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.

Schizophrenia is associated with increased cardiovascular risk and reduced life expectancy, with hypertension being a major contributor. However, data on the prevalence of hypertension among schizophrenia patients in Bangladesh is scarce. To determine this and to identify the associated factors among patients with schizophrenia attending a tertiary psychiatric hospital in Sylhet, Bangladesh, this cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st July, 2025 to 31st December, 2025. A total of 60 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to DSM-5 criteria, aged ≥18 years were enrolled using convenience sampling. Data were collected through interviews, medical record review, anthropometric measurements, and blood-pressure assessment. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg on at least two occasions or on the basis of ongoing antihypertensive medication. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0; chi-square test and binary logistic regression were applied. The mean age of participants was 32.9±11.4 years, with male predominance (60%). The prevalence of hypertension among schizophrenia patients was found to be 18.30%. Among hypertensive patients, 54.50% were newly diagnosed as such. Chronic schizophrenia was the most common type (70%). Risperidone was the most frequently prescribed antipsychotic (61.7%). Amlodipine was the commonest prescribed antihypertensive (80%). Multivariate analysis identified increasing age (OR=1.08, 95% CI: 1.01-1.16), higher BMI (OR=1.23, 95% CI: 1.03-1.47), and family history of hypertension (OR=4.57, 95% CI: 1.14-18.36) as independent predictors. Hypertension affects nearly one-fifth of schizophrenia patients, with over half being newly diagnosed, highlighting a critical gap in routine cardiovascular screening. Age, BMI, and positive family history showed significant association with hypertension. Incorporation of integrated physical health monitoring into standard psychiatric care is recommended. Bang J Psychiatry 2025;39(2): 34-40

Objectives To assess the experiences of intern physicians in Bangladesh and identify factors associated with different domains of internship experience. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Five government and four private medical college hospitals of Bangladesh. Participants 575 intern physicians. Primary and secondary outcomes Internship experiences measured by the Medical Internship Experience Scale (MIES). Domain-specific and total MIES scores were calculated, with higher scores indicating more favourable experiences. Results Overall, mean MIES score was 3.2 (SD 0.6; range 1.2-5.0) with higher scores in job satisfaction (3.8, SD 0.8; range 1-5), clinical learning (3.6, SD 0.7; range 1-5) and fairness and discrimination (3.6, SD 1.1; range 1-5) and lower scores in patient safety (3.2, SD 0.8; range 1-5), stress and burnout (2.5, SD 0.9; range 1-5) and mental well-being (2.6, SD 1.1; range 1-5). Longer internship duration was associated with higher clinical learning (beta=0.06, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.08) and fairness scores (beta=0.05, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.09). Patient safety scores were higher in private medical colleges (beta=0.45, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.62). Female interns had higher stress and burnout (beta=-0.27, 95% CI -0.43 to -0.10) and lower mental well-being (beta=-0.28, 95% CI -0.49 to -0.08). Conclusions Intern physicians in Bangladesh reported favourable experiences in clinical learning and job satisfaction, but less favourable experiences in patient safety, stress and burnout, and mental well-being.

Introduction with Objective: Skeletal maturation is a multifaceted biological process. The union of epiphyseal ossification centers remains a gold standard methodology for age estimation within both clinical & forensic practice. Specially, the radiographic analysis of fusion between the lateral epicondyle and the humeral capitulum provides a diagnostic landmark for skeletal maturity. Also, different radiographic dimensions of elbow are important for normative references for anatomists. The aim of the study was to observe the age of complete fusion of lateral epicondyle with capitulum in females. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional observational study was carried out at the Department of Anatomy in collaboration with Department of Radiology & Imaging, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College, Sylhet within the defined period from January 2024 to December 2024. Total sample size of this study was thirty-five (35). These 35 plain x-rays of the right elbow joint (A-P view) were collected ranging from 12 to 22 years of female sexes. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Ethical Review Board (IERB) of Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College, Sylhet. Convenient sampling was done according to availability of the individual. Statistical analyses of the results were obtained by using window based computer software devised with Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS-25.0). Result: At the age of 12-13 years, 33.33% showed non union stage of lateral epicondyle with humeral capitulum. Complete epiphyseal union was started at 12-13 years in females (66.66%). 50% & 66.66% complete union were observed at 13-14 years & 14-15 years respectively. 100% complete fusion was found at the age of 15-16years and onward. Conclusion: Radiographic analysis of bones specially distal humerus provides a valuable alternative for identifying age in legal and medical investigations. Medicine Today 2026, Vol.38 (2): 214-217