Background: Depression is associated not only with emotional and behavioural symptoms but also with persistent negative patterns of thinking. Negative views of the self, the surrounding world and the future, together with dysfunctional attitudes and negative automatic thoughts, are central concepts in cognitive models of depression. However, the extent to which these cognitive patterns distinguish depressed individuals from non-depressed individuals remains clinically relevant, particularly for early identification and psychological intervention. Aim: To assess and compare negative cognitive patterns among depressed and non-depressed adults. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was designed involving 120 adults, comprising 60 clinically depressed participants and 60 non-depressed controls. Depression severity was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Negative cognitive patterns were assessed using measures of negative automatic thoughts and dysfunctional attitudes. Sociodemographic and clinical information was also recorded. Group differences were evaluated using independent-samples t-tests and effect sizes. Results: In the illustrative dataset, depressed participants demonstrated substantially higher negative cognitive scores than non-depressed participants. Mean negative automatic thought scores were 92.4 ± 14.8 in the depressed group compared with 55.7 ± 12.6 in controls. Dysfunctional attitude scores were also higher among depressed participants (83.1 ± 12.7 versus 49.6 ± 10.9). Depression severity showed a marked difference between groups. All principal comparisons were statistically significant, with large effect sizes. Conclusion: Depressed adults showed considerably greater negative cognitive patterns than non-depressed adults. The findings support the clinical importance of assessing maladaptive thinking during evaluation of depression. Identification and modification of negative automatic thoughts, dysfunctional attitudes and related cognitive distortions may provide useful targets for psychological management.

Background: Dengue is an important mosquito-borne viral infection with a spectrum ranging from uncomplicated dengue fever to dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Clinical and hematological abnormalities are useful for assessment of disease severity and prognosis. Objectives: To study the clinical and hematological profile of dengue fever and to correlate disease severity with clinical findings, hematological abnormalities, treatment and outcome. Methods: This prospective observational study included 100 serologically proven dengue patients aged more than 18 years admitted to the Department of General Medicine, BRIMS Bidar, between August 2023 and September 2024. Patients were evaluated clinically and with serial hematological investigations. Dengue cases were classified as dengue fever, DHF or DSS according to the study criteria/WHO criteria. Platelet count, hematocrit, leukocyte count, coagulation profile, serology, ultrasonography and treatment were documented. Results: Of 100 patients, 68% had dengue fever, 22% DHF and 10% DSS. Forty-five percent were aged 26–50 years and 60% were male. Fever (98%), myalgia (88%), headache (52%), arthralgia (40%) and rash (34%) were common presentations. Thrombocytopenia occurred in 78% of patients, leukopenia in 26%, and hemoconcentration in 26%. Coagulation abnormalities were identified in 12 of 32 patients in whom coagulation testing was performed, with abnormalities more frequent and severe in DSS. Blood components were transfused in 22% of patients. Overall, 94% improved and were discharged, 2% left against medical advice, and 4% died; all deaths occurred in patients with DSS. Conclusion: Thrombocytopenia, hemoconcentration, leukocyte abnormalities, bleeding manifestations and coagulation derangement are important laboratory and clinical findings in dengue. Disease severity, particularly DSS, was strongly associated with poor outcome. Early recognition and appropriate supportive management may reduce morbidity and mortality.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is associated with disturbances of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Alterations in lipoprotein fractions may accompany poor glycemic control and may contribute to cardiovascular risk. This study evaluated lipid and related biochemical parameters in patients with diabetes mellitus compared with age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Materials and Methods: This comparative study included 40 participants: 20 clinically diagnosed patients with diabetes mellitus and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls at BRIMS Bidar from March 2023 to feb 2024. Fasting blood glucose (FBS), postprandial blood glucose (PPBS), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triglycerides (TAG), total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C, lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and selected ratios were assessed. Descriptive statistics were expressed as mean ± SD, and an independent two-tailed Student t-test was used for intergroup comparisons; statistical significance was set at 5%. Results: Compared with controls, diabetic patients had significantly higher FBS (167.70±59.80 vs 86.20±8.28 mg/dL), PPBS (238.30±81.31 vs 107.20±19.11 mg/dL), HbA1c (9.44±2.31% vs 5.41±0.30%), TAG (195.25±102.65 vs 128.60±28.25 mg/dL), VLDL-C (36.60±18.59 vs 24.95±5.98 mg/dL), and Lp(a) (46.20±22.92 vs 20.16±6.26 mg/dL). HDL-C was lower in patients (37.25±8.03 vs 45.05±6.64 mg/dL). Total cholesterol and LDL-C did not differ significantly. The cholesterol/HDL-C, HbA1c/HDL-C and HbA1c/LDL-C ratios were significantly higher in diabetic patients, whereas HbA1c/Lp(a) was not significantly different. Conclusion: The study demonstrates a pattern of diabetic dyslipidemia characterized mainly by increased triglycerides and VLDL-C, reduced HDL-C, and increased Lp(a), with significant changes in selected lipid-to-HbA1c ratios. These findings support assessment of the broader lipid profile alongside glycemic indices in diabetes mellitus.

Background: Snakebite envenoming remains an important emergency in tropical regions. Timely administration of antivenom and supportive care may reduce complications. This study assessed the clinical profile of snakebite patients and compared prognostic factors and outcomes between patients receiving early and delayed antivenom treatment. Methods: A hospital-based case series was conducted over 18 months, from March 2023 to September 2024, among 45 patients admitted with an alleged history of snakebite and fang marks at the inpatient wards of the Department of General Medicine at BRIMS Bidar, Karnataka. Patients with pre-existing renal abnormalities, other neurological abnormalities, or bleeding diathesis were excluded. Clinical findings and laboratory parameters including complete blood count, urine examination, urea, and creatinine, electrolytes, bleeding time, clotting time, prothrombin time and ECG were assessed. Early treatment was defined as administration of antivenom within 6 hours of the bite; delayed treatment was administration at or after 6 hours. Categorical variables were compared using chi-square/Fisher’s exact test and continuous variables using the independent t-test; P<0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age was 33.09±12.84 years and 57.8% were male. Viper bites accounted for 60.7% of identified bites, and 57.8% of bites occurred at night. Lower-limb bites were most frequent (73.4%). Pain (95.6%), local edema (68.9%) and cellulitis (57.8%) were common local manifestations. Drowsiness and vomiting occurred in 71.1% each, while haematuria occurred in 37.8%. Thirty-two patients (71.1%) received early antivenom and 13 (28.9%) received delayed treatment. Delayed treatment was associated with hypotension, increased bleeding time, acute renal failure, respiratory distress, dialysis, ventilator support and death (P<0.05). Mean blood urea, serum creatinine, serum potassium, number of antivenom vials and hospital stay were significantly higher in the delayed-treatment group. Conclusion: Delayed antivenom treatment was associated with greater haemostatic and renal abnormalities, more severe complications, increased treatment requirements and longer hospitalization. Early hospital presentation and timely antivenom treatment may reduce morbidity and mortality associated with snake envenoming.