Japanese encephalitis (JE) is numerically the most important global cause of encephalitis and so far confirmed to have caused major epidemics in India. Most of the reported studies have been in children. This largest study involving only adults, belonging to four epidemics, is being reported from Gorakhpur. The aim of this study is to detail the acute clinical profile (not viral) outcome and to classify the sequelae at discharge. This prospective study involved 1,282 adult patients initially diagnosed as JE admitted during the epidemics of 1978, 1980, 1988, and 1989, on identical clinical presentation and CSF examination. In the meantime, the diagnosis of JE was confirmed by serological and/or virological studies in only a representative number of samples (649 of 1,282 cases). Eighty-three left against medical advice (LAMA) at various stages, so 1,199 of 1,282 were available for the study. Peak incidence of [1,061 of 1,282 (83%)] of clinically suspected cases was from September 15 to November 2. Serum IgM and IgG were positive in high titers in 50.87% (330 of 649) and IgM positive in CSF in 88.75% (109 of 123) of the cases. JE virus could be isolated from CSF and brain tissue in 5 of 5 and 4 of 5 samples, respectively. Altered sensorium (AS) in (96%), convulsions (86%), and headache (85%) were the main symptoms for hospitalization by the third day of the onset. Other neurological features included hyperkinetic movements in 593 of 1,282 (46%)-choreoathetoid in 490 (83%) and bizarre, ill-defined in 103 (17%). The features of brain stem involvement consisted of opsoclonus (20%), gaze palsies (16%), and pupillary changes (48%) with waxing and waning character. Cerebellar signs were distinctly absent. Dystonia and decerebrate rigidity was observed in 43 and 6%, respectively, paralytic features in 17% and seizures in 30%. Many non-neurological features of prognostic importance included abnormal breathing patterns (ABP) (45%), pulmonary edema (PO) (33%), and upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (UGIH) (16%). Injection dexamethasone was used in 1978 in all 208 cases, including 21 of PO. Patients were later randomized alternately in dexa and non-dexa groups. Forty-six cases of PO from the non-dexa group were transferred to the dexa group as an ultimate life-saving measure. Thus, it was administered in 737 of 1,199 patients including 529 patients from the later epidemics in doses of 4 mg IV every 8 h for 7 days. Of 1,199, 462 did not receive it. There was no significant difference in mortality (p > 0.05) between the dexa (42.47%) and the non-dexa group (42.86%). All PO cases expired; so after the exclusion of the PO cases from dexa group, the difference of 6.14% (42.86 and 36.72) became significant (p < 0.01) (511 of 1,199 (43%) expired, [320 of 511 (63%) died within 3 days of hospitalization]). Out of a total of 1,199 patients treated, 688 (57%) were discharged; 23 of 688 (3%) without any sequelae and 665 of 688 (97%) with neuropsychiatric deficits classified into nine groups. During the four epidemics, the diagnosis of JE w...

