North East Medical College

BACKGROUND:Online education gained its popularity in the education system during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. The online platform, including social media, was institutionalized globally for the purpose of tutoring to keep the education process ongoing under feasible circumstances. However, the post-pandemic continuation of online education and prolonged usage of electronic devices imposed a greater risk of health issues related to sensory impairment. Our study aimed to determine the impact of online education on students' hearing status and its associated factors. METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1030 students of 11th grade and above who were undergoing online education in Dhaka and Chattogram. Data were collected through the online administration of a structured questionnaire containing questions on sociodemographic status, family history of diseases, personal history of diseases, information related to screentime exposure, and SSQ-12 (Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing -12) scale. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's chi-square test, two independent sample t-tests, and multiple linear regression analysis were employed to obtain the results. RESULT:The mean SSQ score of the study participants was 7.74 ± 1.37. In bivariate analysis, gender, family income, family history of diseases (e.g., obesity, headache, hearing problem), personal history of diseases (e.g., obesity, insomnia), device type (mobile/tablet, computer), average daily screen time with sound, and break pattern during online learning were significantly (p < 0.05 for all) associated with hearing status. In multivariate analysis, being female (coefficient -0.293, p = 0.001), using mobile/tablet (coefficient -0.836, p = 0.001), and continuous screen use (coefficient -0.348, p = 0.003) were significantly associated with poor hearing status. CONCLUSION:This current study indicates the detrimental effect of online education on the hearing of young students in Bangladesh. Future studies should explore the long-term hearing effects of online education and guide the policy makers towards necessary preventive approaches.

Background: Granulomatous mastitis is a rare, non-malignant inflammatory disorder of the breast that can pose considerable difficulties in both diagnosis and management. The condition is characterized by persistent granulomatous inflammation predominantly affecting the breast lobules. Its clinical manifestations may closely resemble those of breast malignancy or infectious mastitis, frequently making accurate diagnosis challenging. Despite of wide range of available treatment options, wide local excision remains an effective therapeutic approach for granulomatous mastitis. Objective: To evaluate the outcome of wide local excision in patients with granulomatous mastitis. Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Surgery, Northeast Medical College, Sylhet, Bangladesh, and selected private hospitals in Sylhet from July 2024 to July 2025. A total of 26 patients with granulomatous mastitis were included consecutively and underwent wide local excision. Data on demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, lesion characteristics, duration of symptoms, postoperative complications, treatment outcome, and recurrence were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The largest proportion of patients was aged 31–40 years (38.5%), followed by those aged 21–30 years (30.8%). The upper outer quadrant was the most commonly involved site (30.8%). A painful palpable breast lump was the predominant clinical presentation, occurring in 80.8% of patients, followed by breast erythema or redness (53.8%). The most common duration of symptoms before surgery was 4–6 months (34.6%). Complete resolution without recurrence was achieved in 22 patients (84.6%). Minor postoperative complications with subsequent healing occurred in 2 patients (7.7%), while persistent disease and recurrence after initial healing were observed in 1 patient each (3.8%). Most patients (73.1%) experienced no postoperative complications. Wound infection was the most common complication (11.5%), followed by delayed wound healing (7.7%). Patients with symptoms of six months or less showed a higher rate of complete resolution than those with symptoms lasting more than six months, although the association was not statistically significant (p=0.118). Conclusion: Wide local excision produced a favorable outcome in patients with granulomatous mastitis, with a high rate of complete resolution and a low rate of persistent disease and recurrence. Postoperative complications were relatively uncommon and generally manageable. These findings suggest that wide local excision is an effective surgical option for appropriately selected patients, particularly those with localized or persistent granulomatous mastitis.

