Introduction: Heel pain brought on by recurrent tension on the plantar fascia is a common symptom of plantar fasciitis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the severity of plantar fasciitis symptoms and morphological changes in the plantar fascia, such as thickness and the existence of calcaneal spurs. Methodology: 180 people (60 controls and 120 patients with plantar fasciitis) participated in a cross-sectional study. Ultrasound imaging detected calcaneal spurs and evaluated the thickness of the plantar fascia. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to measure the degree of pain in the group with plantar fasciitis. Result: There were more calcaneal spurs (52% vs. 15%, p < 0.001) and noticeably thicker plantar fascia (5.2 mm vs. 3.6 mm in controls, p < 0.001) in the group with plantar fasciitis. Higher VAS pain levels were associated with thicker fascia. Conclusion: The degree of plantar fasciitis is closely correlated with morphological alterations in the plantar fascia, such as thickening, underscoring the diagnostic utility of ultrasound imaging.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.

Menopause is a phase from where bone mineralisation becomes critics because of various physiological and hormonal changes. Oestrogen deficiency and age related processes alter the rate of calcium turnover in bone that aging woman faces. Osteoporosis especially in postmenopausal women is a well-documented problem. In India lack of nutritional and health awareness makes its prevalence like tip of iceberg phenomenon. Changes in sex hormones during the menopause transition period have an impact on calcium homeostasis. This cross-sectional study was conducted in women of age 27–70 years. Serum calcium levels were estimated in Pre and Post Menopausal women. In postmenopausal women significant decrease in serum calcium level indicate remarkable risk towards negative calcium balance. They should be monitored for serum calcium levels, for reducing the risk of bone resorption.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.

Blood transfusion is a critical component of modern healthcare, especially in emergency medicine, oncology, surgery, and for patients with chronic anemia or severe trauma. Blood is a unique tissue comprising cellular and non-cellular elements, essential for various physiological functions. The components, are white blood cells (WBCs), packed red blood cells (RBCs), and platelets (PLT), which play crucial roles in immune response, oxygen transport, and clot formation. Packed Red blood cells (PRBCs) can be preserved and stored under optimum conditions at temperatures of 2-6⁰ C up to a period of 42 days in dedicated blood storage refrigerators specifically made for blood storage with temperature monitoring systems, alarms, power backup and preferably data logger systems are needed for various life-saving blood transfusions, but during the above-mentioned shelf life even under optimal conditions they undergo continuous degradation. The extent of degradation of PRBCs depends on a number of variable factors like collection, transport, separation, handling quality of preservatives and bag. Shelf life of whole blood is 35 days while that of Packed red blood cells collected in triple bag is 42 days.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.

Background: Obesity is a major risk factor for developing insulin resistance, leading to metabolic complications like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) is a validated index used to assess insulin sensitivity. Dyslipidemia, particularly high triglycerides (TG) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), is commonly associated with insulin resistance in obese individuals. This study aims to evaluate the HOMA-IR index and its correlation with serum TG and HDL-C levels in obese and non-obese individuals. Objective: To assess the relationship between serum insulin levels, triglycerides, HDL, and the HOMA-IR index in obese patients and compare the findings with non-obese control subjects. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 100 participants, divided into two groups: 50 obese patients (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) and 50 age-matched non-obese controls (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m²). The study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry at a tertiary care hospital. Fasting plasma glucose and insulin levels were measured, and the HOMA-IR index was calculated for all subjects. Lipid profiles, including serum triglycerides and HDL, were also measured. The correlation between HOMA-IR, serum insulin, TG, and HDL was analyzed. Results: Obese individuals showed significantly higher HOMA-IR values (mean ± SD: 4.5 ± 1.3) compared to the control group (mean ± SD: 1.8 ± 0.5). Serum triglycerides were elevated (p<0.01), and HDL levels were lower (p<0.05) in the obese group. A significant positive correlation was observed between HOMA-IR and serum triglycerides (r=0.62, p<0.01) and a negative correlation with HDL (r=-0.48, p<0.05) in obese individuals, while no significant correlations were found in the control group. Conclusion: The study demonstrates a strong association between insulin resistance and dyslipidemia in obese patients. Obese individuals exhibited significantly higher insulin resistance as measured by HOMA-IR, along with elevated triglycerides and reduced HDL levels. These findings underline the importance of addressing lipid abnormalities in obese individuals to prevent long-term metabolic complications.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.

