RESUMEN
The timely and accurate adverse drug reactions (ADR) assessment is vital for effective patient management and healthcare delivery. The Naranjo Algorithm is a widely recognized tool for determining the probability that a drug induces a given ADR. However, the process can be time-consuming and susceptible to human error. This study introduces a Python-based console application (Python Software Foundation, Wilmington, Delaware, United States) designed to automate the Naranjo Algorithm for ADR causality assessment. The application was developed using Python 3.11.4 on a Windows 11 system (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Washington, United States) and compiled in Notepad (Microsoft Corporation), a basic text editor, highlighting its accessibility and ease of use in various settings. User input is solicited for each question in the Naranjo Algorithm, validated for acceptable entries, and subsequently scored. The final score categorizes the reaction into Doubtful, Possible, Probable, or Definite ADR, facilitating rapid clinical decision-making. Preliminary validation shows promising reliability and effectiveness, making it a valuable asset in research and clinical settings for assessment.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: There is a lack of knowledge about epilepsy among the students and the population in general, with consequent prejudice and discrimination toward epileptic patients. OBJECTIVES: Knowledge, behavior, attitude and myth toward epilepsy among urban school children in Bareilly district was studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among students of 10 randomly selected secondary schools of the urban areas in Bareilly district. A structured, pretested questionnaire was used to collect data regarding sociodemographic characteristics and assess the subject's knowledge, behavior, attitude and myth toward epilepsy. RESULTS: Of the 798 students (533 boys and 265 girls) studied, around 98.6% had heard of epilepsy. About 63.7% correctly thought that epilepsy is a brain disorder while 81.8% believed it to be a psychiatric disorder. Other prevalent misconceptions were that epilepsy is an inherited disorder (71.55%) and that the disease is transmitted by eating a nonvegetarian diet (49%). Most of them thought that epilepsy can be cured (69.3) and that an epileptic patient needs lifelong treatment (77.2). On witnessing a seizure, about 51.5% of the students would take the person to the hospital. Majority (72.31%) of the students thought that children with epilepsy should study in a special school. CONCLUSIONS: Although majority of the students had reasonable knowledge of epilepsy, myths and superstitions about the condition still prevail in a significant proportion of the urban school children. It may be worthwhile including awareness programs about epilepsy in school education to dispel misconceptions about epilepsy.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Urinary tract Infection (UTI) is among the most common infections described in outpatient setting and hospital patients. In almost all cases empirical antimicrobial treatment initiates before the laboratory results of urine culture are available; thus antibiotic resistance may increase in uropathogens due to frequent use of antibiotics. AIMS: The study was designed to find the prevalence of UTI in females with urinary tract symptoms, to determine the causative organism (s) of UTI, and to determine the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of microbial agents isolated from urine culture (antibiogram). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prospective, observational study involved 139 females, aged 15 years and above clinically suspected for UTI attending outpatient Departments of Vivekananda Polyclinic and Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow. A structured questionnaire was used to interview the study subjects. A chi-square test and Fisher Exact test were used to analyze data. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of UTI was found to be 45.32% (63/139). Escherichia coli (33.1%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (7.9%) were the most common organisms isolated. The most effective antibiotic for both was Nitrofurantoin. CONCLUSIONS: Regular monitoring is required to establish reliable information about susceptibility pattern of urinary pathogens for optimal empirical therapy of patients with UTI.