Japanese encephalitis, the commonest Arbovirus encephalitis, has been endemic in many parts of Asia, the Pacific Islands, and India; also, there have been many epidemics. Most of the post JE cases have been associated with neurological and neuropsychiatric deficits but have not been properly classified and followed. Practically all the previous studies were in children or young adults. The aim of this study, involving only adult cases, the largest ever being reported, has been to follow the 688/1,199 survivors of JE patients out of 1,282 of acute cases admitted during four epidemics for a period of 14 years after properly classifying the sequelae. This prospective study was conducted in B.R.D. Medical College Gorakhpur (India), involving 665/688 post JE cases with neuropsychiatric deficits from four epidemics of 1978, 1980, 1988 and 1989 which were properly classified in nine groups. While the first epidemic of 1978 was being studied, more disastrous episodes flared up and the patients were subsequently added. Hence, the total duration of this prospective study was from November 1978 to December 2003. There were 14 defaulted initially from 688 followed (23/688 without sequelae and 665/688 with neuropsychiatric deficits), and later 130 were lost from time to time at various stages of follow up. Four out of 23/688 discharged without any deficit had to be readmitted for bizarre movements, assaultative behaviour and euphoria without fever and altered sensorium. All of them improved by symptomatic treatment. Progressive improvement occurred in all the parameters consisting of psychological disturbances, higher cerebral dysfunction, speech disorders (dysphonia, dysarthria, dysphasias, apraxia and agnosia), extra pyramidal, pyramidal features, and hypothalamic disturbances, cranial nerves including pupils and fundi and seizures. Maximum cases improved between 6 months (55%) to 1 year (78%). Only some features improved between 5 to 14 years. Four patients of hemiplegia remained bed ridden. Some non disabling features like dysarthria and corticospinal features without paralysis persisted in 5% (95% improved) and 74% (26% improved) respectively. One patient with bizarre movement and nine with marked tremors could not regain normalcy. A large number of patients of JE are left with several minor or gross residual neuropsychiatric and neurological features after the acute phase. In this series also the discharged patients with neurological deficits who were quite disabled initially and needed constant care by family members and also those who required some help intermittently improved with passage of time and eventually returned to normal life. Some of them were left with non-disabling residual neurological signs even after 14 years. Fourteen of 544 (3%) could not return to their livelihood.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined as the presence of kidney damage. Hypothyroidism is prevalent in patients with CKD, including those on dialysis. The present observational cross-sectional study included 120 patients (70 subjects and 50 controls) who had previously been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and primary hypothyroidism, as well as those who presented with primary hypothyroidism alone. Serological Estimation of Anti-TPO Antibody, T3, T4 and TSH levels were done as per standard protocol. We enrolled 120 patients, 70 of whom had hypothyroidism in addition to CKD and 50 of whom had hypothyroidism without CKD. Twenty percent of the cases tested positive for anti-TPO antibodies, while 80 % tested negative for anti-TPO antibodies. 71.5 % of positive cases were female, while 28.5 % were male. Among the controls, 74% were positive for anti-TPO antibodies, and 26% were negative. 64.9 % of the positive controls were female, while 35.1 % were male.Our findings indicate that primary hypothyroidism is prevalent in a subgroup of patients with chronic kidney disease. The non-autoimmune mechanism appears to be more prevalent. However, additional multi-centric studies will be necessary to improve the reliability and generalizability of the current study's observations.

Introduction-Atrial brillation is characterized by disorganized, rapid and irregular atrial activation with loss of atrial contraction and an irregular ventricular rate determined by atrio-ventricular nodal conduction. Atrial brillation is the most common sustained arrhythmia and major public health problems. The present study aimed to nd out possible underlying etiologies for atrial brillation. Method- In this study, total of 100 patients of age >18 years with patients with clinically and electrocardiographically proven atrial brillation were included. However, patients of age <18 years with Arrhythmia other than atrial brillation were excluded. The etiology of atrial brillation is evaluated using electrocardiogram and transthoracic echocardiogram, and correlation with the ndings of parasternal long-axis view of left atrial size. Results- The majority of patients were between the ages of 49 and 55, with a mean age of 50.74 ±15.3. Additionally, the male/female ratio in the overall enrolled cases was 23:27, indicating female dominance. The mean body mass index and initials of the patients were gathered. The mean size of the left atrium was 5.00±1.10. Majority of the patients fell in 5-6 cm left atrial size with rheumatic heart disease diagnosis followed by 4-5 cm left atrial size with dilated cardiomyopathy diagnosis. Conclusion- Most patients had rheumatic heart disease, as opposed to dilated cardiomyopathy or ischaemic heart disease. The systemic hypertension, age, electrolytes imbalance and obesity are the major leading cause to causes the arrhythmic changes. Statistically, a signicant difference association of diagnosis with left atrial size were observed.

Background: The incidence and prevalence rates of heart failure (HF) are increasing worldwide. The prevalence of HF rises exponentially with increasing age and affects 4% to 8% of people older than 65. The leading causes of HF in India include coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes, hypertension, rheumatic valvular heart diseases and primary cardiac muscle diseases. Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is still a common cause of HF in India. Epidemiological studies have estimated that 1.5% to 2% population experience HF and it is the main reason for hospital admission of elderly patients. The objective of this study was to establish the etiological factors of heart failureMethods: A cross sectional study of 150 patients above the age of 18 years presented with heart failure diagnosed clinically on the basis of Framingham heart failure criteria and echocardiography, done over a period of one year in department of medicine in BRD medical college Gorakhpur Uttar Pradesh.Results: A total of 150 patients were include in this analysis the majority of patients were male (57.3%). Age of patients ranged from 18 - 70 years and 84% patients were above the age of 40 years.Conclusions: Heart failure was more prevalent in elderly male above 40 years of age. Myocardial infarction, DCMP, rheumatic heart disease and hypertensive heart failure are the common etiology leading to heart failure.