International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
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From screens to scores: attitudes towards social media and its impact on medical students' mental health and learning
Get PDFBackground: Medical students frequently use social media for both personal and professional purposes. While it can enhance learning and reduce loneliness, it also poses risks such as anxiety and depression. This study explores usage patterns, attitudes, and impacts on their mental health and learning.
Methods: Preclinical students completed an anonymous questionnaire covering demographics, social media usage, attitudes towards social media in medicine, and mental health assessment via the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS).
Results: Out of 175 students, 126 completed the questionnaire. Most spent 1-5 hours daily on 2-5 social media platforms, with older students spending less time online. The most popular platforms were Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube. About 30.2% used social media solely for personal purposes, while 69.8% used it for both personal and professional activities. Most participants found social media useful for learning and professional growth but had ethical concerns. Nearly half of the participants reported no academic impact from social media use, 37.3% reported negative effects, and 14.3% valued positive effects. A weak positive correlation was found between social media usage and anxiety, but not depression.
Conclusions: Social media shapes educational paradigms, enhancing medical students' learning, collaboration, and professional growth. Perceptions of social media's impact on academics varied among participants, but neither these perceptions nor the time spent on social media significantly affected GPA. The study found a link between social media use and anxiety, but not depression. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for supporting students' mental health and academic success in the digital age
Risk factors of mortality in hospitalized children with severe acute malnutrition
Get PDFBackground: Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) significantly contributes to morbidity and mortality in children globally. Identifying the factors associated with mortality is essential for reducing SAM-related deaths. This study aimed to identify the risk factors for mortality in hospitalized children with SAM.
Methods: A case-control study was conducted at the SAM unit of the department of pediatrics, Institute of Child and Mother Health, Matuail, Dhaka, from January to December 2021. Children who died during hospitalization were classified as cases, while those who survived were controls. Data on socio-demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters were collected. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 22, employing student’s t-test and chi-square test for comparison, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to identify independent risk factors, with significance set at p<0.05.
Results: The mean age of the subjects was 6.38±3.45 months for cases and 10.90±10.00 months for controls, indicating higher mortality in younger children. Mortality was more prevalent among males (61.5% versus 54.6%) and in families with a monthly income <10,000 Tk (53.8% in cases versus 21.9% in controls). Significant risk factors included dermatosis (46.2% versus 4.9%), oral ulcers (46.2% versus 5.5%), hypoglycemia (46.2% versus 3.8%), severe anemia (38.5% versus 2.2%), and septicemia (76.9% versus 29.5%). Multivariate analysis revealed hypoglycemia (OR=9.17, 95% CI 1.44-58.29) and severe anemia (OR=13.42, 95% CI 1.42-126.13) as strong predictors of mortality.
Conclusions: Hypoglycemia and severe anemia are significant contributors to mortality among hospitalized children with SAM
Incidence and pattern of congenital heart disease in children: an observational cross-sectional study
Get PDFBackground: The objective of this study was to analyse the incidence, pattern, and clinical presentation of congenital heart disease in children and evaluate associated risk factors.
Methods: This observational cross-sectional study included 100 children aged 0-14 years diagnosed with CHD at department of cardiac surgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh duration of study was 1 year starting from January to December 2022. Detailed clinical evaluation, echocardiography, and relevant investigations were performed for all cases. Associated anomalies and maternal risk factors were documented.
Results: Of 100 cases, 56% were males and 44% females (ratio 1.27:1). The majority (68%) were diagnosed in the first year of life. Acyanotic CHD predominated (72%) with ventricular septal defect being the most common lesion (30%), followed by atrial septal defect (15%) and patent ductus arteriosus (12%). Among cyanotic CHD (28%), tetralogy of Fallot was most frequent (15%). Common presenting features included breathing difficulty (45%), failure to thrive (38%), and recurrent respiratory infections (35%). Associated anomalies were present in 22% cases, with Down syndrome (8%) being the most common genetic association. Significant maternal risk factors included advanced age (15%) and diabetes mellitus (8%).
