ABSTRACT
Background: Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorder of skin. Though the exact etio-pathogenesis is not well-understood, several studies hypothesised it as a complex interaction between genetics, immunology, and environment. Hence, we aimed toassess the insulin resistance among psoriasis patients and to correlate the insulin resistance with the disease severity, and inflammation.Methods:A tertiary hospital-based observational study was conducted for a year (2016-2017) at dermatology and endocrinology OPD, IPGMER andSSKM Hospital, Kolkata. The eligible participants were selected after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. After obtaining the written informed consent, basic demographic details were collected and examined for certain physical and biochemical parameters. Data was entered in Microsoft excel and analysed using SPSS software. Appropriate statistical analysis was carried out.Results: A total of 48 cases and 40 controls participated in the study. The median fasting insulin (p<0.001), HOMA-IR (p<0.001), and hs CRP (p=0.047) in cases were significantly higher than controls. There were significant differences of HOMA-IR within three groups of psoriasis. There was a positive correlation and statistically significant between PASI and HOMA-IR (rho=0.469, p value=0.001) and between PASI and fasting insulin (rho-0.528, p value<0.001).Conclusions: Chronic psoriasis patients were more insulin resistant and significantly correlated with the disease severity index.
ABSTRACT
Background: Self-medication includes acquiring medicines without a prescription, resubmitting old prescriptions to purchase medicines, sharing medicines with relatives or members of one's social circle or using leftover medicines stored at home. In developing countries like India, self-medication is a common practice as it provides a low cost alternative for people. Especially, the youth is exposed to media and the increased advertising of pharmaceuticals poses a larger threat to the younger population. Aims & Objective: To determine the prevalence of self-medication among Delhi University students and to identify the sources and reasons for self-medication. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out using a ‘semi structured’ ‘pretested’ questionnaire among 350 students selected randomly from north campus of Delhi University during August and September 2012. Results: The prevalence of self-medication was 85.4% among the study population. Principal morbidities for seeking self-medication were headache (86.2%) and common cold (57.8%). 79.3% of them got the medicine from chemist shop and 16.9% used home available medicines. 56.1% of the study subjects were aware about side effects of drugs they were using. Awareness about schedule H-drugs was also present in 39.5% of the study population. Regarding the major reasons for seeking self-medication, 31.0% did not find it necessary to consult a doctor followed by 25.0% who preferred to wait and watch, 21.3% had lack of time and 10.4% felt doctor’s fee was too high. Conclusion: Prevalence of self-medication was high in the study population despite majority being aware of its harmful effects. There is an urgent need to enforce the law to prevent over the counter drug sale and to educate the youth to ensure safe practices.
ABSTRACT
Background: Hypertension remains silent, being generally asymptomatic during its clinical course. As it is hidden beneath an outwardly asymptomatic appearance, the disease does immense harm to the body in the form of 'Target Organ' damage; hence, the WHO has named it the 'Silent Killer'. In our country, prevalence of hypertension has been estimated to be between 20% to 40% in urban adults which is likely to expand to 200 million by 2025, with equal numbers among men and women. Job related psychosocial stress and sedentary life styles may directly and indirectly contribute to development of hypertension among the IT professionals. Aims & Objective: To find out the association of the risk factors among per chance detected hypertensive of IT professionals of an IT company. Material and Methods: This cross sectional study was undertaken after getting informed verbal consent from 91 professionals of a IT company a predesigned self-employed questionnaire regarding demographic and lifestyle information were taken. Blood pressure was measured by using the standardized sphygmomanometer. All the participants were requested to take rest for ten minutes. Blood pressure was measured in the sitting posture with two separate readings were taken at an interval of minimum five minutes. The average of the two readings was taken and JNC VII classification was followed. Results: Among 91 IT professionals 14 were recorded to be detected per chance hypertensive. Of the known risk factors age (OR= 1.322; p=.001), Basal metabolic index (BMI) (OR=1.589; p=.000), smoking habit (OR=9.931; p= .004) were significantly associated with hypertension. Pack years of smoking and duration of alcohol consumption were also to be significantly associated with hypertension. Conclusion: As among the significant risk factors four are modifiable more emphasis to be given on life-style modification and periodically blood pressure check-up should be initiated to detect hypertension early.