Introduction: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a potentially life-threatening complication of diabetes mellitus. Recent epidemiological studies indicate that hospitalizations for DKA in the U.S. are increasing. Epidemiological studies from India are limited. We undertook this observational study to analyse the clinical profiles of DKA in adults in south India. Methods: This study was conducted in at a tertiary care center in Andhra Pradesh for one year from Aug 2010 to July 2011. Diagnosis of DKA was made by the presence of (1) Plasma glucose level of 250mg/dl or higher (2) Serum bicarbonate level of 15mEq/lt or lower (3) Arterial blood pH of 7.3 or lower or a venous blood pH of 7.25 or lower (4) Presence of moderate or large urine ketones. All the patients were treated with institutional treatment protocol. Results: Of 27 patients, 22(81%) had type2 diabetes and 5(19%) had type 1 DM .10 were females and 17 males. Age of the patients ranged between 18 to 70 years, with an average of 45.3 years. Precipitating factors were present in 60% of the admissions. Non-compliance or discontinuation of drug therapy was seen in fifty per cent of patients. Average length of hospital stay was slightly longer in type 1 than type 2 DM patients Conclusion: A significant proportion of DKA occurs in patients with type 2 diabetes and many of these cases can be prevented with proper patient education and effective communication with a health care provider during an inter-current illness.

SUMMARYThis paper examines the characteristics of a foundation year 2 post in psychiatry from the Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland

Background: Snake-bite is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in tropical countries. In India, there are 216 species of snakes, of which only four (cobra, krait, Russell’s viper and saw scaled viper) are venomous. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the epidemiological profile, clinical features, complications and mortality rate of snake bite victims admitted in a tertiary care hospital in Andhra Pradesh, India. Methods: The study was conducted at Mamata General Hospital, khammam from June 2010 to May 2012. A total of 39 cases with history of snake bite were analysed. Results: Out of 39 cases, majority of the cases were observed in the age group 20-50 year (66%). High incidence of snake bite was observed in males 62%). The common victims were farmers and housewives. The bite was commonly encountered while walking bare foot (30%) followed by while sleeping (14%). Fifty Four percent of victim were bitten during outdoor and agriculture related activities. Maximum number of cases (54%) presented within 12 hour of snake bite and 66% cases had 1-5 days of hospital stay. Majority (82%) were bitten on the legs below knee. Localized oedema at the site of bite was present in 70% victim. Fang/teeth marks were noted in (41%) cases. There were 59% neurotoxic snake bites, 26% haemolytic, 5% mixed and 8% non-poisonous snake bites. Most of the cases developed cellulitis at the site of snake bite (21%), shock (12%), and acute kidney injury (8%). One tenth of the cases required assisted ventilation and overall mortality rate was 8%.Conclusion: Snakebites are still common in the rural population of India. There is need to educate the public about the preventive measures of snake bite, advantages of early hospital referral and treatment.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hren.v12i1.11981        Health Renaissance 2014;12(1):24-28

Objective: To determine the prevalence of chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) in a tertiary care center and to identify the clinical profile of chronic AF in hospitalized patients. Methods: All patients admitted to Mamata General Hospital in medicine/cardiology wards with chronic AF (persistent and permanent) during the period January 2012 to December 2012 were included into the study. The principal exclusion criteria were new onset AF and acute AF. Results: During the study period, 49 patients were admitted with chronic AF with an average of 45.44 years. A slight female dominance was seen with male: female ratio of 1:1.2. Half of the patients (51%) were below the age 50 years. The elderly age group comprised of only 16.3% of cases. The commonest presenting complaint was dyspnea followed by palpitation. Rheumatic valvular heart disease was seen more commonly in people below the age of 50 years whereas hypertension and ischemic heart disease after 50 years. Heart failure was the commonest condition associated with the chronic AF and was the cause of hospitalization in almost fifty percent of cases Conclusion: Chronic AF is still a cause of concern in India in people below the age of 50 years due to high prevalence of rheumatic fever inspite of advances in the medical field.