Diphu Medical College and Hospital

Background: Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is an important preventable cause of hearing loss. A tympanic membrane (TM) rupture in the pars tensa that spares the fibrous annulus is the hallmark of tubo-tympanic illness, which is frequently the after effect of acute suppurative otitis media. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to study site and size of TM perforation in tubotympanic otitis media and its correlation with audiometric findings. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in the department of E.N.T, Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh. Forty-four patients of CSOM tubotympanic type were selected from November 2023 to November 2024. Pure-tone audiometry was done in all patients. Results: Hearing loss was found to be directly proportional to the size of perforation in our study. We also observed that hearing loss was more in posterior perforations than in anterior perforation. Hence, in our study, we found a significant relationship of site and size of TM perforation and their audiometric findings. Conclusion: Hearing loss was found in all patients of TM perforations, and the degree of hearing loss was directly correlated with the size and location of the perforation. However, the degree of hearing loss with respect to site of perforation stands controversial in many studies and as per our study we found hearing loss more in posterior locations.

Introduction: Hemoglobin E (HbE) disorders and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency are two important red cell genetic abnormalities highly prevalent in malaria-endemic regions of Southeast Asia. The Karbi tribe, one of the major ethnic groups of Northeast India, is considered to have a significant burden of these disorders; however, data on their prevalence remains limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Hb E disease, HbE trait, and G6PD deficiency among Karbi tribal individuals attending a tertiary care centre in Northeast India. Methods: A total of 600 Karbi tribal patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study facility based study. Demographic details including age, gender, and sub-clan distribution were recorded. High performance liquid chromatography was done for Hemoglobin variant and G6PD by a semi-automated analyzer. Data were analyzed for prevalence patterns across age groups, gender, and sub-clans. Results: Hemoglobin E trait was found in 84 subjects (14% ) and Hemoglobin E disease in 12 individuals (2%). G6PD deficiency was observed in 36 individuals (6.0%). Females showed a higher prevalence of HbE trait and disease, but the difference was statistically not significant. Males showed a statistically significant higher frequency of G6PD deficiency compared to females (4.33% vs 1.67%). Sub-clan analysis revealed Timung subclan had slightly higher distribution of HbE trait and G6PD deficiency. Coexistence of Hemoglobin E trait and G6PD deficiency was found in 6 individuals (1.0%). Conclusion: This study highlights a high prevalence of HbE trait and a considerable burden of G6PD deficiency in the Karbi population visiting the tertiary care center. The findings underline the importance of routine screening and genetic counseling in this community.

Introduction: Hemolysis is one of the most common preanalytical errors that encountered in clinical laboratories. Hemolysis significantly affects the accuracy and reliability of laboratory test results. Improper blood collection procedures, inadequate sample handling, and insufficient training of phlebotomists contribute to increases hemolysis rates. Aim: To evaluate the effect of continuous skill training of phlebotomists on the reduction of hemolysis rates in the tertiary health care laboratory, Diphu Medical College and Hospital. Materials and Methods: A comparative Observational study was conducted in the central clinical laboratory, Diphu Medical College over a period of six months. Study was divided into two phases: pre training phase for three months and post training phase for three months. During Pre training period, Hemolysis rates were recorded. Continuous skill training focusing on venipuncture techniques, sample transportation, sample storage were conducted for phlebotomists at a regular interval for a month. Post training hemolysis rates were monitored. Data were analyzed using percentage comparison and statistical significance rate. Results: A total 23,400 blood samples were analyzed during the study period. The pre training hemolysis rate was 6.57% and post training hemolysis rate was 3.28% after continuous skill training. The difference was statistically significant (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Continuous skill training of phlebotomists significantly reduces hemolysis in clinical samples and improves laboratory quality.

This study examines the effects of climatic variability on bacterial and fungal populations, as well as enzymatic activities innutrient-rich, organic soils that support tea plants (Camellia sinensis L). Conducted from 2016 to 2019 across five district tea estates (TEs) in the Jorhat district of Assam, India, this research investigates the intricate relationships among these parameters. The findings indicate that bacterial and fungal communities exhibit optimal growth within a temperature range of 18 to 30 degrees C, establishing a critical threshold for their metabolic activity. A significant positive correlation was observed between the abundance of these microbial populations and the corresponding soil enzymatic activities, underscoring the essential role of these robust microbial communities in sustaining vital soil processes. Hierarchical cluster analysis identified two distinct groups of TEs that displayed consistent patterns of microbial behaviour across varying seasonal conditions. Furthermore, principal component analysis demonstrated that the first three principal components accounted for over 80% of the variability observed in the microbial and enzymatic data sets. This research contributes valuable insights into the dynamic interactions between seasonal fluctuations and soil health, highlighting the crucial contributions of bacterial and fungal populations, along with their enzymatic activities, to the complex ecosystem underlying tea cultivation.

Introduction: Regional Anaesthesia (RA) is widely employed across surgical specialities owing to its benefits for perioperative analgesia, haemodynamic stability, and reduced Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV). Despite these advantages, Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) linked to Local Anaesthetics (LAs) and their adjuvants remain an important consideration, particularly in settings with limited pharmacovigilance resources. Aim: To determine the incidence and study the pattern, causality, and severity of adverse drug reactions associated with anaesthetic agents used in regional anaesthesia in a tertiary care teaching hospital in South Assam, India. Materials and Methods: A prospective, observational study was conducted at the Department of Pharmacology in collaboration with the Department of Anaesthesiology in Silchar Medical College and Hospital, Silchar, Assam, India, from November 2023 to October 2024, among 385 adult patients who underwent surgery under RA. ADRs occurring within 24 hours of RA administration were identified through direct clinical observation, patient interviews, and review of medical records. Causality was evaluated using the World Health Organisation– Uppsala Monitoring Centre (WHO–UMC) Causality Assessment Scale, while severity was categorised according to the Hartwig and Siegel Severity Assessment Scale. Data were summarised using descriptive statistics. Data were summarised using descriptive statistics in Microsoft® Excel® 2021 (version 2604, 64-bit). Results: Out of 385 patients monitored, 54 patients experienced a total of 54 ADRs during the study period, representing an overall ADR incidence of 14.03%. Hypotension was the most commonly reported ADR, 28 (51.85%), followed by PONV 12 (22.22%). The majority of ADRs occurred within the first six hours after RA administration 46 (85.18%). Hyperbaric bupivacaine accounted for the greatest proportion of ADRs, 42 (77.78%), followed by ropivacaine heavy (11.11%). According to WHO-UMC criteria, most ADRs were classified as “possible” (94.44%), while a smaller proportion were deemed “probable” (1.85%). All ADRs were categorised as mild based on Hartwig’s severity scale. Conclusion: ADRs associated with RA in this cohort were generally mild, occurred early, and were most frequently linked to hyperbaric bupivacaine. Although no severe reactions were observed, these findings underscore the importance of early postoperative monitoring, judicious drug selection, and strengthened pharmacovigilance to support patient safety