ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives: Serotonin transporter polymorphisms, 5-HTTVNTR and 5-HTTLPR, have been found to be associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and particularly with neurotic characteristics. In the present study we looked for an association between OCD and these polymorphisms in OCD patients and controls of south Indian origin. Methods: 5-HTTVNTR and 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 were genotyped in 93 OCD patients and 92 healthy controls. The allelic distribution and genotype frequency in cases and controls were compared using chi square test. In order to test for the effects of genotype on heterogeneity of the illness, linear regression analysis was undertaken for co-morbid depression status and YBOCS score (severity index). Results: There was no significant association with the 5-HTTVNTR or the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism. No significant association of OCD with the 5-HTTLPR genotype was found even on inclusion of the rs25531 locus, which is part of the transcription factor binding site as reported in earlier studies. However, severity of the illness showed a modest association with the dominant model. Interpretation & conclusions: Our data show that genetic variation in the SLC6A4 gene regulatory region may not have a significant effect on OCD in the present population. Further replication in a large and independent cohort with an equal number of female subjects would help to ascertain if the absence of association in this cohort is due to the nullifying effect of the larger proportion of male subjects in our sample population. The marginal effect of the 5-HTTLPR (A/G) genotype obtained on linear regression with disease severity is suggestive of a potential role for this locus in the disease process.
Subject(s)
Adult , Cohort Studies , Female , Gene Frequency , Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics , Genotype , Humans , India , Linear Models , Male , Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder/genetics , Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder/physiopathology , Polymorphism, Genetic/genetics , Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins/genetics , Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins/metabolism , Sex RatioABSTRACT
This study compares the blood pressure (BP) in young population of North India and South India. Age, height and sex specific BP was estimated for 6320 North Indian subjects aged 7-18 years and compared with BP values of South Indian subjects. North Indian boys and girls had lower diastolic BP (DBP) with no difference in systolic BP (SBP) than South Indian boys and girls between 7-12 years. Between 13-18 years North Indian boys and girls had significantly higher SBP with no difference in DBP. The significant regional differences in BP distribution among young Indians suggest considering geographic location of the population in evaluating blood pressure.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Age Factors , Blood Pressure/physiology , Child , Diastole , Female , Geography , Humans , Hypertension/epidemiology , India/epidemiology , Male , Reference Values , Risk Factors , Socioeconomic Factors , SystoleABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The blood pressure levels may vary in population because of genetic, ethnic and socio economic factors. Local reference values have to be established to understand the blood pressure variable. METHODS: Blood pressure data of 2278 boys and 2930 girls in the age group of 3-18 years were analysed to study the distribution pattern of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure and to develop reference values to define hypertension. Blood pressure was measured using standardised techniques in all. The first and fifth phases of Korotkoff sounds were taken as indicative of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure respectively. Height percentiles were computed for each one year age group. According to percentiles of height 50th, 90th, 95th and 99th percentiles of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were estimated for every one year age. RESULTS: The blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic) tends to increase with age. The stepwise regression analysis revealed that the age and height but not gender, are important determinants of blood pressure. Age and height specific, 50th, 90th and 95th and 99th percentiles of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were derived and are presented in tabular form. CONCLUSION: The blood pressure of children and adolescents can be evaluated using the reference table according to body size. The table provided helps to classify blood pressure as normal or pre hypertension and to define different stages of hypertension.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Age Factors , Blood Pressure/physiology , Blood Pressure Determination/statistics & numerical data , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Health Surveys , Humans , India , Male , Reference ValuesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common disabling and progressive neuro-degenerative disorder. Morbidity and mortality are frequently associated with pulmonary dysfunction in patients with PD. AIM: To investigate characteristics of pulmonary function test (PFT) abnormalities in patients with PD and to study the effect of levodopa on the PFT findings. METHODS: Pulmonary function testing was performed in 35 patients with PD during 'off' and 'on' state while on levodopa; and 35 matched healthy controls. RESULTS: The forced vital capacity (FVC) (P < 0.001), maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) (p < 0.001), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) (p < 0.001), and maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) (p < 0.001) were significantly reduced in patients with PD compared to controls. There was significant improvement in the PFT values in 'on' state compared to 'off' state. CONCLUSIONS: A restrictive pattern of pulmonary dysfunction is present in patients with PD, which improves significantly with levodopa. The evaluation and rehabilitation of respiratory disturbances should be routinely included in the management of patients with Parkinson's disease.