BACKGROUND Anaemia is a very frequently occurring disorder associated with hypothyroidism especially in the elderly age group. Both conditions have similar presentations and are often confused with the nonspecific symptoms of old age. Although there is abundant data regarding relationships between hypothyroidism and anaemia in the general population, studies on the association between anaemia in hypothyroidism in the elderly population and the types of anaemia associated with elderly hypothyroidism are limited. In view of these considerations the current study, conducted at Gauhati Medical College, Guwahati, Assam, aims to seek the morphological types of anaemia associated with elderly hypothyroid patients. METHODS In the study, a total of 125 hypothyroid patients aged 60 years and above attending the outpatient and inpatient ward of the Department of Medicine, GMCH were examined clinically and through necessary investigations and the morphological types of anaemia associated with hypothyroidism were determined. RESULTS It was found that out of 125 elderly hypothyroid patients, the most common morphological type of anaemia was found to be normocytic normochromic type (59.4%) followed by macrocytic anaemia (21.6%) and microcytic hypochromic anaemia (19%). CONCLUSIONS Normocytic normochromic anaemia is the most common morphological type of anaemia associated in elderly hypothyroid patients, followed by macrocytic anaemia and microcytic anaemia.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a multi-factorial disease that can affect all ocular structures. With this a study was conducted to isolate and identify the organisms from the conjunctival flora of normal and diabetic population. Materials and methods: Study was conducted in department of Microbiology, GSL Medical College, Rajahmundry. Surgically removed cataract lens were collected from diabetic and nondiabetic individuals in sterile nutrient broth and transported immediately to Microbiology laboratory for culture and sensitivity testing, processed and identified as per the standard protocol. Isolates were subjected to antibiotic sensitivity analysis using Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Results: During the study period, 30 samples each were collected from diabetic and non-diabetic individuals who underwent cataract. Culture positive results were more (76.6%) in diabetic patients; Isolate wise, gram positive cocci were 53.3%, 57%, gram positive bacilli (GPB) were 26.6% each and gramnegative bacilli (GNB) were 3.3%, 19.8% respectively in non-diabetic and diabetic patients. statistically the difference was not significant. And the isolates were increased with age. Conclusion: The prevalence of isolation was almost similar among the non-diabetics and diabetic population. In both groups, rate of isolation was increased with age and no significant drug resistance was observed.

Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a known risk factor of tuberculosis (TB). Moreover, the risk of getting TB is 3 times more among diabetics compared to the non-diabetics. Materials and methods: Study was conducted in department of Microbiology, GSL Medical College, Rajahmundry. Individuals aged ≥ 18yeras were included in the study. The study participants were divided into two groups. Group A consist of newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis (PT) individuals and individuals on anti-tuberculosis treatment (ATT) were included in group B. Two spot sputum samples were collected from the participants, same day sputum collection approach; smear was stained by Ziehl Neelsen staining technique. Blood sample was collected and analyzed by HbA1C technique for sugar estimation. Results: In group A, 17%, 33% and 50% individuals were diagnosed to be normal, prediabetic and diabetic respectively. Whereas this was 7%, 20% and 73% respectively among group B. Age wise, individuals with diabetes were increased in both groups. Conclusion: Diabetes is more among the individuals who are on ATT compared to newly diagnosed PT cases. Studies with large sample size are recommended.Several studies regarding DM and TB were reported but the results are ambiguous. Some studies reported low [7,8] smear positivity among DM and high-grade smear positivity [9,10] was also reported. Moreover, the present study did not find reports on DM and TB from East Godavari district where the burden of TB is high. With this a study was planned with an aim to find the prevalence of DM among newly diagnosed PT and individuals on antituberculosis treatment (ATT).