ABSTRACT
Background: Acne is one of the most commonly prevalent skin conditions. It commonly affects the adolescents and young adult age groups. The lesions start as microcomedones and progress to nodular or inflammatory acne with post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Although acne is not life threatening it has multiple impacts in the affected individual’s quality of life and psychological morale. Hence this study was undertaken to analyze the clinical profile of patients having acne vulgaris to facilitate better management. Materials and methods: A cross sectional observational study was conducted among patients attending the dermatological outpatient department in a tertiary care hospital. A pre-tested semistructured questionnaire was administered to the individuals after obtaining informed written consent. Data on demographical variables, menstrual history and clinical features of acne were collected and presented. Results: A major proportion of the population was comprised of adolescents and young adults similar to previous studies. Around 13% of them had a positive family history of acne. Associated factors such as menstrual flare, increased consumption of dairy products and high glycemic index foods were also present. Almost 88% of the participants had mild acne. Half of them had post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Conclusions: Most patients of acne vulgaris are either adolescents or young adults. This group is more prone to endocrine co-morbidities such as polycystic ovarian syndrome and impairment in quality of life. Hence considering the above factors, early diagnosis and management of acne vulgaris B.M. Monisha, G. Kannan, Muthusamy. A cross sectional study to assess clinical profile of acne vulgaris presenting to a tertiary care teaching hospital. IAIM, 2018; 5(5): 111-116. Page 112 is essential. This is expected to yield better results in the long term in improving the quality of life in the affected persons
ABSTRACT
Objective To determine the incidence and types of nail changes in various papulosquamous disorders
Methods We undertook a descriptive study of 50 patients at department of Skin and STD, VMKVMCH, Salem. Nail biopsy of all patients was taken and histopathological analysis was done
Results Of a total of 50 patients, the most common nail change was pitting seen in 60% of psoriasis patients followed by onycholysis in 58% and subungual hyperkeratosis which was 46%
Conclusion Nail pitting was the prominent indicator of psoriasis in papulosquamous disorders
ABSTRACT
Physical activity of moderate intensity for 30 minutes a day, on most days substantially reduces the risk of many chronic diseases. To assess the effect of regular physical activity on blood pressure and blood sugar levels in a rural Indian community. This community-based study was carried out in Periakattupalayam and Rangareddipalayam in south India, with 485 subjects, aged 20 to 49 years. The study was done in five phases: Awareness campaign, baseline assessment of participants, intervention phase [10 weeks], interim, and final assessment. Physical activity of moderate intensity [brisk walking for 30 minutes on four days / week] was promoted by forming 30 small walking groups, in a home-based setting, with professional supervision. Village leaders and Self-Help Group members were the resource people for the promotion of physical activity. Analysis was done by using paired 't' test; the 'Intention-to-Treat' approach was utilized for the interpretation of the findings of the study. Of the 485 subjects, 265 [54.6%] complied with walking on more than four days / week, while 156 [32.2%] walked on one to four days / week, and 64 [13.2%] dropped out during the intervention period. This study has shown that a 10-week intervention to promote physical activity was effective in significantly decreasing the population's BP by 1.56 / 0.74 mm Hg, fasting blood sugar levels by 2.82 mg%, body weight by 0.17 kg, and BMI by 0.06 kg / m[2]. This study has proved the functional feasibility of enabling people to undertake physical activity in a rural Indian community, and the effectiveness of using physical activity, to significantly reduce the population's mean BP and blood sugar levels