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Biomedical subjects

M S Bhatia

Publications and source records attributed to M S Bhatia.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

A report of cranial autonomic symptoms in migraineurs.

The presence of cranial autonomic symptoms in migraine is well known and thought to represent activation of the trigeminal parasympathetic reflex pathway similar to trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias. However, studies regarding the prevalence of these symptoms are few. The characteristics of migraineurs with cranial autonomic symptoms and the association of cranial autonomic symptoms with laterality of headache have never been studied in a clinic population. Seventy-eight consecutive subjects with migraine were recruited from the Headache Clinic of the Department of Psychiatry after exclusion of subjects with secondary headache. Their demographic data and detailed history of headache were noted and leading questions were asked regarding cranial autonomic symptoms. chi(2) test and Fisher's exact test was used for categorical variables, whereas an independent sample t-test was applied on numerical data. Spearman's correlation was used for correlational analysis of categorical variables. Female subjects (78.2%) outnumbered males and the average duration of illness in the whole sample was 3.81 years. Migraine without aura (53.8%) was the commonest diagnosis, followed by migraine with aura (24.4%). Cranial autonomic symptoms were present in 73.1% of subjects and, commonly, they were ipsilateral to headache. Moreover, strictly unilateral cranial autonomic symptoms were reported by only 32% of patients. The anatomical side of headache did not affect the presence of autonomic symptoms. Those with or without autonomic symptoms did not differ with respect to gender, diagnosis, laterality of headache or associated symptoms except phonophobia, which was more common in subjects with autonomic symptoms (P = 0.05). Those with autonomic symptoms had longer duration of illness (P = 0.03) and longer headache episodes (P = 0.04). In addition, sleep was ineffective in relieving their headache (P = 0.02). Cranial autonomic symptoms are frequent in migraineurs and are common in subjects with long duration of illness and longer headache episodes. Clinical evidence in the present study suggests that subjects with cranial autonomic symptoms have a hyperactive efferent arm of trigeminal autonomic reflex. The connections of trigeminal nucleus with the locus coeruleus and dorsal raphe nucleus may account for the observed phenotypic differences between the two groups. Further research, however, is required to elucidate the underlying neural mechanisms of cranial autonomic symptoms in migraine.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Behavioral problems in children with Down syndrome.

Forty consecutive children with Down syndrome were included as the Study Group (SG). The Control Group (CG) consisted of forty children attending the immunization clinic in pediatric OPD. Behavior Screening Questionnaire (BSQ) was used to screen the study groups as well as their siblings and control group for behavioral problems. The assessment of parental attitudes was done on Attitude Screening Questionnaire which includes 2 separate questionnaire for mother and father. Twenty two children (55%) with Down's syndrome showed behavioral problems as compared to 5 (12.5%) in control group. Children with Down's syndrome showed behavioral problems related to all the spheres (feeding, socialization, toilet training and sleep) as compared to control group. Mothers showed highly indulgent attitude as related to feeding to nearly total neglect as related to socialization and toilet training whereas in Paternal Attitude Screening Questionnaire, there was total neglect in all the spheres as compared to control group. There is higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders in children with Down's syndrome and their siblings.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Intractable psychogenic sneezing: two case reports.

Sneezing is usually the physiologic response to nasal irritation but intractable paroxysmal sneezing is very uncommon. Majority of cases of intractable sneezing are reported among adolescents and are psychogenic in origin. We report two adolescent girls with intractable paroxysmal sneezing in whom the removal of psychogenic stressors resulted incomplete remission.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Pseudoseizures.

Pseudoseizures are paroxysmal alterations in behavior that resemble seizures but are without any organic cause. They are recognized by various terms. Pseudoseizures are found in about one fourth of all patients seen with hysteria and 20% of those referred to epilepsy clinic. Pseudoseizures are often difficult to differentiate because there are client based or clinician based factors leading to misdiagnosis. Detailed history, observation, psychological testing and laboratory investigations are used for correct diagnosis. Pseudoseizures are not only to be differentiated from various forms of epilepsy but also from disorders like malingering, somatization disorder, hyperventilation, migraine, syncope etc. Management consists of making the patient and relatives aware about the causation and diagnosis. Psychotherapy (supportive and psycho-dynamic), behavior therapy (biofeedback, relaxation), drugs (anxiolytic and anti-depressants), hypnosis and placebo are used for treatment. The correct recognition is helpful in avoiding physical tests and the unnecessary use of antiepileptic drugs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Event related evoked potentials in dementia: role of vitamin E.

