A Study on the Spectrum of Fungal Pathogens Isolated in ICU patient: A Study from Tertiary Care Centre

Introduction: Substance use during adolescence and young adulthood is a major public health concern, particularly for alcohol and opioids. Neurocognitive impairments related to substance use can adversely affect executive functioning and decision-making. This study compared cognitive functioning and demographic profiles of adolescents and young adults using alcohol or opioids with healthy controls.Method: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted with alcohol users (n = 36) and opioid users (n = 36), each matched with 36 healthy controls. Sociodemographic data including age, gender, education, socioeconomic status, marital status, and parental education were recorded. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Trail Making Test (Parts A and B) and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). Independent t-tests and chi-square tests were applied for analysis.Results: Cases and controls did not differ significantly in age, gender, marital status, residency, or socioeconomic status. Substance users showed marked cognitive deficits compared to controls. Both alcohol and opioid users had significantly longer completion times on Trail Making Tests A and B (p < 0.0001). On WCST, cases completed fewer categories and demonstrated more total errors, perseverative errors, and perseverative responses (all p < 0.0001). Alcohol users additionally had significantly higher failures to maintain set, unlike opioid users.Conclusion: Adolescents and young adults with alcohol and opioid use exhibited significant impairments in executive function, attention, and cognitive flexibility. Early detection and cognitive rehabilitation are essential to limit long-term neurocognitive consequences. How to cite this article:Shankar V, Roopalatha M. A Study on the Spectrum of Fungal Pathogens Isolated in ICU patient: A Study from Tertiary Care Centre. J Commun Dis. 2025;57(3):1-5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202561