Background: There are diverse treatment modalities available for managing pediatric dentate mandibular fractures, ranging from various closed reduction techniques to open reduction methods. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the most appropriate and preferred management method for pediatric dentate mandibular fractures, focusing on outcomes such as wound infection and malocclusion. Methods: A systematic search was performed using the PubMed Central and Scopus databases from January 1980 to December 2022, following PRISMA guidelines. The inclusion criteria comprised case reports with more than 10 cases, clinical trials, and prospective and retrospective clinical studies addressing the management of displaced dentate-segment mandibular fractures in patients up to 15 years old using open and/or closed reduction techniques. Results: Six retrospective studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The primary outcomes assessed were wound infection and malocclusion. The pooled estimate for wound infection significantly favored the maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) group (p= 0.0007). In contrast, although the pooled estimate for malocclusion favored surgical treatment, the difference was not statistically significant (p= 0.86). Conclusion The risk of wound infection is significantly lower with MMF in pediatric mandibular fractures, while open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) using miniplates is associated with a relatively lower risk of malocclusion, although this difference is not statistically significant. The authors conclude that, based on reduced wound infection rates, MMF should be the preferred management approach, whereas ORIF should be reserved for severely displaced and comminuted fractures. Future randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes are needed to validate and strengthen these findings.

Background: There are diverse treatment modalities available for managing pediatric dentate mandibular fractures, ranging from various closed reduction techniques to open reduction methods. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the most appropriate and preferred management method for pediatric dentate mandibular fractures, focusing on outcomes such as wound infection and malocclusion. Methods: A systematic search was performed using the PubMed Central and Scopus databases from January 1980 to December 2022, following PRISMA guidelines. The inclusion criteria comprised case reports with more than 10 cases, clinical trials, and prospective and retrospective clinical studies addressing the management of displaced dentate-segment mandibular fractures in patients up to 15 years old using open and/or closed reduction techniques. Results: Six retrospective studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The primary outcomes assessed were wound infection and malocclusion. The pooled estimate for wound infection significantly favored the maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) group (p= 0.0007). In contrast, although the pooled estimate for malocclusion favored surgical treatment, the difference was not statistically significant (p= 0.86). Conclusion The risk of wound infection is significantly lower with MMF in pediatric mandibular fractures, while open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) using miniplates is associated with a relatively lower risk of malocclusion, although this difference is not statistically significant. The authors conclude that, based on reduced wound infection rates, MMF should be the preferred management approach, whereas ORIF should be reserved for severely displaced and comminuted fractures. Future randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes are needed to validate and strengthen these findings.

Background: There are diverse treatment modalities available for managing pediatric dentate mandibular fractures, ranging from various closed reduction techniques to open reduction methods. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the most appropriate and preferred management method for pediatric dentate mandibular fractures, focusing on outcomes such as wound infection and malocclusion. Methods: A systematic search was performed using the PubMed Central and Scopus databases from January 1980 to December 2022, following PRISMA guidelines. The inclusion criteria comprised case reports with more than 10 cases, clinical trials, and prospective and retrospective clinical studies addressing the management of displaced dentate-segment mandibular fractures in patients up to 15 years old using open and/or closed reduction techniques. Results: Six retrospective studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The primary outcomes assessed were wound infection and malocclusion. The pooled estimate for wound infection significantly favored the maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) group (p= 0.0007). In contrast, although the pooled estimate for malocclusion favored surgical treatment, the difference was not statistically significant (p= 0.86). Conclusion The risk of wound infection is significantly lower with MMF in pediatric mandibular fractures, while open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) using miniplates is associated with a relatively lower risk of malocclusion, although this difference is not statistically significant. The authors conclude that, based on reduced wound infection rates, MMF should be the preferred management approach, whereas ORIF should be reserved for severely displaced and comminuted fractures. Future randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes are needed to validate and strengthen these findings.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), once considered a disease of the Western hemisphere, has emerged as a global disease. As the disease prevalence is on a steady rise, management of IBD has come under the spotlight. 5-Aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents and biologics are the backbone of treatment of IBD. With the advent of biologics and small molecules, the need for surgery and hospitalization has decreased. However, economic viability and acceptability is an important determinant of local prescription patterns. Nearly one-third of the patients in West receive biologics as the first/initial therapy. The scenario is different in developing countries where biologics are used only in a small proportion of patients with IBD. Increased risk of reactivation of tuberculosis and high cost of the therapy are limitations to their use. Thiopurines hence become critical for optimal management of patients with IBD in these regions. However, approximately one-third of patients are intolerant or develop adverse effects with their use. This has led to suboptimal use of thiopurines in clinical practice. This review article discusses the clinical aspects of thiopurine use in patients with IBD with the aim of optimizing their use to full therapeutic potential.

Background/Aims: The national registry for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was designed to study epidemiology and prescribing pattern of treatment of IBD in India. Methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional, prospective registry was established across four geographical zones of India. Adult patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease (CD) were enrolled between January 2014 and December 2015. Information related to demographics; disease features; complications; and treatment history were collected and analyzed. Results: A total of 3,863 patients (mean age, 36.7 ± 13.6 years; 3,232 UC [83.7%] and 631 CD [16.3%]) were enrolled. The majority of patients with UC (n = 1,870, 57.9%) were from north, CD was more common in south (n = 348, 55.5%). The UC:CD ratio was 5.1:1. There was a male predominance (male:female = 1.6:1). The commonest presentation of UC was moderately severe (n = 1,939, 60%) and E2 disease (n = 1,895, 58.6%). Patients with CD most commonly presented with ileocolonic (n = 229, 36.3%) inflammatory (n = 504, 79.9%) disease. Extraintestinal manifestations were recorded among 13% and 20% of patients in UC and CD respectively. Less than 1% patients from both cohorts developed colon cancer (n = 26, 0.7%). The commonly used drugs were 5-aminosalicylates (99%) in both UC and CD followed by azathioprine (34.4%). Biologics were used in only 1.5% of patients; more commonly for UC in north and CD in south. Conclusions The national IBD registry brings out diversities in the 4 geographical zones of India. This will help in aiding research on IBD and improving quality of patient care.

