Purpose: Disease pandemics are known to cause psychological distress. The ensuing mental health issues are not only restricted to the patients and their relatives/friends but affect the healthcare workers (HCWs) as well. Our study aims to assess these psychological trends during the COVID-19 pandemic between the two most affected population groups, that is, patients and frontline healthcare workers. Patients and Methods: A survey questionnaire, including scales to assess fear, anxiety, stress, depression – PSS 10, and DASS 21, was distributed and sent to all COVID-19 suspected/confirmed individuals and healthcare workers at a tertiary care center along with a second visit after 14 days of answering the first questionnaire and this continued as follow-up. Data were analyzed with the SPSS version 23 using various tests of significance. Results: In the community, COVID-19 patients in the age group 41– 50 with respiratory tract symptoms and those who were home isolated/quarantined experienced a greater tendency of mental health problems. Healthcare workers posted in COVID-19 designated areas of the hospital displayed higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Conclusion: The high degree of uncertainty associated with novel pathogens has a profound effect on the psychological state of suspected/confirmed cases as well as healthcare workers. Within the community, individuals suspected of having COVID-19 display a significant mental health burden, while HCWs also experience an unprecedented amount of stress, anxiety, depression and fear during such enduring situations.

Hypertension is a prevalent chronic condition that affects a substantial proportion of the world's population. Medications are commonly prescribed for hypertension management, but non-pharmacological interventions like yoga are gaining popularity. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the efficacy of Yoga Nidra (YN) for the management of hypertension. A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials, i.e., non-randomized and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to investigate the effects of YN on hypertension. PubMed, the Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, and EBSCO were searched for relevant studies published up to September 2022. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The primary outcome measure was the change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) after YN intervention, analyzed as weighted mean difference (WMD), in comparison to control groups. The random-effects model was used for the meta-analysis. Risk of bias was assessed for RCTs and non-RCTs using Cochrane's RoB-2 and ROBINS-I tools, respectively. Five RCTs and three Non-RCTs involving a total of 482 participants (239 for YN vs 243 for controls) were included in this review. The meta-analysis indicated that YN significantly reduced SBP (WMD = 12.03 mm Hg, 95% CI [7.12, 16.93], Z = 4.80, p < 0.00001) and DBP (WMD = 6.32 mm Hg, 95% CI [3.53, 9.12], Z = 4.43, p < 0.00001) compared to control groups. The overall risk of bias for the three RCTs was high, whereas for the five non-RCTs, one had an overall moderate risk while the other four had an overall serious risk of bias. This systematic review and meta-analysis provides evidence supporting the efficacy of YN as a complementary therapy for hypertension management. YN is a safe, cost-effective, and easily accessible intervention that primarily relies on interoception and induces a deep relaxation response in practitioners, aiding them in coping with various components of high blood pressure, such as stress, vascular inflammation, peripheral vascular resistance, etc. Our understanding of the mechanisms of YN is constantly evolving, and there is a need for further research to fully explore and appreciate the significance of this ancient science and its potential efficacy on BP. Considering the results and the multifactorial role of YN, it can act as a safe and reliable adjuvant therapy to complement the pharmacological treatment of hypertension. However, further studies with larger sample sizes, longer follow-up periods, and homogenous populations are warranted. This meta-analysis suggests that YN is effective in reducing SBP and DBP, particularly in individuals with hypertension. The results highlight the potential of YN as a complementary therapy for hypertension management. Healthcare providers may consider recommending YN to patients with hypertension as an adjuvant therapy to medication. Further studies are required to identify standardized optimal forms and durations of YN best suited for hypertension management.

Dengue fever is a prevalent viral disease that primarily affects tropical nations. Although most symptomatic infections have a relatively benign course, a small percentage of patients experience severe clinical symptoms, such as bleeding and endothelial dysfunction, which can lead to hypovolemic shock and cardiovascular collapse. Dengue fever is now known to involve the heart by inducing myocardial inflammation, arrhythmias, and, in rare cases, fulminant myocarditis, up to 13% in severe dengue. Conduction abnormalities can range from benign sinus bradycardia to fulminant tachyarrhythmias and atrioventricular blocks. Although most conduction disturbances are benign and transient, they can occasionally aggravate pre-existing conditions and even be fatal. Unlike other viral myocarditis like hepatitis C induced myocarditis, dengue causes mainly transient changes, and long-term complications like dilated cardiomyopathy are not noted. There is indeed a paucity of data on how to assess and treat individuals with conduction abnormalities. In this review, the authors have discussed the wide variety of conduction abnormalities seen in dengue, their pathophysiology, clinical consequences, and a method for evaluating and managing these individuals.

Falciparum malaria is one of the most common causes of acute febrile illness in India and frequently presents as severe malaria also known as complicated malaria or cerebral malaria with associated multiple organ failure. Acute pancreatitis secondary to malaria is very rare complication. Here we are presenting a case of severe falciparum malaria with acute pancreatitis.

Enteric fever is a commonly diagnosed entity in developing nations. Mostly uneventful, it can sometimes manifest with a plethora of complications, including gastrointestinal hemorrhage, intestinal perforation, peritonitis, encephalopathy, and pancreatitis. We are discussing a case of enteric fever with the presentation in the form of bleeding per rectum. The patient’s raised amylase and lipase levels confused the scenario as it could not be decided whether this rise was due to enteric fever or its possible but rare complication, pancreatitis. There was no radiological or clinical evidence of pancreatitis; hence the rise in the amylase and lipase levels was due to enteric fever only and not pancreatitis. Serial titers showed declining enzyme values with the improvement of patient condition. A correlation of amylase and lipase levels with enteric fever and the use of serial amylase and lipase levels as a prognostic marker for enteric fever are proposed hereby, hence, proposed.