Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent sleep disorder known to be associated with cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome (MetS). The studies on OSA burden in MetS patients in India is scarce. Aim: To study prevalence of OSA in MetS and to study factors associated with OSA among MetS. Settings and design: Hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted for 2 years (year 2015-2016) at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Pune. Materials and Methods: MetS patients aged ≥18 years, of either sex were included in this study. Polysomnography was performed in all patients and grading of OSA severity was based on the apneahypopnea index (AHI). Statistical analysis: Data was analyzed in SPSS V:20. To find association of OSA with MetS and its components, statistical tests like chi-square, independent student t-test and One-way ANOVA test were applied. Results: Study prevalence of OSA among MetS patients was 73.3%. Relatively older age group (50.68±14.15years), male sex (81.0%), obesity (84.4%). Among OSA group, Mild OSA was present in 40.91%, moderate grade OSA in 31.8% and severe grade OSA in 27.27%. Severe grade OSA was significantly associated with older age (45.67 ± 14.3 years), obesity (35.75±8.3 Kg/m2), higher serum triglyceride and lower HDL-C levels, larger waist (110.75±11.9cm) and neck circumference (40.58±5.2cm). Conclusions: Central obesity, larger waist circumference, dyslipidemia were striking features of OSA patients that were significantly associated with severe grades of OSA. A trend of increased fasting blood sugar levels, systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were noted in severe OSA groups. Thus, OSA is associated with higher levels of metabolic dysfunction.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne communicable disease which one of the leading causes of morbidity and deaths worldwide (ranking above AIDS).1 Probability of detecting AFB on sputum is greatly associated by the radiological findings.8 Because of the apparent widespread difficulty in recognizing the radiographic manifestations of pulmonary tuberculosis, it will be beneficial to review the spectrum of chest x-ray abnormalities in sputum positive tuberculosis patients. Aim: To study clinical features, radiological features and comorbidities among newly detected sputum positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Settings and design: The hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted from the year 2016-2018 at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Mangalore. Methodology : Newly diagnosed smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis aged between 18-70 years attending OPD/IPD of Department of Respiratory Medicine, who fulfilled study eligibility criteria were included. Comprehensive clinical assessment was conducted and information regarding socio-demographic profile, comorbidities were noted. Chest x-ray PA view was performed for all patients. Statistical A nalysis: Data was analyzed in SPSS V:20. Data is presented in frequency, percentages. Chisquare, was applied to test significance of association. Results: A total of 563 (309 elderly and 254 adult) patients participated in study. Male predominance was noted (64.7%). Cough (94.1%) and expectoration (83.8%) were the most common symptoms. High bacillary load (3+) and bilateral lungs involvement were predominant among elderly patients (75.6%). Cavitary lesions were predominant among adults. Infiltration (39.6%), cavitary lesions (37.7%) and consolidation (37.5%) were most common lesions seen in chest x-ray. Cavitary lesions were found in higher percentage among patients with higher bacterial load of 2+and 3+ (36.8% and 33.0% respectively). Bilateral lesions were associated with TB patients with diabetes mellitus (69.7%). Conclusions: Infiltration and cavitary lesions among newly diagnosed sputum positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Lower zone involvement among female group and Bilateral involvement and atypical lesions among PTB patients with diabetes mellitus were noted. Higher rates of co-morbid conditions like diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disorders and COPD among elderly TB patients, higher bacillary load and atypical findings among diabetics warrant need for active screening.

Background: Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is an effective self-management tool to achieve desirable haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) targets and minimizing glucose variability, when the data is timely reviewed and acted upon by healthcare providers and diabetic patients to actively modify behaviour and/or adjust treatment. SMBG improves patient’s disease awareness and participation in disease management.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Basaveshwara Hospital, Chitradurga, to estimate percentage of type-2 diabetics practicing SMBG and to assess social factors associated with SMBG practice. Diabetic patients in age-group of 18-75 years were included in the study. Information was collected by interview technique, clinical examination and review of laboratory reports.Results: A 21.5% patients were practicing SMBG. SMBG practice was significantly higher among patients who were urban-area residents (25.0%), with higher educational qualifications (42.2% of patients who studied up-to 12th standard and/or above), with better awareness of diabetes self-management (28.9%) and with better socio-economic status (35.3%). Majority of patients with longer duration of diabetes (4.9±1.5 years), relatively older age group (57.3±2.5 years), with associated co-morbid conditions (26.8%) were found to be practicing SMBG. HbA1c levels were significantly lower among SMBG practicing group (6.6±0.7%).Conclusions: Better health literacy, higher educational qualifications, financial stability, easier access to specialized anti-diabetic health-care are favourable factors for SMBG practice. Study also highlighted favourable effect of SMBG practice on effective achievement of target HbA1c levels.