Objectives: The quality of life declines gradually as women enter menopause, owing to the various problems associated with estrogen deficiency and aging, which adds to their morbidities. This study aimed to investigate the patterns of morbidity among rural menopausal women and compare the morbidity patterns among menopausal transition group and post-menopausal women. Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study included menopausal women aged 45–55 years from rural areas of the Etawah district, Uttar Pradesh, India. To select blocks and villages of the district, multistage random sampling was performed. According to a pretested, semistructured schedule, data were collected through interviews. Results: A total of 315 women participated in the study. The most frequent complaints among the participants were of feeling tired and worn out (85.1%) and of muscle and joint pains (67.6%). Poor memory (P = 0.046) and diabetes (P = 0.024) were more common in women who were in the menopause transition phase than in those who were in the postmenopausal phase. Conclusions This study showed that majority of the menopausal women suffered from physical problems. Lifestyle modification and awareness programs will be beneficial among women in menopausal transition, to reduce the morbidity later in post-menopausal stage.Behaviour change communication, family and community support are essential in post-menopausal women, to help them cope with various morbid conditions.

Background/Aims: The national registry for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was designed to study epidemiology and prescribing pattern of treatment of IBD in India. Methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional, prospective registry was established across four geographical zones of India. Adult patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease (CD) were enrolled between January 2014 and December 2015. Information related to demographics; disease features; complications; and treatment history were collected and analyzed. Results: A total of 3,863 patients (mean age, 36.7 ± 13.6 years; 3,232 UC [83.7%] and 631 CD [16.3%]) were enrolled. The majority of patients with UC (n = 1,870, 57.9%) were from north, CD was more common in south (n = 348, 55.5%). The UC:CD ratio was 5.1:1. There was a male predominance (male:female = 1.6:1). The commonest presentation of UC was moderately severe (n = 1,939, 60%) and E2 disease (n = 1,895, 58.6%). Patients with CD most commonly presented with ileocolonic (n = 229, 36.3%) inflammatory (n = 504, 79.9%) disease. Extraintestinal manifestations were recorded among 13% and 20% of patients in UC and CD respectively. Less than 1% patients from both cohorts developed colon cancer (n = 26, 0.7%). The commonly used drugs were 5-aminosalicylates (99%) in both UC and CD followed by azathioprine (34.4%). Biologics were used in only 1.5% of patients; more commonly for UC in north and CD in south. Conclusions The national IBD registry brings out diversities in the 4 geographical zones of India. This will help in aiding research on IBD and improving quality of patient care.

Objectives: The quality of life declines gradually as women enter menopause, owing to the various problems associated with estrogen deficiency and aging, which adds to their morbidities. This study aimed to investigate the patterns of morbidity among rural menopausal women and compare the morbidity patterns among menopausal transition group and post-menopausal women. Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study included menopausal women aged 45–55 years from rural areas of the Etawah district, Uttar Pradesh, India. To select blocks and villages of the district, multistage random sampling was performed. According to a pretested, semistructured schedule, data were collected through interviews. Results: A total of 315 women participated in the study. The most frequent complaints among the participants were of feeling tired and worn out (85.1%) and of muscle and joint pains (67.6%). Poor memory (P = 0.046) and diabetes (P = 0.024) were more common in women who were in the menopause transition phase than in those who were in the postmenopausal phase. Conclusions This study showed that majority of the menopausal women suffered from physical problems. Lifestyle modification and awareness programs will be beneficial among women in menopausal transition, to reduce the morbidity later in post-menopausal stage.Behaviour change communication, family and community support are essential in post-menopausal women, to help them cope with various morbid conditions.

Introduction: This paper presents the case studies of the green, open spaces and transport issues in three cities of the Asian region based on the work of participants from the Workshop of Health in Urban Planning. Methods: Three case studies were collected from the participants of Thailand, India, and Indonesia, and compiled under the theme. Results: The first case study presents findings from the Thailand’s Survey on Physical Activity (SPA), and various strategies taken by the Thai government to improve physical activity levels among the Thai population and children, including improved accessibility, walkability; and reconstruction of school curricula. The second case study is an empirical study of the geographical extent and type of green spaces accessible to the urban population, and their usage in the city of Varanasi, India, in the wake of Yoga practice popularity. The third case study discusses the insufficient transport infrastructures, along with the influx of visitors from outside the city as the cause of severe traffic congestions and emissions in Bandung city, Indonesia. The governments’ action plans and recommendations for improvements of the city environment are discussed. Conclusion: Integrating health into urban and transport planning needs co-operations from multiple stakeholders including the government, private sectors, and the communities, especially from the early phase of development.

Despite several recent advances in therapy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) therapy has retained its place especially in ulcerative colitis. This consensus on 5-ASA is obtained through a modified Delphi process, and includes guiding statements and recommendations based on literature evidence (randomized trials, and observational studies), clinical practice, and expert opinion on use of 5-ASA in IBD by Indian gastroenterologists. The aim is to aid practitioners in selecting appropriate treatment strategies and facilitate optimal use of 5-ASA in patients with IBD.