Indian J Med Res
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Background & objectives Q fever is an important zoonotic disease affecting humans as well as animals. The objective of this study was to assess the burden of Q fever in individuals with acute febrile illness, particularly those in close contact with animals. Various diagnostic methods were also evaluated in addition to clinical examination analysis and associated risk factors. ⋯ Interpretation & conclusions Q fever is underdiagnosed due to its varied clinical presentations, diagnostic complexities, and lack of awareness. This study underscores the importance of regular screening for Q fever in individuals with acute febrile illness, particularly those with animal exposure. Early diagnosis and increased awareness among healthcare professionals are essential for the timely management and prevention of chronic complications associated with Q fever.
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Review Meta Analysis
Pooled prevalence of hypothyroidism among Indian females with infertility: A systematic review & meta-analysis.
Background & objectives Studies suggest hypothyroidism is responsible for female infertility. This review aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of hypothyroidism in Indian infertile women so that hypothyroidism screening can be initiated, and policies are designed for prevalence reduction. Methods Electronic databases including PubMed, Google Scholar and Cochrane library were searched to obtain the relevant articles. ⋯ The pooled prevalence of hypothyroidism in women with infertility was 28 per cent [95% confidence interval (CI): 20% to 36%] which was highest in Telangana at 62 per cent (n=1; 95% CI 48% to 74%) and lowest in Karnataka at 14 per cent (n=2; 95% CI: 10% to 18%). Interpretation & conclusions Infertile women have high proportion of hypothyroidism, suggesting that screening programmes during diagnostic workup for infertility may provide optimal care. The result of this meta-analysis will help design guidelines and earmark highest prevalence regions to initiate preventive and diagnostic measures for prevalence reduction in future.
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Review Meta Analysis
AGT, CYP11B2 & ADRB2 gene polymorphism & essential hypertension (HT): A meta-analysis.
Background & objectives The results of the genetic association studies between the selected candidate genes and hypertension (HT) contradicted across different populations. Majority of the meta-analyses carried out did not consider population genetic ancestry as a confounding factor. Therefore, this meta-analysis attempted to consolidate and re-evaluate the findings of the association between the selected candidate variants (AGT-rs699, CYP11B2-rs1799998, ADRB2-rs1042713 and rs1042714) and HT, by categorizing the genotyping data based on known genetic ancestry, and/or major geographical populations. ⋯ ADRB2-rs1042713-G was significantly associated with HT in east Asians for (i) allele (P=0.01, OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.05-1.51), and (ii) recessive mode of inheritance (P=0.04, OR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.01-1.83). Interpretation & conclusions Different genotype and allele frequencies in diverse populations result in different genetic associations with HT across populations. This meta-analysis finding provides an update and summary of the genetic association between the selected simple nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) and HT across different populations and essential insights into selecting appropriate pharmacogenetic marker(s) for effective HT management in populations of different ancestries.
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Review Meta Analysis
Unveiling the burden of scrub typhus in acute febrile illness cases across India: A systematic review & meta-analysis.
Background & objectives Scrub typhus is an emerging mite-borne zoonotic infection that has been overlooked, despite being one of the most widespread severe vector-borne diseases. With an estimated one billion people at risk worldwide and one million annual cases, it poses a significant public health concern. While various studies have investigated the prevalence of scrub typhus in different regions of India, a comprehensive regional systematic review and meta-analysis on the seropositivity of scrub typhus among acute febrile cases has been lacking. ⋯ Additionally, the pooled case fatality rate (based on data from six studies) among scrub typhus-positive cases yielded a case fatality rate of 7.69 per cent (95% CI: 4.37-11.72). Interpretation & conclusions This meta-analysis shows that scrub typhus is a significant health threat in India. Preventive measures to control scrub typhus need to be given priority.
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Post-acute sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) disease (COVID-19), called as long COVID syndrome, is a major global public health issue after recovery from COVID-19. The disease occurs in symptomatic patients irrespective of illness severity. The symptoms continue after four wk of recovery from acute illness and persist beyond three months. ⋯ Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 and early use of oral antiviral nirmatrelvir within the first five days in patients with acute mild disease having various risk factors for progression to severe disease help in preventing long COVID. Several clinical trials are underway for the treatment of long COVID and the results of these are eagerly awaited. Physical and mental rehabilitation at home, at community level or in the hospital setting as appropriate is essential in patients with long COVID.