Introduction: Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) which is an enveloped positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus. Initial steps of the infection involve binding of the spike protein (S) of the virus to Angiotensin Converting Enzyme-2 (ACE-2) receptor on the mucosal surfaces of various organs like lungs, kidney, heart, intestine. Pathogenesis of complications are still poorly understood. Aim: This study was designed to find out the baseline biochemical parameters at the time of admission which may predict outcome in COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: This observational study was conducted in a dedicated COVID-19 hospital, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (Dr. RMLIMS), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, from 1st July, 2020 to 30th November, 2020. A total of 109 moderate to severe COVID-19 pneumonia patients who required Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission, were enrolled. Based on their outcome, patients were divided into two groups: “Survived” and “Expired”. Biochemical characteristics of patients were compared among the two groups using univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: On Univariate analysis Coagulation profile, Prothrombin Time (PT), International Normalised Ratio (INR), Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT) and D-Dimer values were raised significantly in the expired group. Among other acute phase reactants Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and Creatinine Phosphokinase-MB (CPKMB) were raised in expired group and this difference was significant statistically too. On Multivariate analysis among all acute phase reactant only IL-6 was increased significantly. All other variables were found to be non significantly associated with mortality, statistically (p-value <0.05). Conclusion: Baseline biochemical parameters have prognostic values in COVID-19 patients. Raised IL-6 levels can be viewed as an independent predictor of mortality among COVID-19 patients at the time of admission in ICU.

Introduction: TB is an infectious disease caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis which typically affects the lungs. The disease is spread by the people who are sick with active pulmonary TB. Up to half of TB survivors have some form of persistent pulmonary symptom despite microbiologic cure. The aim of the study was to assess the symptomatic post tuberculosis patients by using spirometry and chest x ray. Material and methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital after seeking clearance from the Institutional Ethical Committee. The aim of the study was to assess the symptomatic post tuberculosis patients by using spirometry and chest x ray. The study duration was from 1 st November 2018 to 31 st October 2019 and 100 patients were enrolled in the study. Data was collected from patients who presented with symptoms within 6 months of completing their treatment for tuberculosis. Results: All the patients (post tubercular) enrolled in the study had symptoms (in some form) even after full course of antitubercular treatment and bacteriological cure and among these breathlessness was the most common presenting symptom (96%) followed by cough (58%). Maximum patients had abnormal findings on chest examination (80%). Fibrosis followed by cavitary lesions were the most common findings on chest x ray in post tuberculosis patients. Maximum patients had restriction (56%) in their spirometry followed by mixed pattern (23%). Conclusion: In patients with restriction on spirometry and having symptom of breathlessness and cough, reassurance and pulmonary rehabilitation may play a major role in relieving their symptoms whereas in patients with mixed or obstructive pattern on spirometry, bronchodilator therapy along with pulmonary rehabilitation may be helpful in relieving their symptoms post tuberculosis treatment.

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