Static and Dynamic Foot Pressure Changes Among Diabetic Patients With and Without Neuropathy: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION

Foot ulceration is a frequent diabetic complication with potentially fatal consequences. The pathophysiology of neuropathic ulcers in the diabetic foot is thought to be influenced by abnormal plantar pressures.

AIM

This study aimed to compare the maximum peak pressures among diabetic patients with and without neuropathy. The secondary aim was to evaluate the effect of glycemic control on pressure changes in both feet.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study used 62 diabetic individuals as participants. BMI was calculated, as well as illness duration, hemoglobin A1c, and the existence of neuropathy. Plantar pressure was measured in static (standing) and dynamic (walking/taking a step on the mat) settings for all patients using the BTS P-Walk system. The plantar pressures (kPa) at the five metatarsal regions, the midfoot region, and the medial and lateral heel regions were measured.

RESULTS

We found that the dynamic maximum pressures were significantly higher in patients with diabetic neuropathy (DN) compared to diabetics without neuropathy at the first metatarsal and mid-foot area in both feet (p<0.05). We also found significantly elevated plantar pressure in patients with poor glycemic control under the second metatarsal head in the right foot (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Persons with DN have higher maximum plantar pressures compared to diabetics without neuropathy. Patients with poor glycemic control also have a higher maximum pressure.

A Rare Case of Disseminated Histoplasmosis With Hemophagocytic Syndrome in a Patient With Diabetes Mellitus: A Case Report

We report a case of Histoplasma-associated hemophagocytic syndrome in a diabetes mellitus patient. The patient presented with a fever, cough, and an ulcer on the tongue. The biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of histoplasmosis from the tongue ulcer. Other investigations revealed normal clusters of differentiation 4 (CD4) count and increased hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. The patient was diagnosed with hemophagocytic syndrome secondary to Histoplasma after fulfilling the hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)-2004 criteria required for diagnosis, including fever (with peak temperatures of >38.5° C), splenomegaly, cytopenia affecting two cell lineages in peripheral blood, hypertriglyceridemia (fasting triglycerides >265 mg/dL), and hemophagocytosis in the bone marrow biopsy. The patient was started on injection amphotericin B with remarkable improvement.

Clinical Characteristics of 100 Patients With COVID-19-Associated Mucormycosis From a Tertiary Care Center in North India

Background

Fungal infection in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a new challenge in healthcare facilities. This study aimed to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM).

Methodology

This retrospective, single-center case series included patients who were hospitalized and diagnosed with COVID-19 and mucormycosis at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh (North India) from April 15, 2021, onwards and last followed up on June 30, 2021. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, radiological, microbiological, pathological, and outcome data were then collected and analyzed.

Results

Of the 100 consecutive inpatients with CAM, 95 (95%) had diabetes mellitus. At the onset of illness, the most common manifestations were facial swelling (85%), eye swelling (83%), headache (68%), pain around the eyeball (67%), malaise (57%), and fever (50%). The most common organ involved on examination was the nose and paranasal sinus (96%), followed by the orbit (83%), palate (19%), and cranial nerves (7%). Pulmonary involvement was seldom observed (1%). Predominant pathological findings were the presence of aseptate hyphae (75%), necrosis (75%), angioinvasion (36%), and perineural invasion (2.6%). During the last follow-up, 13 patients died, with 11 (84.6%) having severe COVID-19 and two (15.3%) having moderate COVID-19.

Conclusions

Steroid use and diabetes mellitus are the significant risk factors of CAM. Patients with CAM usually present with face/eye swelling with radiological involvement of the nose and sinus and may die because of severe COVID-19.

Case Report: Groove pancreatitis—a lesser-known entity

Groove pancreatitis is an uncommon disease affecting the pancreatic groove region within the dorsal–cranial aspect of the head of the pancreas, duodenum, and common bile duct. The diagnosis is challenging as pancreatic adenocarcinoma also presents similarly. The patient can present with diffuse pain abdomen, weight loss, nausea, and vomiting. The diagnosis is quite challenging, as it is difficult to differentiate it from other diagnoses on radiological imaging. Medical management is the pillar of therapy, and surgical management is indicated in recurrent and intractable symptomatic cases. Here, we present a case diagnosed as groove pancreatitis and managed conservatively.

Mixed invasive fungal infections among COVID-19 patients

Background and Purpose

The healthcare system in India collapsed during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. A fungal epidemic was announced amid the pandemic with several cases of COVID-associated mucormycosis and pulmonary aspergillosis being reported. However, there is limited data regarding mixed fungal infections in COVID-19 patients. Therefore, we present a series of ten consecutive COVID-19 patients with mixed invasive fungal infections (MIFIs).

Materials and Methods

Among COVID-19 patients hospitalized in May 2021 at a tertiary care center in North India, 10 cases of microbiologically confirmed COVID-19-associated mucormycosis-aspergillosis (CAMA) were evaluated.

Results

All patients had diabetes and the majority of them were infected with severe COVID-19 pneumonia (6/10, 60%) either on admission or in the past month while two were each of moderate (20%) and mild (20%) categories of COVID-19; and were treated with steroid and cocktail therapy. The patients were managed with amphotericin-B along with surgical intervention. In total, 70% of all CAMA patients (Rhizopus arrhizus with Aspergillus flavus in seven and Aspergillus fumigatus complex in three patients) survived.

Conclusion

The study findings reflected the critical importance of a high index of clinical suspicion and accurate microbiological diagnosis in managing invasive dual molds and better understanding of the risk and progression of MIFIs among COVID-19 patients. Careful scrutiny and identification of MIFIs play a key role in the implementation of effective management strategies.