BackgroundFingerprints studied by dermatoglyphics are unique for a given individual. It depends on the genetic makeup of an individual. Hypertension, a harbinger of many complications, is determined by genetic and environmental factors. In this observational study, we tried to find an association of palmar dermatoglyphic parameters and hypertension.MethodTwo hundred fifty known hypertensives as cases and 250 normotensives as controls were enrolled after considering inclusion and exclusion criteria. Dermatoglyphic patterns on tips of fingers obtained by digital imaging were noted in both the groups, and “atd” angle was calculated using “screen protractor” software. Collected data were statistically analyzed to find any association between dermatoglyphic qualitative and dermatoglyphic quantitative patterns and hypertension.ResultMean “atd” angle was higher in cases than in controls. Comparison of dermatoglyphic patterns in both the groups in various ways—both hands together, the right hand and left hand separately, similar fingers on right and left hand together, and similar fingers separately—was performed which revealed that at every level, whorls were more frequent in cases than in controls and that distribution of dermatoglyphic patterns were statistically significant in cases than in controls.ConclusionFingerprint patterns can be reliably used to identify individuals likely at risk for hypertension, and accordingly, preventive measures can be targeted. This subject area demands a need for further research and analysis with large sample size to allow dermatoglyphics to evolve into a cost-effective and handy tool for identifying individuals at risk of hypertension.

Aim: To study the various modes of presentation of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: A total number of 60 patients of AMI admitted in various teaching hospitals of Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, were studied. The following factors were evaluated: onset of symptoms, mode of presentation, site of infarction, and hospital outcome. Results: Out of 60 patients, 12 (20%) presented with atypical symptoms. The maximum incidence AMI with atypical symptoms was in the age group of 65-74 yr (30.7 %), followed by the age group of 55-64 yr (25%). No patient presented with atypical symptoms below 30 yr. Patients experiencing MI without chest pain tended to be older (mean age 61 vs 58 yr) and were women (35% vs 12.5%); 80% of patients presented with chest pain followed by dyspnea (28.3%) and vomiting (13.3%). The in-hospital mortality of MI patients who presented with typical and atypical symptoms were 16.6% and 33.3%, respectively. In this study, anteroseptal infarction was most common (31.6%). Fifty percent of infe rior-wall MI patients presented with atypical symptoms. Conclusion: In this study, there was no significant association between onset of MI and circadian pattern.

Objective: This study was done with the main objective of evaluating the effect of antihypertensive medications on the quality of life in patients who were previously untreated. Methods: In this prospective study, 114 patients were included. WHO-QOL BREF questionnaire was used to evaluate the quality of life. Results: The study reported no significant difference in any of the four domains from baseline to end of the study scores. Although there was an increase in physical health and psychological function domain scores, the increase was not statistically significant. The results also noted that patient's perception of overall quality of life did not significantly improve over the study period. However, the patient's perception of satisfaction with health significantly improved over the study period. The domain scores had a positive correlation with hypertension control. Physical health and environmental condition domains showed a statistically significant correlation with mean change in blood pressure. The quality of life did not vary significantly in different age groups. The quality of life did not significantly differ between different classes of antihypertensive drugs used. Conclusion:The quality of life in hypertensive patients who were previously untreated significantly correlated with hypertension control. There was no difference among different classes of drugs or different age group as for as the effect on quality of life is concerned.

Melioidosis is an emerging disease in our country caused by the bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei. Melioidosis can virtually affect any organ. It has varying clinical presentations ranging from pneumonia to fatal sepsis. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement in melioidosis is rare. We present a case of CNS melioidosis from South India. As the incidence of diabetes is increasing in our country varying manifestations of melioidosis will be seen in routine clinical practice. Melioidosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intracranial abscess and meningoencephalitis, especially in diabetics.