Background: Good prescribing practices form the essence of drug therapy for better patient care. The major aim of better prescribing is to improve rational prescribing. Deprescribing gained momentum in recent decades. Objective: This study aimed to explore the attitude and beliefs of deprescribing among patients and their caregivers forming dyads in a tertiary health care facility. Methods: Cross-sectional, questionnaire-based prospective study done for two months. Attitude towards deprescribing was assessed by using validated rPATD (revised Patient attitude towards deprescribing) questionnaire. Cohen's kappa coefficient was used to measure the agreement between the views of people and their caregivers forming dyads about medication cessation. Results: 312 patients and caregivers (156 forming dyads) participated in the study. Among 156 patients, 25.6% were hypertensives & 21.2% had diabetes. 41.7% were between 36-50 years of age. Only 16.7% belong to the elderly age group. 2.5% were taking >5 medications. 43.6% of patients and 62.2% of caregivers were female. 51.3% of the patients were willing to stop one or more of their regular medicine(s) under the treating physician's advice, but 62% were satisfied with their current medicine(s). 33.4% were reluctant to stop taking medicines for a long time. Conclusions: In our study, more than 50% of people and their caregivers were willing to try medication cessation under their physician's recommendation. There was moderate agreement between patients and their caregivers in the trial of medication cessation. Thus, the results obtained from this study may help towards improving rationalized prescribing practices in the institutional setup.

With the advent of major scientific and technological advancements in obstetrics and gynecology, surrogacy is quickly becoming a viable alternative to enable people of all genders to become parents. However, its path toward reality is still fraught with legal and ethical dilemmas. With the Surrogacy Act of 2021 coming into effect earlier this year, the present article aims to dissect the various legal nuances involved while also considering the societal norms governing the actual scenario at ground zero. Our review discusses the aspects of eligibility criteria, the health implications, the rights of the surrogate mother and the child born, the financial burden, and compensation. We aimed to bring attention to this act and its implications on marginalized segments of society, with an attempt to bring beneficial changes for them. In this review, we provide viable alternatives adopted across the globe to solve the identified issues to make the present act non-discriminatory and more rewarding to all involved beneficiaries.

Background: Diabetic foot infections (DFIs) represent a significant complication of diabetes mellitus, contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. Understanding antibiotic prescribing patterns and microbial susceptibility is crucial for effective management. Objective: This study aimed to assess antibiotic prescribing trends and microbial susceptibility patterns in DFIs in a tertiary care center in Puducherry. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted over two months, involving patients with DFIs attending surgery OPD and admitted inpatient wards. Data on demographics, comorbidities, ulcer characteristics, antibiotic prescriptions, and microbial culture results were collected. Descriptive statistics and appropriate statistical tests were used for analysis. Results: Of 110 patients included, most were males (80, 72.7%) aged 51-60 years (43, 39.1%). Common risk factors included poor glycemic control (85, 77.3%), barefoot walking (29, 26.4%), and a family history of diabetes (46, 41.8%). Gram -negative organisms (78, 70.9%) predominated, with Escherichia coli (17, 15.5%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12, 10.9%), and Staphylococcus aureus (10, 9.1%) being common isolates. Polypharmacy was observed, with (63) 57.3% receiving multiple antibiotics, mainly via the parenteral route (16, 64.5%). Ceftriaxone (31, 28.2%) and cefotaxime (21, 19.1%) were frequently prescribed. Antibiotic resistance varied among isolates. Conclusion: This study underscores the predominance of gram -negative organisms in DFIs and highlights the need for rational antibiotic prescribing. Cephalosporins were commonly used, emphasizing the importance of empirical therapy. Understanding local microbial patterns and susceptibility is crucial for guiding antibiotic selection and optimizing clinical outcomes. In addition, addressing modifiable risk factors is imperative for preventing DFIs and reducing associated complications. This study provides valuable insights for strengthening antimicrobial stewardship programs and improving patient care in diabetic foot management. Furthermore, the present study highlights the importance of essentially deprescribing the prescriptions both from the patient, their primary carer, and the treating physician/surgeon's perspective.

Background: Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia are medical conditions that can cause severe complications, such as maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the incidence and characteristics of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. Methods: From July 2021 to July 2022, the authors conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of a tertiary care hospital in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo). Out of 1236 total deliveries, 40 patients aged 18–35 years with pre-eclampsia and/or eclampsia with complete data in medical records were studied. Results: In the studied group, 3.23% of women (40 cases) experienced pre-eclampsia or eclampsia, with the majority (75%, 30 cases) occurring before childbirth. Among these, 62.5% (25 cases) were first-time mothers. The main complications observed in the mothers included HELLP syndrome and placental abruption, whereas their newborns frequently exhibited delayed in-utero growth. Caesarean delivery was the prevalent birthing method, and the treatments most often used for effective management were magnesium sulfate and nicardipine. Conclusion: The research highlights the common occurrence of eclampsia among patients in the DRC and stresses the critical need for prompt detection of hypertensive complications during pregnancy, aiming to reduce negative health impacts on both mothers and their children.