Introduction: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a significant pregnancy complication requiring timely diagnosis to prevent adverse outcomes. While the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is standard, its limitations have prompted interest in alternative markers like HbA1c. This study aims to evaluate HbA1c’s diagnostic utility in GDM, particularly when combined with glucose testing. Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted over 12 months, involved pregnant women without diabetes. GDM diagnosis was based on a 75-gram OGTT, while HbA1c levels were measured using HPLC. Sensitivity, specificity, and ROC analysis determined HbA1c’s diagnostic accuracy. The study also evaluated HbA1c’s association with pregnancy outcomes like birth weight and complications. Results: In this study of 300 pregnant women, 68 (22.7%) were diagnosed with GDM. The mean HbA1c level in GDM cases was 5.8% versus 5.2% in non-GDM (p<0.05). HbA1c showed 72% sensitivity, 85% specificity (AUC 0.78). Combining HbA1c with fasting glucose improved sensitivity to 82%, enhancing GDM detection. Conclusion: HbA1c demonstrates moderate diagnostic accuracy for GDM, with fair sensitivity and specificity. When combined with fasting glucose, its diagnostic performance significantly improves, enhancing GDM detection. Elevated HbA1c levels are also linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes, highlighting the importance of using HbA1c as an adjunct diagnostic tool for GDM.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.

Introduction: Usage of internet has increased drastically over the past few years and excessive use has negative health consequences posing a serious public health concern. Present study was undertaken with an objective to determine the internet addiction among students from a teaching medical college. Material & Methods: It was a cross sectional study done among 550 Undergraduate Medical students, Post graduates, BSC and allied science students. Internet Addiction Test (IAT) tool was used to assess the internet addiction. Students were explained about purpose of study and confidentiality of information was ensured. Results: Mean age of the respondents was 21.42 years with female preponderance (74.4%). In undergraduate and post graduate medical students, majority of them had mild and moderate addiction compared to BSC and allied science students. Among MBBS students, highest mean IAT score was found in 3^rd year (44.47) followed by Internship & 4^th year. No significant difference was observed in mean IAT score among post graduates. Among BSC students, 2^nd and 3^rd year students had higher mean IAT scores which was statistically significant (p=0.04). With regards to symptoms in specific, excessive use, neglect work, lack of control and neglect social life were statistically significant with category of students. Conclusions: High prevalence of Internet addiction was found in the present study across all the four categories of students included. A multidisciplinary approach involving students, parents, college faculty, psychiatrists, psychologist and stakeholder’s opinions and suggestions needs to be considered to tackle this global public health issue and to reduce its impact.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.

Introduction: Vitamin D has a huge impact on human health and disease. It plays an important role in glucose homeostasis by promoting insulin secretion and reducing resistance. Vitamin D insufficiency may increase the occurrence and progression of type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and its associated complications. Objectives: The present study aims to compare vitamin D levels in type-2 diabetes mellitus patients with and without microvascular complications and also to investigate the relationship between vitamin D insufficiency and T2DM microvascular consequences. Material & Methods:  A case control study was conducted on 60 type-2 diabetes mellitus patients, aged between 40-70 years, as per inclusion and exclusion criteria and divided into 2 groups. Group-I: T2DM patients with microvascular complications (n=30) served as study group; and Group II: T2DM patients without microvascular complications (n=30) used as control group. Venous blood samples were collected using aseptic techniques. Fasting blood sugar, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), post prandial blood sugar and vitamin D levels were measured. The collected data were analyzed using student “t” test for evaluating the differences between both groups in reference to above parameters. Pearson correlation analysis was used to find out association of vitamin D levels with glycaemic control (blood sugar and HbA1C levels). The results were expressed as Mean ± Standard Deviation (SD). Results: Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was found to be significantly higher in T2DM patients with microvascular complications (14.51 ± 3.79 vs 19.80 ± 5.02) as compared with T2DM patients without microvascular complications (p< 0.01). Vitamin D insufficiency was found to be more common in females than males (10.52 ± 1.59 vs 16.50 ± 2.77; p<0.001). Vitamin D level also shows statistically significant negative correlation with HbA1C (r=-0.887, p <0.001); fasting blood sugar (FBS) r=-0.901, p<0.001; and 2 hour post prandial blood sugar (PPBS) r=-0.583, p<0.001 and prevalence of microvascular complications. Conclusion: Vitamin D insufficiency is significantly associated with glycaemic control and with any of the individual microvascular complications, i.e. neuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy. Therefore, early screening for vitamin D levels in T2DM patients may be beneficial due to the diverse implications of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency. Estimation and correction of vitamin D deficiency may also help in prevention of microvascular complications.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.