Background Socio-demographics and comorbidities are involved in determining the severity and fatality in patients with COVID-19 suggested by studies in various countries, but study in Bangladesh is insufficient. Aims We designed the study to evaluate the association of sociodemographic and comorbidities with the prognosis of adverse health outcomes in patients with COVID-19 in Bangladesh. Methods A multivariate retrospective cohort study was conducted on data from 966 RT-PCR positive patients from eight divisions during December 13, 2020, to February 13, 2021. Variables included sociodemographic, comorbidities, symptoms, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) and access to health facilities. Major outcome was fatality. Secondary outcomes included hospitalization, duration of hospital stay, requirement of mechanical ventilation and severity. Results Male (65.8%, 636 of 966) was predominant and mean age was 39.8 ± 12.6 years. Fever (79%), dry cough (55%), and loss of test/smell (51%) were frequent and 74% patients had >3 symptoms. Fatality was recorded in 10.5% patients. Comorbidities were found in 44% patients. Hypertension (21.5%) diabetes (14.6%), and cardiovascular diseases (11.3%) were most prevalent. Age >60 years (OR: 4.83, 95% CI: 2.45–6.49), and CCI >3 (OR: 5.48, 95% CI: 3.95–7.24) were predictors of hospitalizations. CCI >4 (aOR: 3.41, 95% CI: 2.57–6.09) was predictor of severity. Age >60 years (aOR: 3.77, 95% CI: 1.07–6.34), >3 symptoms (aOR: 2.14, 95% CI: 0.97–4.91) and CCI >3 vs. CCI <3 (aOR: 5.23, 95% CI: 3.77–8.09) were independently associated with fatality. Conclusions Increased age, >3 symptoms, increasing comorbidities, higher CCI were associated with increased hospitalization, severity and fatality in patients with COVID-19.

Objectives: To find out if combined general anaesthesia (GA) with high thoracic epidural anaesthesia (HTEA) was better in controlling haemodynamic condition and reducing incidences of arrhythmia during induction of GA and during positioning and handling of the heart itself by the surgeons. Materials and Method: Forty (40) patients of 40-65 yrs age were randomly selected and divided in two groups (group A, n= 20: combined HTEA and GA- study group, group B, n= 20: GA alone- control group). Group A received HTEA introduced through an indwelling epidural catheter at C7-T1 or T1-T2 interspace. Lignocaine (1%) 5 ml and Bupivacain (0.25%) 5ml with Fentanyl 10 mg was given through the catheter as bolus followed by Bupivacain (0.25%) 5ml with Fentanyl 10 mg was given at 2 hours interval. General anaesthesia was induced and maintained in a standardized manner for all patients of both the groups. The parameters monitored were Heart Rate (HR), Arterial Blood Pressure (ABP), and Electrocardiogram (ECG - arrhythmia and ST changes), Oxygen saturation (SpO2) and Central Venous Pressure (CVP) during the procedure Results: Induction of GA was smoother and with fewer blood pressure peaks in all patients of group A. They demonstrated a stable haemodynamic status throughout operation in general and during positioning of the heart and bypass grafting in particular. Incidences and severity of cardiac arrhythmias were also less during these periods. Conclusion: Combined HTEA-GA technique for OPCAB procedure is safe and affords to achieve stable haemodynamic status during induction of GA. It also allows reducing incidence of arrhythmias during cardiac position and grafting. Regarding the above qualities, group A appeared superior to group B. DOI: 10.3329/jbcps.v26i3.4193 J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2008; 26: 116-120

