BACKGROUND: Given the high levels of stress in anesthesiologists and also their close working liaison with surgeons, it may be worthwhile to compare the personality profiles of these two groups of professionals. AIM: To compare the personality profiles of surgeons and anesthesiologists, using a well-standardized and validated instrument. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Survey (cross-sectional) on surgeons and anesthesiologists working in several medical institutes in India. MATERIAL & METHODS: The self-report Temperament and Character Inventory, 125-item version (TCI-125) was mailed out to an incidental sample of surgeons and anesthesiologists working in medical institutes in India. Of the 200 questionnaires sent (100 to anesthesiologists and surgeons each), 93 completed responses were returned (46 anesthesiologists, 47 surgeons; return rate 46.5%). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Student's unpaired 't' test; P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean scores of anesthesiologists vis-a-vis surgeons on the various temperament dimensions were Novelty seeking: 8.6 vs. 9.2; Harm avoidance: 7.3 vs. 8.1; Reward dependence: 8.1 vs. 8.0; and Persistence: 3.0 vs. 3.1, respectively. Similar scores for the character dimensions were Self-directedness: 16.9 vs. 15.9; Cooperativeness: 17.5 vs. 16.5; and Self-transcendence: 7.0 vs. 6.7, respectively. There was no significant difference between the surgeons and anesthesiologists on any of the temperament and character variables of personality chosen for the study. CONCLUSION: Personality measures did not differ significantly between surgeons and anesthesiologists in this preliminary investigation. If replicated on a larger and more representative sample, the findings have clinical relevance to improve the working relationship between these two groups of closely working professionals.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis have been referred to Division of Human Genetics for counselling. Qualitative dermatoglyphics comprising of finger print pattern, interdigital pattern, hypothenar pattern and palmar crease were studied on 26 female and 11 male rheumatoid arthritis patients. Comparison between patient male and control male; and patient female and control female has been done. 'Chi' square test was performed. In male patients, with hands together, arches were increased, loops/ whorls were decreased. Partial Simian crease was significantly increased. In the right hand, patterns were increased in the 3rd interdigital area. On the other hand, in female patients there was a significant increase in whorls and decrease in loops on the first finger on both the hands, increase in arches on the 3rd finger; both arches and whorls on the 4th finger of left hand. Present study has emphasized that dermatoglyphics could be applied as a diagnostic tool to patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the major determinant of preoperative morbidity and mortality for patients requiring major vascular surgery. The management of CAD in these patients is controversial. AIMS: The incidence and severity of CAD in diabetic and non-diabetic patients with Leriche syndrome was explored. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: 107 patients with Leriche syndrome were selected as major vascular occlusion and grouped according to their diabetic Status. Sex, age, dyslipidemia, obesity, hypertension, clinic cardiac status, coronary angiographic lesions and coronary revascularisation procedures were noted. MATERIAL & METHODS: Patients' demographics, intra-operative and per-operative data were recorded and compared. In every patient with Leriche syndrome scheduled for elective vascular reconstruction coronary angiography was performed. Lesions were evaluated for the percentages of stenosis. Preliminary coronary bypass or percutaneous coronary intervention was recommended for those found to have advanced or severe CAD. Results of revascularisation procedures were compared. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Chi-square or Fisher exact chi-square test is used for conditional variables. Independent samples was analysed by using t-test. Kruskal-Wallis variance test was used if the variances are not homogeneous according to the Levene test. RESULTS: No difference was found in both groups except family history and obesity. Coronary angiographic investigation indicates that 59% of DIAB group and 38% of NONDIAB group patients have advanced or severe CAD which has a high probability for myocardial revascularization. Overall revascularisation rate is 37.8% in DIAB group and 45.7% in NONDIAB group (p=0,641). Preoperative mortality was found 2.7% in diabetics and 4.2% in non-diabetics (p=0.342). CONCLUSIONS: Leriche syndrome with diabetes mellitus is more likely to have advanced coronary disease than those without diabetes mellitus. Coronary angiography and subsequent revascularisation should be performed only in those patients who require major vascular surgery.

Nosocomial infection represents an important public health problem in developing countries as in developed ones. Economic concerns have taken on increasing importance in infection control since the mid 1970s in the USA, however there are few papers on the economics of NI in other countries. Studies on the costs of NI have used different methods, definitions and degrees of stringency when calculating indirect costs and there is therefore still uncertainty over their true economic impact on the community and on the workplace economy. Drug and especially antibiotic acquisition in addition to increased length of stay are the widely and well described parameters. Extra cost of NI include; bed, intensive care unit stay, hematological, biochemical, microbiological and radiological tests, antibiotics, other drugs, extra surgical procedures and working hours. In addition to high morbidity and mortality one of the well described parameters is the extra length of stay in the hospital. High mortality rates and economic expense which NI represents emphasizes the justification for measures of control of this entity. To estimate better the current personnel and financial resources necessary to support infection control activities and to prevent NI, it is imperative that those conducting studies of hospital epidemiology and healthcare outcomes research determine these current costs.