Objective To evaluate morbidity prototype of 27th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (ISEA). Methods Twenty-six team members of 27th ISEA wintered over at the Indian Antarctic Station, Maitri, from February 2008 to January 2009. The morbidity pattern was sourced from the medical records. Preexisting illnesses were also considered in this analysis. Results The team consisted of men between 27 and 59 years of age (mean age, 43 years). Nine team members had preexisting illnesses. A total of 93 illness incidents were recorded during the stay in Antarctica. Most of these (27) were musculoskeletal injuries, bruises, and lacerations. Thirty-two (34%) incidents of illness were noted under the purview of medicine; 26 (28%), surgery; 15 (16%), orthopedics; 9 (10%), otorhinolaryngology; 8 (9%), ophthalmology; 2 (2%), dentistry; and 3 (3%), psychiatry. Oral ulcers were noted in 8 (8%) participants primarily during early wintering. Conclusions Injuries continue to be the most common cause of morbidity in Antarctica. Nutritional deficiencies and cold-related injuries are relatively less common.

The article attempts to analyze the disease burden in a healthy, pre-screened population subjected to prolonged residence in the hostile environment of Antarctica. This retrospective epidemiological study was conducted utilizing data from medical consultation room on board the Indian Antarctic expedition vessels and at Indian Antarctic station, Maitri from seven Indian Scientific Expeditions to Antarctica (ISEA). The study group (n=327) consisted of 325 men and two women. The total number of medical room consultations was 1989. Maximum consultations were for injuries (27.25%); 14.68% were musculoskeletal and 10.31% were bruises and lacerations. Disturbances of gastrointestinal tract (19.66%) were the second most common disorders. Psychological disturbances accounted for 2.66% consultations. Cold injuries constituted 2.01% consultations and photophthalmia accounted for 1.06% consultations.

Background:In view of the growing human activities in Antarctica and increasing exposure of humans to prolonged isolation under extreme conditions, such as space travel and deep sea diving, it is necessary to study the psychological adaptation to such an environment. The current study aimed to assess the psychological adaptation of Indian expeditioners to prolonged residence in Antarctica.Materials and Methods:Twenty-four winter team members of 27th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica were administered seven instruments 5 times during the expedition. The instruments measured cognition and memory, general psychological health and tobacco, and alcohol consumption.Results:Alcohol consumption was maximum during the initial days of arrival on the continent and decreased thereafter, with another spike during the peak of the winter season. Externalized psychological reactions peaked during the midwinter period. Anxiety and insomnia peaked during the coldest period whereas depressive symptoms did not change throughout the expedition. Cognition was at its worst during the final phase of Antarctic residence. No significant change was noted in the third quarter of wintering.Conclusion:Each phase of Antarctic residence could be equated with a particular stage in psychological adaptation. There was no third quarter phenomenon.

To analyze the effect of duration of use of personal listening devices on hearing impairment in young adults. Hospital-based cross-sectional study. Department of ENT, NEIGRIHMS, India. 50 consenting undergraduate medical students. This study was conducted over a period of 2 months. After eliminating all previous and current otological pathologies, Pure Tone Audiometry was conducted on each subject for both air and bone conducted sound stimuli. The subjects were divided into different groups based on duration of exposure. The audiograms were then closely evaluated for the existence of an association between the duration of personal listening devices (PLD) use and hearing impairment. The data was then evaluated by Chi Square test and Mann-Whitney U test using GraphPad InStat 3 software for the existence of an association between the duration of PLD usage and hearing impairment. The hearing thresholds varied only in isolated frequencies irrespective of the categorisation of duration of exposure to PLDs. There was no significant association between duration of use of personal listening devices and hearing impairment in young adults.