Background: The rapid growth of digital technology has increased Internet use and concerns about Internet addiction among medical students. Excessive Internet use can harm mental health, sleep, and academic performance. Identifying its prevalence and associated sociodemographic factors is important for early intervention and prevention of this condition. To determine the prevalence of Internet addiction and analyze its association with sociodemographic factors among medical students using a validated assessment tool.Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 100 medical students from a prestigious college in the Sylhet Division, conducted between November 2025 and February 2026. The sample size was estimated using a standard prevalence formula. Data were gathered via a structured questionnaire containing the Internet Addiction Test, following strict eligibility criteria. We analyzed the responses using SPSS version 24, employing descriptive statistics and chi square tests (p < 0.05). Ethical clearance and written informed consent were obtained prior to the study.Result: Among 100 medical students, most (46%) fell in the 21–23 age bracket (mean 22.1 ± 2.1 years), with males comprising 58%. Internet addiction was present in 68%—mild (38%), moderate (20%), and severe (10%). Over half (54%) spent >5 hours online daily, primarily on social media (80%). Severe addiction was more common among males (13.8% vs. 4.8% females), poorer academic performers, and the 18–20 age group.Conclusion: Internet addiction is prevalent among medical students and is associated with sociodemographic factors, poor sleep, and academic performance, requiring targeted preventive interventions.

Background: Spondylolisthesis is a prevalent cause of chronic axial and radicular low back pain worldwide, yet the comparative merit of available fusion strategies remains unresolved. Objective: This study evaluated posterolateral fusion, posterior lumbar interbody fusion, and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for pain relief, functional recovery, and segmental stability in symptomatic spondylolisthesis. Methods: A prospective observational cohort of 128 adults (18–65 years) with radiologically confirmed spondylolisthesis was recruited at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rajshahi Medical College, between January 2022 and December 2024. Patients underwent posterolateral fusion, posterior lumbar interbody fusion, or transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. Visual analogue scale pain scores, Oswestry Disability Index scores, radiographic fusion, and complications were recorded preoperatively and at 1, 6, and 12 months, and analysed using SPSS v26.0. Results: Mean patient age was 41.5 ± 13.4 years (65 women, 50.8%); posterolateral fusion (n = 47, 36.7%), transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (n = 43, 33.6%), and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (n = 38, 29.7%) were performed. Visual analogue scale scores declined from 7.77 ± 1.42 preoperatively to 1.00 ± 0.82 at 12 months (87.1% reduction, p < 0.001), and Oswestry Disability Index scores fell from 54.08 ± 14.54 to 9.76 ± 6.21 (82.0% reduction, p < 0.001). Outcomes were statistically comparable across techniques (ANOVA, all p > 0.05). Solid fusion and segmental stability were confirmed radiographically in all 128 patients (100%) at 12 months, and the overall complication rate was 3.91% (5/128), predominantly asymptomatic implant-related findings, without significant inter-technique variation (χ² p = 0.267). Conclusion: All three fusion techniques produced durable, statistically comparable pain relief, disability reduction, and segmental stability with a low complication burden, supporting individualised technique selection in resource-constrained surgical settings.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is influenced by genetic, dietary, environmental, and lifestyle-related factors. However, limited evidence is available regarding the association of these factors with clinicopathological characteristics among patients with established CRC in Bangladesh. To assess lifestyle and dietary characteristics among patients with CRC and determine their association with histopathological grade and lymph node metastasis. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 24 adults with histopathologically confirmed colorectal adenocarcinoma at Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), Dhaka, from March 2024 to February 2025. Sociodemographic, dietary, and lifestyle information was collected through face-to-face interviews, while clinicopathological data were obtained from medical records and histopathology reports. Associations were assessed using Pearson's chi-square or Fisher's exact test, as appropriate. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age was 53.88 ± 9.54 years, and 62.5% of participants were male. Normal BMI was observed in 62.5%. Red meat and dairy consumption were most commonly reported as occasional. Frequent dietary fibre intake was reported by 37.5% of participants. Physical inactivity was reported by 87.5%, and 33.3% were smokers. All tumors were adenocarcinomas; 50.0% were grade I, 45.8% grade II, and 4.2% grade III. Lymph node metastasis was present in 41.7%, with no distant metastasis. No significant associations were found between BMI, dietary or lifestyle factors and lymph node metastasis or histopathological grade (all p>0.05). Dietary fibre showed a significant linear trend with grade (p=0.043), but the overall association was not significant. Conclusion: No significant associations were identified between assessed dietary and lifestyle factors and CRC clinicopathological features. Larger studies using validated assessment tools are warranted.