Objectives: We planned this study to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and its correlation with quality of life (QOL) in these patients. Material and methods: Eighty-eight patients (76 females) were included in this cross-sectional study. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to assess anxiety and depression. Quality of life was measured using the World Health Organization WHOQOL-BREF. The severity of pain was measured by 100-millimetre-long Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and functional disability was measured by using the Indian version of the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). The disease activity was measured by Disease Activity Score for 28 joints with 3 variables. Results: Probable anxiety and depression were seen in 61 (69%) and 68 (77%) of the patients, respectively. Patients with anxiety had more severe pain (VAS 53.8 ±26.4 vs. 39.7 ±26.1, p < 0.05), and significantly lower scores in all the 4 domains of the WHOQOL-BREF. Patients with depression had more pain (VAS 54.2 ±25.2 vs. 33.5 ±27.3, p < 0.01), higher HAQ scores (1.0 ±0.7 vs. 0.5 ±0.7, p < 0.01), and lower QOL scores. Both anxiety and depression scores had a negative correlation with all the 4 domains of the WHOQOL-BREF. Anxiety had a significant negative effect on psychological (β = -0.58, p < 0.001) and environmental domains (β = -0.39, p < 0.001), while depression had a significant negative effect on psychological (β = -0.57, p < 0.001) and environmental domains (β = -0.53, p < 0.001). Both anxiety and depression predicted more pain in RA patients (β = 0.24, p < 0.001 and β = 0.44, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Anxiety and depression correlated with poor QOL in all 4 domains of the WHOQOL-BREF. Higher HADS scores had a negative effect on all the domains of the WHOQOL-BREF and predicted more severe pain in RA patients. Thus, patients with RA need to be screened and treated for underlying anxiety and depression to improve their QOL, pain, and functional status.

Ultrasound-guided angioplasty is an effective method with good long-term outcomes in selected dialysis patients with peripheral stenosis of AVF.

No abstract

Facial appearance has proved to play a key role in social and psychosocial settings. With the advances in Orthodontics, patients have become more aware about the possibility of correcting malocclusions via Braces. Adults however, face some roadblocks before making a confident decision. Understanding these concerns would help provide optimum treatment to such patients. Aim: To assess the knowledge and attitude of Adult patients towards Orthodontic treatment Materials and Methods : A sample of 205 participants was taken (155 Female and 50 Male) after assessing the sample size within the age group of 18 -35 year of age. A Questionnaire was created on Google forms and circulated to participants using various social media platforms. The data of responses of participants was analyzed on Google forms application itself with the help of pie charts and graphs. Results : Majority of the participants, both with or without braces asserted that age was not a barrier in getting orthodontic treatment done. They also suggested that it was never too late to undergo Orthodontic treatment and that it could be carried out at any age. Majority of the participants, both treated and non-treated cases also believed that Orthodontic treatment improved function and enhanced the Facial appearance. Participants also believed that Orthodontic treatment would boost their confidence and in no way, would wearing braces affect them socially. Conclusion : This survey based questionnaire helped in assessing the attitude of the general adult population towards adult Orthodontic treatment as a whole. It concluded that age is not a barrier in today's times for getting orthodontic treatment done. Moreover, Adult Orthodontics not only improved the function, but also the Aesthetics and Self Esteem of the Adult patient undergoing treatment thus eliminating the earlier notion that Braces can be worn only up till a particular age. Prolonged treatment time was one of the causes of reluctance in many participants; however, the other benefits outweighed the time related inconvenience caused by orthodontic treatment.

The purpose of the study was to observe the effect of combination of a Taping and Iontophoresis or Taping alone in the treatment of Plantar Fasciitis pain. A total of 30 patients (male =16; female=14) were selected as subjects and they were further divided into two groups. Each group comprising of 15 subjects (male=8; female=7). The results of the present study show an improvement in the mean values of Visual Analog Scale, and Foot Functional Index scores after treatment in both groups. But it was found that an improvement was statistical significant more in Taping and Iontophoresis group than Taping group alone. It was concluded that if the patients of plantar fasciitis were treated with combination therapy (Taping & Iontophoresis) then there was noticed significant recovery from pain and disability in them.