Volume 3 (2023) – Issue 1

Abstract:Background: Diabetes mellitus is a serious public health issue globally, and India is no exception to its growing prevalence in many emerging nations. In the near future, India will emerge as the global capital of diabetes.
Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate ocular surface changes and ocular surface disorders in patients with diabetes mellitus.
Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted among all known cases of diabetes mellitus aged over 40 years, attending the eye outpatient department and diabetic clinic at Dr. Sushila Tiwari Government Hospital, Haldwani, Nainital.
Results: The mean age of diabetic patients was 60.82\(\pm\)10.23 (41-79) years. The majority of cases were female (59.7%), followed by males (40.3%). The rural population (56%) was more affected by ocular surface disorders in patients with type II diabetes mellitus than the urban population (44%). Homemakers (50.2%) were the largest group, followed by outdoor workers (30.8%), office workers (12%), and factory workers (7%). Itching was present in 22.0%, lacrimation in 54.8%, burning in 66.8%, foreign body sensation in 85.6%, and blurring of vision in 53.2%.
Conclusions: This study establishes a causal relationship between ocular surface disorder and diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: Background: Beta-thalassemia syndromes are a category of genetic blood disorders defined by reduced or incomplete beta globin chain synthesis, leading to lower hemoglobin levels in red blood cells (RBC), lower RBC output, and anemia.
Aims and objectives: To study the growth pattern in thalassemic children who are on regular chelation therapy and blood transfusion in comparison to normal children and serum ferritin level in these children and its relation to growth pattern and oral chelation therapy.
Methods: The present study was a hospital-based cross-sectional study. One hundred and one transfusion-dependent thalassemic children on oral chelation therapy, attending the pediatric ward in Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati, Assam, were enrolled during the study period from 1st May 2021 to 30th April 2022.
Results: This study provides evidence that children suffering from transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) are prone to growth retardation, with underweight, stunting, and wasting being 31.6%, 52.4%, and 27.7%, respectively.
Conclusion: In conclusion, short stature is an important complication in TDT. Growth in patients with TDT is significantly related to age, sex, hemoglobin level, and iron overload status. Management with hypertransfusion and good control of iron overload is important to achieve optimum growth in patients with TDT.