A bibliometric analysis of research on genetic retinal diseases done in India

Purpose:

To conduct a bibliometric analysis of research on genetic retinal diseases (GRD) done in India published from 2011 to 2020 in peer-reviewed journals, and assess the productivity, trends in journal choice, publication types, research funding, and collaborative research.

Methods:

We searched PubMed for articles indicating both vision-related content and author affiliation with an Indian research center. We identified research collaborations and classified articles as reporting basic science, clinical science, or clinically descriptive research. Impact factors were determined from Journal Citation Reports for 2015.

Results:

The total number of published articles that were retrieved from 2011 to 2021 was 341. During the 10 years of study, the annual output of research articles has nearly doubled, that is, from 21 in 2011 to 44 in 2021. A total of 298 (87%) articles were published in international journals, and 149 (42%) articles in vision-related journals had an impact factor. A total of 224 (65%) articles came from six major eye hospitals. Clinical science articles were most frequently (86%) published, whereas basic science was the least (14%). The diseases on which the maximum and the minimum number of articles were published were retinoblastoma (n = 82,24%) and Stargardt disease (n = 3, 0.9%), respectively.

Conclusion:

This bibliometric study provides a broad view of the current status and trends in the research on GRD done in India and may help clinicians, researchers, and policymakers to better understand this research field and predict its dynamic directions.

Stigma in Bipolar Affective Disorder: A Systematic Quantitative Literature Review of Indian Studies

BACKGROUND

Bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) is one of the most common severe mental illnesses that cause morbidity. Stigma can negatively influence the disease experience in patients with BPAD. Significant differences are observed in the attributes of stigma across the various sociocultural milieus. The current review was thus conducted to compile the evidence regarding the burden and correlates of various forms of stigma in BPAD in India.

METHODS

An exhaustive literature review was conducted in PubMed, MedIND, and Google Scholar to identify Indian studies conducted on stigma in BPAD. The broad themes in various forms of stigma were identified (qualitative analysis). Quantitative analysis of measures of stigma was done, calculating the effect size in BPAD and comparator groups (schizophrenia and anxiety disorders) using standardized mean difference.

RESULTS

Overall, 12 studies could be identified for qualitative analysis, and 5 were used for quantitative analysis. Overall, the current evidence points out that the stigma in BPAD is less than that in schizophrenia but more than that in anxiety disorders. Internalized stigma in BPAD is correlated with poor self-esteem, reduced community participation, and low quality of life. Caregivers of patients with BPAD also experience significant stigma.

CONCLUSIONS

The review shows that stigma in BPAD is substantial. It also draws attention to the fact that the research regarding stigma in BPAD is lagging behind. This review also provides a platform to develop an intervention in the Indian scenario, where further research should be carried out.

A Kerala model for cardiovascular research?

India's contribution to cardiovascular research has been dismal with a share of only 1% of total number of papers published in the world during the period 1999–2008. Based on two recent studies published from Kerala, the Kerala ACS Registry and the CSI Kerala CRP Study and four other studies being undertaken in Kerala, we think that a Kerala model for cardiovascular research can be conceptualized. This model which consists of funding by professional organization of cardiologists with wide participation of cardiologists, physicians, health workers, nurses, and in some situations general public, logistics looked after by a central coordinator and study design by panel of experts or institutions of repute in the region and carried out at low cost can be considered for implementation in rest of India. Studies based on such a model may change practice pattern of cardiovascular diseases in India.

Distressing cutaneous lesion among bipolar affective disorder patients on lithium therapy: A retrospective cross-sectional study

AIM

To assess the incidence of cutaneous lesion in bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) patients on lithium therapy. To evaluate the relationship between duration of lithium therapy, dosage of lithium, serum lithium level, and cutaneous lesions. To assess whether reduction/stoppage of dose of lithium has any change in the course of cutaneous side effects. To look for a relationship between addition of isotretinoin and the course of mood disorder.

METHODOLOGY

We retrospectively collected hospital case records of 125 consecutive BPAD patients initiated lithium therapy, assessed with inclusion and exclusion criteria. We follow up them for 2½ years for the assessment of above said aims.

RESULTS

The prevalence of skin reaction in BPAD patients with lithium therapy was 19.8%. Among patients on lithium therapy, cutaneous lesion emerged in initial 6 months and later after 1 year of treatment. Nearly 55% of patients on higher doses of lithium (1200 mg) had a cutaneous lesion. Patient on therapeutic serum level of lithium had a higher incidence of skin lesion. Out of six patients in whom dosage of lithium was reduced, three of them had reduced lesions (P = 0.6), in two patients, skin lesion increased, and one patient had no change. Among 11 patients treated with isotretinoin, only two patients had emergence of depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Lithium continues to increase the incidence of multiple cutaneous lesions among BPAD patients on lithium therapy. Incidence of cutaneous side effects directly correlates with the dose of lithium and therapeutic range of serum lithium level. Altering the dose of lithium does not statistically influence the cutaneous lesion.

Widow discrimination and family caregiving in India: evidence from microdata collected from six major cities

The purpose of this research is to address the lack of a region-wide view of widow discrimination in India, the home of 42 million widows. This study analyzed the household data collected in face-to-face interviews from January to March of 2011 in six major Indian cities. It was revealed that widow discrimination does not prevail across the nation. That is, this research did not deny the existence of traditional widow discrimination in some areas but demonstrated that this phenomenon does not represent the whole nation if we focus on the widows' old age and the treatment by their families.