Context:Needle-stick injuries (NSIs) pose a great occupational risk of blood-borne disease transmission in health-care workers (HCWs). Diseases of primary significance include hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus infection.Aims:This study aimed to check the awareness regarding the health hazards associated with NSIs and awareness regarding postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) and hepatitis B vaccination in HCWs.Settings and Design:This is a cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary care government hospital.Subjects and Methods:A sample size of 100 HCWs, which consisted of 20 residents, 20 interns, 20 lab assistants, 20 nurses, and 20 Class IV workers, was taken. A predefined questionnaire was used and answers were documented.Statistical Analysis Used:Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis.Results:Out of the 100 HCWs enrolled in the study, 45% had a history of NSI during their career, the highest count was seen in Class IV workers i.e. 14 [70%]. Only 21% of the HCWs knew about the diseases transmitted by NSI. Only 30% of Class IV workers were aware of hepatitis B vaccination and none of them were vaccinated. Quite a good number of HCWs were aware regarding the first step to be undertaken in case of NSI. However, their knowledge regarding PEP was not up to the mark.Conclusions:NSIs were seen in all the categories of HCWs, but the awareness regarding health hazards due to NSI was inadequate. Except Class IV workers, rest of the HCWs were overall aware regarding hepatitis B vaccination. There is a need to give emphasis as regards to awareness of PEP in case of a NSI.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem disorder characterized by production of numerous autoantibodies, some of which have pathogenic consequences and result in considerable morbidity. Herein, we present a case of 48-year-old female with SLE having autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune thrombocytopenia, renal involvement, and recurrent flares of skin manifestations. She did not respond to the conventional therapy and was controlled and treated with Rituximab, a chimeric, monoclonal antiCD20 antibody, which specifically depletes B lymphocytes.

Context: Cardiovascular diseases in diabetic patients are mostly asymptomatic due to autonomic neuropathy. Many patients with left ventricular dysfunction remain undiagnosed and untreated until advance disease causes disability. This delay could be avoided if screening techniques are used to identify left ventricular dysfunction in its preclinical phase. Aims: This study was undertaken to find out the incidence of electrocardiographic (ECG) and 2D echocardiographic (2 D Echo) abnormalities in diabetic patients without cardiovascular symptoms. The correlation of control of diabetes with these abnormalities was also studied. Settings and Design: A hospital-based, cross-sectional observational study. Methods and Material: Type 2 diabetic patients (outpatient and indoor) without cardiovascular symptoms like palpitations, chest pain, syncope, and breathlessness were included in the study. Their ECG and 2D Echo findings were noted and correlated with their blood sugar levels. Statistical Analysis Used: Chi-square test. Results: Type 2 diabetic patients without cardiovascular symptoms had significant abnormal findings on ECG and 2D Echo. Control of postprandial blood sugar level was of primary importance to prevent cardiovascular abnormalities. Conclusions: Type 2 diabetics without cardiovascular symptoms must be screened for cardiovascular abnormalities so that early interventions can be done to prevent further progression to symptomatic cardiovascular abnormalities. There is a significant number of people having normal ECG but abnormal 2D Echo and vice versa, so not only ECG but also 2D Echo should be done to predict cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetic patients without cardiovascular symptoms.

Background: Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is an important complication of Diabetes Mellitus (DM). PAD is a part of systemic illness caused by atherosclerosis, resulting in arterial narrowing. Hence PAD is a marker of atherosclerosis in other parts of the vascular system, especially in the arteries supplying the brain and heart. Over two - third of the patients with PAD are asymptomatic, resulting in inadequate treatment of their risk factors. There is a need to screen every DM patient for effective treatment of PAD and the risk factors. Ankle-brachial Index (ABI) is a useful test for the same. Objective: The objective of the study was to find out the incidence of PAD in DM and the factors affecting it. Materials and Methods: It was a hospital-based prospective observational study. In all, 200 diabetic patients from tertiary care hospital (outpatient and indoor) were screened for PAD using ABI, and those showing ABI < 0.9 were further confirmed using Duplex Ultrasonography (DUS). Smokers and patients with a previous history of lower limb surgery, vasculopathy, or trauma were excluded from the study. Factors affecting the incidence of PAD were also studied. Results: Overall incidence of PAD was 10% using ABI as a screening test, confirmed with DUS. Male gender, aging, obesity, duration of DM, poor control of DM, hypertension, coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, hyperlipidemia, and presence of retinopathy were found to be adversely affecting risk factors for PAD. Conclusion: ABI is a bedside, simple, reliable, non-invasive, and cost-effective clinical test for diagnosing PAD, a marker of atherosclerosis in the body. There is a need to screen for PAD, even in asymptomatic patients, for its early detection and management of risk factors.

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