Study of co-morbidities in patients of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at a tertiary hospital

Background: Comorbidities are important events in the natural history of the disease and have a negative effect on the morbidity and mortality of COPD patients. It is increasingly recognized that, many patients with COPD have co-morbidities that have a major impact on quality of life and survival. Present study aims at studying the prevalence and effects of comorbidities in COPD patients at a tertiary hospital. Material and Methods: Present study was cross sectional, observational study conducted in COPD patients, diagnosed for more than 5 years, underwent investigations for various comorbidities. Results: In present study, 130 COPD patients were studied for various co-morbidities. Majority of cases were from 50 -64 years age group (49.23 %) and were male (97.69 %). Smoking was major factor noted among cases (73.85 %), out of them 23.96 % were current smoker. Mean duration since quitting of smoking was 7.24 ± 5.83 years. Comorbidities noted in present study were systemic hypertension (42.31 %), GERD and gastric ulceration (31.54 %), type 2 diabetes mellitus (30.77 %), metabolic syndrome (29.23 %), anemia (11.54 %), left sided cardiac abnormalities (10.77 %), depression (8.46 %), obstructive sleep apnea (6.92 %), ischemic heart disease (6.15 %), osteoporosis (4.62 %), bronchiectasis (2.31 %) and lung cancer (0.77 %). Conclusion: Comorbidities noted in present study were hypertension, GERD, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, anaemia, left sided cardiac abnormalities and depression.

Clinical profile of acute myocardial infarction in the young

Background: There is a rising incidence of acute myocardial infarction (MI) in young adults. It is important to identify and control cardiovascular risk factors at an early age to prevent the incidence in cases of young MI. Aim: To study the clinical profile of acute myocardial infarction in young patients. Material and Methods: Patients aged 40 years or younger admitted to with a diagnosis of acute MI were studied for clinical presentations, risk factors and management outcome. Results: Majority of patients presented with typical chest pain. 5 patients presented with atypical symptoms, one had only sweating, two had heaviness of chest, one had epigastric pain, one had sudden collapse. The most common risk factor was smoking in 68% followed by alcoholism 40%, Obesity 38%, Metabolic syndrome 38%, HTN 28% DM 26%. Of the total 50 patients, 47 (94%) patients survived whereas 3 (6%) patients succumb to death. Conclusion: There is a need to increase awareness among the young population regarding the entity of MI in young hence stressing on modifying life style. This simple measure can make a large difference in preventing the occurrence of MI in young.

A study on the clinical profile and risk factors of ischemic heart disease in women

Background: Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is one of the principle causes of morbidity and of mortality in women1. Ischemic heart disease may manifest clinically as either chronic stable angina or acute coronary syndrome2 (ACS). Traditional risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, etc.) contribute to the development of IHD in both women and men. Some risk factors are unique to women (e.g., pregnancy-related complications, menopause), which cause increased mortality in women Aim: To study the risk factors and clinical profile of ischemic heart disease in women. Materials And Methods: Hospital-based prospective, cross-sectional study done in 50 patients with ischemic heart disease. Patients with a history of Chest pain suggestive of ischemic heart diseases and Electrocardiogram and cardiac biomarkers suggestive of ischemic heart disease were included in the study. Results: Maximum incidence of ischemic heart diseases is seen in the 6th decade. Mean age is 58.92 + 2.8years. 64%of the patients presented with chest pain, and 36% patients presented without any chest pain. After chest pain, the most common symptom was palpitations, seen in 56% patients, followed by sweating (44%). 30% presented to the medical facility within 3hours. 88% were diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome, and 12% were diagnosed with chronic stable angina. Women specific risk factors include the pregnancy-related complications seen in 10% patients, menopause attained in 86% patients, PCOS seen in 08% patients, use of oral contraceptive pills noticed in 08% patients, Other risk factors identified were hypothyroidism in 16% patients, connective tissue disorders like rheumatoid arthritis seen in 12% of the patients. Conclusion: Awareness regarding atypical symptoms as well as other symptoms of IHD should be created among women to avoid delayed complications. Simple lifestyle modifications like physical activity, diet modifications, etc., will reduce the number of women at risk for IHD.