Conclusions: The study demonstrated patterns of CHD consistent with global literature while highlighting regional variations. Early detection was achieved in the majority of cases, though late presentation remains a concern. The findings emphasize the need for comprehensive screening programs and improved healthcare access, particularly in resource-limited settings. Understanding these patterns can guide resource allocation and healthcare planning for better management of pediatric cardiac care
Monsoon fasiculation paralysis syndrome: revisited
Get PDFCases of sudden onset external ophthalmoplegia with bulbar and skeletal muscle weakness and fasciculations are noted in this region during the monsoon season. The neurological deficit peaks within 2-3 days with potential risk of respiratory paralysis. Total recovery takes place recovery within 4-8 days if respiratory crises is taken care of. Two such cases who presented with acute onset of flaccid quadriplegia with relative preservation deep tendon jerks are reported here. There was no history of any bites or exposure to known toxins. The patients made spontaneous recovery in one week time
Hook effect: a case study of a giant invasive prolactinoma in pregnancy with falsely low serum prolactin
Get PDFProlactinoma is the most common type of pituitary adenoma characterized by excessive production of the hormone prolactin, while the majority of tumours are benign. A small percentage can develop into more aggressive macro adenocarcinomas, which pose a significant challenge in management and prognosis. High estrogen levels during pregnancy lead to an increase in the size of prolactinomas leading to compression of optic chiasma. Eventually, it manifests as visual symptoms and headaches. Pharmacotherapy with dopamine agonists is the treatment of choice and multidisciplinary management results in successful outcomes. The present study describes A 28-year-old female with a 36-week pregnancy presenting with complaints of neck pain, headache, and blurring of vision to our hospital. On inquiry, the patient gave a history of galactorrhoea so a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain was done. MRI brain was suggestive of a giant 18×9×8 mm macroadenoma
Unusual giant cell tumor of the clivus: a case documentation and analysis
Get PDFGiant cell tumors (GCTs) primarily occur in the epiphyses of long bones and are generally considered histologically benign. However, they can be locally aggressive, with a high rate of local recurrence, and have the potential for distant metastasis. Primary GCT of the clivus is extremely rare and is often misdiagnosed as pituitary macroadenoma or clival chordoma, making treatment controversial. The present report describes the case of a 17-year-old male with GCT located in the skull base originating from the clivus, with the involvement of adjacent cranial nerves, which was successfully treated with trans-nasal trans-sphenoidal surgery. This report contributes to the limited literature regarding GCTs of the skull
GVAX vaccine as a treatment for pancreatic cancer: an overview of its clinical history and current immunotherapeutic outcomes
Get PDFWith few available treatments and a dismal prognosis, pancreatic cancer is among the most aggressive and deadly cancers. Immunotherapy has become a potential strategy to increase anti-tumor immunity, especially cancer vaccines. GVAX, an allogeneic pancreatic cancer vaccine employing granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor as an immune adjuvant, has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy to enhance anti-tumor immunity. Initial trials of GVAX showed mixed results, with some patients exhibiting immune responses and prolonged survival. Subsequent studies explored combinations with chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as ipilimumab and nivolumab. While these combinations demonstrated promising immunological effects and improved clinical outcomes in some cases, the overall survival benefit has been inconsistent, especially in advanced disease stages. Recent trials are further investigating optimal combinations and dosing regimens to maximize the efficacy of GVAX-based immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer. In conclusion, GVAX holds promise as a component of immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer. However, further research is needed to optimize its use in combination with other therapies and to identify patient populations that may benefit most from this approach
Association between serum ferritin level and bone mineral density in adult females of Dhaka city
Get PDFBackground: Osteoporosis and osteopenia are among the alarming issues worldwide affecting people of all ages. Bone mass is influenced by several factors including iron. Iron deficiency is common in Bangladesh among the women of reproductive age group. So, iron depletion could have a detrimental impact on bone, resulting in episodes of fracture. The present study was carried out to assess the association of serum ferritin level and bone mineral density in adult females.
Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka from July 2018 to June 2019. A total of 122 adult females of age ranging from 18-44 years were enrolled. Eligible subjects were divided into three groups on the basis of hemoglobin concentration. The serum ferritin level and bone mineral density were measured. For statistical analysis, One-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) were performed as applicable using SPSS for windows version 25.0.
Results: The mean (±SD) serum ferritin level and BMD T score of lumbar spine and femoral neck showed significant differences among the groups (p<0.001, p=0.002, p=0.001 respectively). We found positive correlation (r±0.378 and r±0.353 respectively) between serum ferritin level and BMD T score of both lumbar spine and femoral neck which was statistically significant (p<0.001).
Conclusions: Low serum ferritin level is positively associated with low bone mineral density among adult females of Dhaka city. Therefore, early detection and correction of iron deficiency could be an important preventive measure against the disruption of bone composition at various stages of life
Pre and post tonsillectomy status of serum antistreptolysin o titre in chronic tonsillitis patients
Get PDFBackground: Tonsillitis is a very common disease, more prevalent in children and can be caused by a variety of microbes, out of which group A beta hemolytic Streptococcus (GABHS) is the most common. GABHS infection leads to elevated ASO titre in patient’s serum which may lead to several systemic complications if left untreated. The aim was to find out the prevalence of elevated ASO titre in patients with chronic tonsillitis and to analyse the impact of doing tonsillectomy in lowering the serum ASO titre.
Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out on 70 patients during a period of 1 year, who were admitted in ENT ward, Silchar Medical College and Hospital and were planned for tonsillectomy. Serum ASO titre was measured pre-operatively and on every follow-up at 1, 3 and 6 months post-operative period.
Results: Out of 70 patients, 26 were positive (37%) for ASO tire pre-operatively. There was not much improvement of ASO titre at 1 month after surgery but 3 months onwards there was significant reduction in ASO-titre level and at 6 months 21 of the 26 (80.7%) patients became negative for serum ASO titre.
Conclusions: In our study, we have found that tonsillectomy in indicated patients with raised ASO-titre has a significant role in reducing the titre level post-operatively and thus it prevents serious complications of streptococcal infections like rheumatic fever, glomerulonephritis etc
Revolutionizing medical research with artificial intelligence: opportunities, challenges, and strategies: a review
Get PDFThis article provides an in-depth exploration of the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical research, identifying potential applications, key case studies, challenges, strategies for implementation, and future perspectives. AI presents immense opportunities to revolutionize medical research, offering tools for efficient data analysis, accurate prediction of outcomes, and enhanced research efficiency. Specific areas such as genomics, drug discovery, clinical trials, and epidemiology can especially benefit from AI's application, as evidenced by various case studies. However, the journey towards full AI integration in medical research is not without obstacles. Data privacy issues, the necessity for specialized knowledge, rigorous validation of AI models, and algorithm interpretability emerge as significant hurdles. Moreover, ethical considerations, such as the risk of bias in AI algorithms, add another layer of complexity. Realizing these challenges demands ongoing innovation, research, and collaboration across various stakeholders. AI's intersection with medical research heralds a new era of potential scientific discoveries and improved patient outcomes. The article calls for a joint effort from researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to embrace this potential, navigate the challenges, and shape a future where AI serves as an invaluable tool in the pursuit of improved healthcare for all.