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Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in post-operative period worldwide. Their nephrotoxic effects are documented and accounts for around 15.5% of all cases of drug induced renal failure. Acute renal failure following NSAIDs usage are reported in volume depleted patients which is further precipitated by co-morbid conditions like hypertension and various drug interactions that increase plasma level of NSAIDs and worsens the condition. This highlights the importance of hydration in post-operative period as well as assessment of co-morbid conditions before administration of NSAIDs to prevent acute renal failure.

Medication error (ME) is an adverse preventable event which happens due to the inappropriate use of medication that leads to patient harm. Such events may be related to professional practice, health-care products, procedures, and systems including prescribing, communication, product labeling, packaging, and nomenclature, compounding, dispensing, distribution, administration, education, monitoring, and use. A major ME is the one, which results in either permanent harm or transfer to the intensive care units or death. When an error is identified, it shall be reported immediately. It must also be nonpunitive so that staff does not have to be afraid of repercussions. An error shall be reported to the concerned consultant immediately. Continuous monitoring and frequent assessments shall be done for the patient. A root cause analysis shall be done for all serious MEs.

INTRODUCTION:Adverse drug reaction (ADR) is a public health problem which constitutes one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In India, only a few studies reported cancer chemotherapy-induced ADRs. The objectives of the present study were to assess the organ system involved, frequency, severity, and preventability of the ADRs occurred.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Data on ADRs of retrospective cohorts were extracted from the filled ADR forms received from the department of radiation oncology. Descriptive statistic was used to summarize and analyze the available data, namely patient demography, causality, severity, and preventability of the event.RESULTS:A total of 191 chemotherapy-induced ADR reports were received from 164 patients during the period March 2015 to August 2017. Almost three-fourth of the ADRs occurred in patients who were receiving regimens involving multiple drugs. Taxanes, alkylating agents, and platinum compounds were the common drug groups involved. The skin (n = 90) was the most frequently involved organ with alopecia and hyperpigmentation as most common manifestations. The severity (Hartwig and Siegel) and preventability scales (Modified Schumock and Thornton) indicated that most reactions were mild (54.45%) in nature and the majority of them were preventable. More than two-third (69%) of the reactions were related “possible” to the suspected drug as determined by the World Health Organization causality assessment.CONCLUSION:Chemotherapy-related ADRs among cancer patients are worrisome. It has a negative impact on patient quality of life and in addition increases cost of therapy. It is found that timely reporting of chemotherapy-related ADRs and having an effective ADR monitoring system in place ensure preventability of the ADRs in many cases. Oncologists, Radiotherapists and Onco-surgeons should be actively involved in ADR reporting (Onco-Pharmacovigilance) and exchange constructive information, update and educate each other about appropriate use of anticancer drugs. Onco-pharmacovigilance is the need of the hour and could be of immense value in reducing morbidity and mortality if practiced with utmost importance.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease, which mistakenly attacks the joints and induces the inflammatory changes that thicken the joints (the synovium) resulting in swelling and pain in and around the joints. It causes pain, joint deformity, and also affects the quality of life. The joint is affected symmetrically. It also can affect body systems, such as the cardiovascular, respiratory systems, or other systems, which manifest as extra-articular manifestations. Extra-articular manifestations of RA are documented less in India hence this study was undertaken to correlate RA with extra-articular manifestations as well as its relationship with serostatus in patients with extra-articular manifestations. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients (age between 18–60 years) attending Medicine/Rheumatology outpatient department were included in the study (12 months) who fulfilled the 2010 RA classification criteria laid down by American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League against Rheumatism (EULAR) for RA. All the subjects underwent a thorough history, clinical examination, and laboratory investigations. The relevant data were analyzed with appropriate statistical methods after 12 months’ duration. Results: Nearly 68.33% of the subjects were found to have extra-articular manifestations mostly in the age group of 31–40 years with prevalence higher in the female. In the seropositive patients, early morning stiffness (EMS) constitutes 63.82% of the total extra-articular manifestations in the patients followed by anemia (38.29%) and peripheral neuropathy (34.04%). On the other hand, in the seronegative cases, EMS (61.53%) followed by anemia (23.07), peripheral neuropathy (15.38%), and keratoconjunctivitis sicca (15.38%). Extra-articular manifestations in seropositive patients have a statistically significant relationship with the increase in the duration of the disease. Conclusion: Extra-articular manifestations need to be looked carefully as it is associated with more severe disease. Seropositivity and extra-articular manifestations both usually indicate that the RA is more severe and may affect the quality of life.

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We report on an 18-year-old male with bronchial asthma who presented with swelling over the neck and upper chest after a mild episode of bronchospasm. Physical examination was suggestive of subcutaneous emphysema, which was subsequently confirmed on a radiograph. Computed tomography in addition revealed pneumomediastinum and air within the epidural space of the spinal canal. Although spontaneous pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema have been described in a variety of situations, including patients with asthma, spontaneous pneumorrhachis in asthmatics is a very rare entity.