Dementia is a common cognitive syndrome reflecting a wide spread chronic progressive disease as an extension to normal aging process. Oxidative stress has been implicated in dementia and antioxidants have become attractive therapeutic agents. Among the antioxidants vitamin E is the most potent in the treatment of dementia. Study was conducted in 20 patients suffering from dementia in the age group of 66-74 and in 20 age and sex matched controls. Latency of the P3 component of event related evoked potential (ERP) showed an increase from 338.65 +/- 42.22 msec in control group to 348.9 +/- 46.38 msec in patients of dementia. In control group P3 latency decreased from 338.65 +/- 42.22 msec to 331.6 +/- 38.75 msec after Vitamin E therapy. In patients of dementia latency decreased significantly from 348.9 +/- 46.38 msec to 324.62 +/- 44.25 msec after vitamin therapy for one month. P3 amplitude in controls and demented was 7.2 +/- 3.62 mu v and 7.07 +/- 3.73 mu v respectively. After vitamin E therapy a statistically significant increase in amplitude (P < 0.05) was observed in controls (9.34 +/- 5.04 mu v) and in patients of dementia (9.58 +/- 5.24 mu v). The study suggests that the latency and amplitude of P3 were not significantly different in control and dementia patients, while vitamin E supplementation (oral 800 mg per day for 30 days) decreased the latency and increased the P3 amplitude in both the control and dementia patients. Our study further supports that Vitamin E supplementation, because of its antioxidant property might be decreasing oxidative stress, which may lead to improvement in cognitive pool of generator neurons of P3.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Psychosocial profile of suicide ideators, attempters and completers in India.

The study aims to determine the psychological profile of suicide ideators, attempters and completers in a tertiary care teaching hospital. A total of 260 suicidal ideators, 58 attempters and 55 completers were studied. The majority of ideators, attempters and completers were 26-35 years of age, males (except attempters who were predominantly females), married, literate up to high school, employed (ideators) or housewives (attempters and completers). The suicide ideators, attempters and completers who had a past history of attempt were 6.9%, 24.1% and 18.2% respectively. Family history of attempted suicide or completed suicide was also common among patients suffering from depression. In suicidal ideators, mixed anxiety and depressive disorder was the most common psychiatric diagnosis followed by major depression and schizophrenia. Among suicide attempters, adjustment disorder with depression was the most common diagnosis. The most common method of suicide attempt was organophosphorus compound intake whereas in suicide completers, the most common method in use was hanging. The patients with suicidal ideation or attempt need careful evaluation, early intervention and long term follow up.

Adjustment Disorders↗
PubMed2000

Delusional parasitosis: a clinical profile.

OBJECTIVE: Delusional parasitosis is a form of monohypochondriacal psychosis, a condition sometimes encountered in psychiatric or primary care practice. The outcome of this condition is not well known. METHOD: In the present study, a series of fifty-two consecutive cases of delusional parasitosis is reported. RESULTS: A majority of cases (92%) had insidious onset. The duration of symptoms in all but two cases was six months or more. Twenty-six cases presented with a delusion of infestation by insects over the body and twenty-three cases with a delusion of insects crawling over the scalp. Three cases had associated diabetes mellitus, five cases had leprosy, five cases dementia, four cases had depression, and three cases presented with trichotillomania. Pimozide was used in forty-six cases, amitriptyline and fluoxetine in three cases each. Twenty-eight cases (54%) showed complete remission while receiving pharmacotherapy, eighteen cases showed partial improvement, and six cases did not respond to treatment. CONCLUSION: Further studies are warranted to study the treatment and outcome of this important psychiatric disorder.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Allergy to tartrazine in psychotropic drugs.

BACKGROUND: High psychiatric morbidity has been reported among those who complain of food intolerance or allergy. Many cases of food allergy or intolerance to drugs are not due to allergy to the food or drugs themselves, but to the additives used for coloring, flavoring, preserving, thickening, emulsifying, or stabilizing the product. Of various coloring dyes used, tartrazine (FD & C yellow no. 5) is the color most frequently incriminated in producing allergic reactions. The exact epidemiology and pattern of allergic reactions to tartrazine in psychotropic drugs have not been frequently studied and reported. METHOD: The present study included consecutive outpatients (May 1996 to April 1998) who developed allergic reactions or intolerance to tartrazine in psychotropic drugs. Total patients exposed to tartrazine-containing drugs were also recorded. The subjects showing allergic reactions to tartrazine were then exposed to non-tartrazine-containing brands. RESULTS: Of 2210 patients exposed to tartrazine-containing drugs, 83 (3.8%) developed allergic reactions. The symptoms subsided within 24 to 48 hours of stopping the drug. None of the patients showed allergy to non-tartrazine-containing brands. History of allergy to tartrazine was present in 13.2%, and 15.7% of patients had a history of aspirin sensitivity. CONCLUSION: Tartrazine allergy should be considered in patients developing drug allergy, because it would require changing the brand rather than stopping treatment with that drug.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Hysterical aphonia--an analysis of 25 cases.

Hysteria is a common neurotic disorder in psychiatric practice. Many of its conversion symptoms have not been studied in detail. In the present prospective study in a tertiary care teaching hospital, 25 cases of hysterical aphonia were analysed. There were 17 females and 8 males. Mean age of presentation was 18.4 years in females and 21.2 years in males. Majority of patients were literate upto primary class, belonging to joint family and had urban background. Duration of symptoms was within 2 weeks. Most common precipitating factor was stress of examination or failure followed by quarrels with peers or spouse. In 20% cases, cause was not known. Comorbid psychiatric disorders were found in 80% cases, the most common being mixed anxiety and depressive disorder (36%) followed by generalized anxiety disorder (20%).

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Psychosocial dysfunction in tuberculosis patients.

Tuberculosis continues to be a major health problem in India. It carries social stigma and results in adverse psychological sequelae. In the present study, 50 patients suffering from tuberculosis were examined. There was higher degree of neuroticism and the patients with tuberculosis showed marked to severe psychosocial dysfunctioning in personal, familial, vocational, social and cognitive areas.

Adolescent↗