Background: In recent years, high thoracic anaesthesia (HTEA) combined with general anaesthesia has been extensively studied in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery with or without cardiopulmonary bypass. Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting was implemented to reduce trauma of surgical coronary revascularization by avoiding extracorporeal circulation. TEA in combination with GA further reduces intraoperative stress resulting in more rapid extubation and significantly better pain relief in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB). In addition, common postoperative complications are also decreased. Methodology: 40 male patients aged between 40-65 years with CAD undergoing OPCAB surgery at NICVD from April 2006 to October 2008 were randomly divided in two groups. Group A received epidural analgesic drugs through an indwelling catheter introduced before induction of anesthesia while group B patients received standard general anesthesia (GA) alone. Group A patients received continuous epidural analgesia delivered through the indwelling catheter with a mixture of Lignocaine (2%) 20 ml + Bupivacaine (0.5%) 20 ml + Fentanyl 50 gm 1 ml + normal saline q.v. 50 ml at the rate of 1-2 ml/hour by a syringe pump for up to 72 hours. Group B patients received conventional intermittent narcotics (Morphine)/NSAIDS (Ketorolac/Diclofen) for up to 72 hours. Results: Haemodynamic parameters of all patients in both the groups were within acceptable range throughout operations. Incidence of cardiac dysrhythmias was less in patients of group A. Group A patients showed faster recovery and better analgesia compared to Group B patients. There was also decreased incidence of nausea, vomiting, arrhythmia, O2 desaturation, confusional states, renal failure and requirement of iontropic support in ICU in Group A patients. TEA for postoperative analgesia was safe and well accepted by the patients. There was no complication related to epidural anesthesia in any patient. Conclusion: TEA in general anesthesia provides faster recovery and effective analgesia. Nonetheless, the actual and potential risks of TEA during cardiac surgery should not be underestimated. Keywords: Thoracic epidural anaesthesia; OPCAB; Postoperative analgesia DOI: 10.3329/cardio.v2i2.6632Cardiovasc. j. 2010; 2(2) : 156-162

This study aimed to examine the prevalence of underweight and determine the sociodemographic and household environmental correlates of underweight among women of reproductive age in Nepal. This study also compared the time trends in the prevalence of underweight with the trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity. This cross-sectional study was a secondary data analysis of the nationally representative population-based Nepal Demographic and Health Surveys (NDHSs). Firstly, the time trends of the prevalence of underweight (body mass index (BMI) < 18.5 kg / m2) among women aged 15–49 years were examined at five-year intervals, from the 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, and 2016 NDHSs (n = 33,507). Secondly, the sociodemographic and household environmental correlates of underweight were examined from the latest NDHS 2016 (n = 6165). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the sociodemographic and household environmental correlates of underweight. From 1996 to 2016, the prevalence of underweight decreased from 25.3% (95% confidence interval (CI) 23.8%, 26.8%) to 16.9% (95%CI 16.0%, 17.8%), while the prevalence of overweight and obesity increased from 1.6% (95%CI 1.2%, 2.1%) to 15.6% (95%CI 14.7%, 16.5%) and 0.2% (95%CI 0.1%, 0.4%) to 4.1% (95%CI 3.6%, 4.6%), respectively. Sociodemographic factors, such as age, educational status, marital status, wealth index, and religion, were independently associated with the risk of underweight. Similarly, household environmental factors, such as province of residence, ecological zone, type of toilet facility, and household possessions, including television and mobile phone, were independently associated with the risk of underweight. Despite the declining trends, the prevalence of underweight among Nepalese women remains a public health challenge. Understanding the key sociodemographic and household environmental correlates of underweight may assist in streamlining the content of health promotion campaigns to address undernutrition and potentially mitigate adverse health outcomes.

Bladder cancer is the second most common malignancy of the genitourinary system. Several types of carcinoma arise on the urothelial surface, the most common type being transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). The incidence of TCC in the bladder in the UK is 45 cases per 100,000 population. Painless haematuria is the most common presenting symptom in 85-90% of patients with bladder cancer, although recurrent urinary tract infection & obstructive symptoms may occur. Physical examination is usually unremarkable except in very advanced disease. Investigation of haematuria as well as cytological examination of urine for malignant cell and renal imaging study usually identifies the tumour. Treatment of TCC of bladder primarily involves surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy as needed. Radical cystectomy for TCC in elderly carries adverse prognosis because of associated co-morbid conditions like hypertension, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) & ischaemic heart disease (IHD). However, close co-operation between different disciplines can make radical curative surgery a viable alternative even in these high-risk groups.   doi:10.3329/jom.v10i3.2017 J Medicine 2009; 10 (Supplement 1): 40-42