Objective The aim of the study was to compare the effects of single intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and corticosteroid (CS) injections in patients with adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. Design Patients aged 18–70 yrs of either sex, diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis of shoulder, with less than 6-mo duration, were included. In intra-articular corticosteroid (IA-CS, control) group, 30 patients received a single injection (4 ml) of IA-CS and in IA-PRP (test) group, 30 patients received single IA-PRP injection (4 ml) into the glenohumeral joint under ultrasound guidance. All patients were prospectively followed for 12 wks. Results Twenty-eight patients in IA-PRP group and 27 in IA-CS group finished the entire 12-wk study period. At 12 wks, decrements in visual analog scale and total shoulder pain and disability index scores, in IA-PRP group, were 58.4 and 55.1, compared with 48.7 and 45.8 in IA-CS group. In range of movement, IA-PRP group showed significant improvement in passive abduction (−50.4 vs. −39.4), internal (−36.8 vs. −25.8), and external rotations (−35.4 vs. −25.9) compared with IA-CS group, respectively. No major complications were observed in any patients. Conclusions At 12-wk follow-up, a single dose of IA-PRP injection was found to be more effective than an IA-CS injection, in terms of improving pain, disability, and shoulder range of movement in patients with adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder.

Background: Transfusion transmitted infections (TTIs) involves several adverse consequences. Studies have shown that ABO blood groups have some association with various infectious and non-infectious diseases. Few blood groups even can act as a receptor and ligand for infectious agents. The objective of the study was to find out any significant association of TTIs with various ABO and Rh D blood group system.Methods: This retrospective study was conducted from July 2016 to October 2018. Blood donors’ blood was tested for ABO and Rh D grouping and five mandatory TTI markers as per Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Chi-square test was performed to look for any association of TTIs with ABO and Rh D blood group.Results: 10,510 healthy donors were screened for TTI and 199 (1.89%) were positive for various TTIs. Hepatitis B had maximum prevalence (102 cases, 0.97%) followed by Hepatitis C (44 cases, 0.41%) and HIV (37 cases, 0.35%). Maximum TTI seroreactive donors were found among ‘B’ blood group (2.21%, 77 cases) followed group ‘A’ donors (2.16%, 53 cases), ‘O’ donors (1.57%, 60 cases) and ‘AB’ donors (1.17%, 9 cases), respectively. However, the risk of association of TTI was not statistically significant with ABO and Rh D blood group.Conclusions: Although no significant association was observed between ABO and Rh D blood groups with TTIs, Hepatitis B was found to be most common infection in blood donors. This high prevalence points towards critical need of comprehensive public health approach to achieve elimination of TTI.

This meta-analysis reveals the superiority of FG over sutures as the use of FG can significantly reduce the recurrence rate, but no significant difference in graft stability was found between FG and sutures. No significant difference was found in the recurrence rate between FG and ABC, but graft stability was found to be better with FG compared with ABC.

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Objectives: To study the accuracy and reliability of two point of care devices (Hemocue 201 [HC201]) and Hemoglobin Colour Scale (HCS) with reference to automated laboratory analyser Sysmex XP 100 (LabSXP) and determine factors influencing their performances. To discuss certain design issues while ascertaining these parameters for its judicious use in both clinical context and disease burden studies.Methods: Reliability and accuracy statistics were calculated for four population subgroups that were selected randomly using cluster sampling in a rural community of eastern India. Appropriate measures were taken to reduce biases in the study. Bland Altmann Plot was used to determine Bias and ROC curve analysis was used to suggest new cut-offs for HCS method.Results: True prevalence varied across subgroups ranging from 12.56% in adolescent boys to 40.71% in adult women. Sensitivity for HC201 was lowest among boys (80.39%) and highest among adult females (92.82%), while specificity was highest among adult males (86.94%) and lowest among adult females (75.00%). The variation across subgroups was due to differences in distribution of underlying Hb values. HC201 has potential for use in clinical practice as well as disease burden estimation study. HCS was not suitable for use in clinical setting as the bias (−4.1 g/dl) was unacceptable. However, ROC analysis suggested certain cut-offs for different age groups and can be employed in poor resource settings for disease burden estimation study.Conclusions: HC201 is better than HCS as per the study. However, accuracy parameters are likely to vary depending on the distribution of underlying Hb distribution. Thus, same machines can demonstrate different accuracy parameters in different settings. There is need for designing studies that could help estimate these parameters each time on a subsample which would go a long way in efficiently using technology be it for guiding clinical decisions or public health actions.

Background and Objectives Blood donor deferral is an essential tool for blood safety. The ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic has adversely affected blood transfusion services all over the world. But its impact on donor deferral rate and the pattern is unclear in light of the new donor deferral policy due to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Materials and Methods This retrospective study was divided into pre‐COVID and COVID (15 March 2019–14 March 2021). All the deferred donors were divided into six different categories: (1) medical causes, (2) surgical causes, (3) drugs and vaccination, (4) risk of transfusion‐transmitted diseases, (5) miscellaneous causes and (6) flu‐like symptoms. In addition, COVID‐related deferrals were also incorporated. All these above categories along with the donor demography were analysed by SPSS software version 25. Results The donor deferral rate was 17.03% and 12.74% during the pre‐COVID and COVID periods, respectively. During the pre‐COVID period, Category 3 deferrals and during COVID period, Category 6 deferrals were significantly higher. A reversal in pattern with increased blood pressure (40.2% vs. 24.04%) over‐riding low haemoglobin (34.77% vs. 55.5%) was noted in the Category 1 deferral during the COVID period. Category 1 deferral was more in middle‐aged adults as compared to young and old adults (p < 0.05). Among middle‐aged adults, deferral due to flu‐like symptoms was also significantly more during the COVID period (p < 0.05). Conclusion COVID‐19 significantly affected the donor pool and changed the pattern of donor deferral. Understanding donor deferral patterns may help in identifying targeted donor populations and planning donor recruitment strategies in future pandemic crises.

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Background and Objectives Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has been used in severe COVID‐19 disease to eliminate the cytokine storm. This meta‐analysis aims to assess the effectiveness of TPE in reducing mortality in severe COVID‐19 disease compared to standard treatment. Materials and Methods A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, the Cochrane database and the International Clinical Trial Registry Platform (ICTRP). The random‐effect model was used to calculate the risk ratio and standardized mean difference (SMD) as pooled effect size for the difference in mortality and length of the intensive care unit (ICU) stay. The risk of bias and publication bias were assessed in R version 4.1.0. The certainty of the evidence was calculated using the GradePro tool. Results The database identified 382 participants from six studies, including one randomized control trial. Egger's test did not detect any publication bias (p = 0.178). The random model analysis for mortality evaluated a risk ratio of 0.38 (95% CI: 0.28–0.52) with a significant reduction in the TPE group. The certainty of the evidence was moderate, with a risk ratio of 0.34 (95% CI: 0.24–0.49). Length of ICU stays between TPE versus standard care showed an SMD of 0.08 (95% CI: −0.38, 0.55) and was not significant. Conclusion The length of ICU stay in the TPE group was not different from standard care. However, this meta‐analysis revealed a significant benefit of TPE in reducing mortality in severe COVID‐19 disease compared to standard treatment.