BACKGROUND: Liver abscess is a common problem in lower socioeconomic group in India. Both types (Amoebic and pyogenic) of liver abscesses are important cause of morbidity and mortality in India. AIM: To observe the clinical features, biochemical and radiological abnormality, microbiological etiologies, and management outcomes in patients with liver abscess. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An open prospective study was conducted in the Department of Medicine, GR Medical College and JA Group of Hospitals, Gwalior from November 2009 to October 2011.The patients presenting with Liver abscess on ultrasonography (USG) were included. A detailed history, clinical examination, and laboratory profile of the patients were recorded. Radiological examination was also done to observe any pulmonary complication along with USG to observe size, site, number, echogenicity and other abnormalities. Effects of antibiotic and surgical intervention (USG guided aspiration or pigtail insertion) were also studied. RESULTS: A total of 104 patients were included in the study, out of which 52 were males. Most of them were from lower socioeconomic class (61.19%) and alcoholic (68.62%). Most patients presented with fever and abdominal pain. Most of the patients in amoebic liver abscess (ALA) group were of <40 years of age and in pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) >40 years of age. Liver abscess was mostly present in right lobe (65.67%) and single (59.70%). Etiology of abscess was 58.2% amoebic, 41.8% pyogenic. Diabetes mellitus and cholelithiasis were main inclining factors in case of liver abscess. Most common laboratory finding was abnormal alkaline phosphatase. All patients with ALA & 26 out of 29 patients with PLA improved with medical therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The most common presentation for liver abscess was male, alcoholic of low socioeconomic class having right lobe single abscess.

Metoprolol XL/amlodipine fixed-dose combination was found to be as effective and well tolerated as losartan plus amlodipine in the treatment of essential hypertension.

Background: High suicide rate is reported in India, and poisoning seems to be main cause in majority of these suicide cases. An enhanced rate is seen in poisoning by hair dye, and in few places, it comprises a huge part of the poisoning cases. Objective: To study the clinical profile, electrocardiographic (ECG) changes, and biochemical parameters of patients presenting with hair dye poisoning.

Introduction: Association between Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is well established. Relationships of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) as a measure of subclinical atherosclerosis in CKD patients is a matter of debate. Current research aimed to study the role of CIMT in CKD patients and its association with the CKD staging. Material and Methods: Hundred CKD patients were studied and compared with 50 subjects without CKD in the Department of Medicine, G.R. Medical College & J.A. Group of Hospitals, Gwalior (M.P.) India. GFR was determined by MDRD (Modification of diet in renal study) equation. Study populations were subjected for high resolution B-mode Carotid ultrasonography. Results: In case group, majority were males (68%) having age between 30-60 years (62%). Majority had stage V CKD (67%), 21% had stage III and 14% had stage IV CKD. Majority of the cases had CIMT between 0.9-1.0 mm (42%) followed by 0.7-0.8 mm (17%) as compared to 0.5-0.6 mm (42%) in control. Mean CIMT was significantly higher in cases (0.87±0.24) as compared to control (0.61±0.34) group (p<0.001). No significant difference in mean CIMT was found between different stages of CKD (p=0.649). Conclusion: CKD patients have significantly more carotid arterial wall thickness in comparison to age matched controls. The CIMT does not differ in different stages of CKD.

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