Vitamin D status among Kashmiri tribal population: A cross-sectional community-based study

Background & objectives: Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is prevalent across all age groups in general population of India but studies among tribal populations are scanty. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of VDD in the indigenous tribal population of the Kashmir valley and examine associated risk factors. Methods: In this cross-sectional investigation, a total of 1732 apparently healthy tribal participants (n=786 males and n=946 females) were sampled from five districts of Kashmir valley by using probability proportional to size method. Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were classified as per the Endocrine Society (ES) recommendations: deficiency (<20 ng/ml), insufficiency (20-30 ng/ml) and sufficiency (>30 ng/ml). The serum 25(OH)D levels were assessed in relation to various demographic characteristics such as age, sex, education, smoking, sun exposure, body mass index and physical activity. Results: The mean age of the male participants was 43.79±18.47 yr with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 20.50±7.53 kg/m2, while the mean age of female participants was 35.47±14.92 yr with mean BMI of 22.24±4.73 kg/m2. As per the ES guidelines 1143 of 1732 (66%) subjects had VDD, 254 (14.71%) had insufficient and 334 (19.3%) had sufficient serum 25(OH)D levels. VDD was equally prevalent in male and female participants. Serum 25(OH)D levels correlated positively with serum calcium, phosphorous and negatively with serum alkaline phosphatase. Gender, sun exposure, altitude, physical activity and BMI did not seem to contribute significantly to VDD risk. Interpretation & conclusions: VD deficiency is highly prevalent among Kashmiri tribals, although the magnitude seems to be lower as compared to the general population. These preliminary data are likely to pave way for further studies analyzing the impact of vitamin D supplementation with analysis of functional outcomes

Association between T2DM and the lowering of testosterone levels among Kashmiri males

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study is to study association between testosterone and diabetes in Kashmiri males. Subjects and methods: A total of 300 males with Type 2 diabetes visited an outpatient and inpatient clinic at Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital, Srinagar, J&K India. The blood sugar and HbA1c, which are the markers of diabetes, and sérum testosterone levels were measured. The blood samples from both the cases and controls were collected. Results: Out of 300 subjects, 42% had a testosterone deficiency. A relationship between type 2 diabetic males and healthy males was observed, and testosterone levels were determined to be significantly lower among diabetic males (p < 0.001) when compared to healthy males. Then, we compared diabetic markers among testosterone deficient and normal testosterone level groups; the mean fasting plasma glucose (p = 0.0019) and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c; p = 0.0449) levels were significantly higher in the testosterone deficient group than in the control group. To elucidate the relationship between the serum total testosterone level and fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c values, Pearson's correlation test was performed. Fasting plasma glucose levels (r = −0.252, p = 0.001) and HbA1c values (r = −0.697, p = 0.001) showed a significant negative correlation with serum testosterone levels among diabetic males. Conclusions: This study shows that diabetes causes low testosterone levels among males, and lower testosterone levels can act as a marker for diabetes. Thus, with timely intervention, mortality and co-morbidity associated with diabetes can be prevented.

Correlation of Vertical Dimension of Occlusion with Various Facial Dimensions in Male Kashmiri Populationan Anthropometric Research

The study was conducted in male Kashmiri population to correlate VDO with various facial measurements, since there is no absolute method to determine the VDO for all individuals. The facial landmarks can reliably be used to determine occlusal vertical dimension in edentulous patiens since they are accessible and relatively unchanged throughout the life. Objectives of the study: To correlate various facial measurements with vertical dimension of occlusion in male Kashmiri population.Methods:A total number of 200 dentate male kashmiri subjects in the age group of 20-50 years were selected for this study. The vertical dimension of occlusion was measured between subnasion to menton.DigitalVerniercaliper was used for measuring different facial parameters that were selected for this study. The results were tabulated by employing Student’s independent t-test. Graphically the data was presented by bar diagrams. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: The results of this study revealed that parameter superior surface of right ear to inferior surface of right ear, center of pupil of right eye to center of pupil of left eye and distance from the outer canthus of the right eye to right ear show no significant difference with VDO in male gender and hence can be correlated positively with VDO in males.

​Clinico-demographic Profile and Treatment Patterns of Ovarian Cancer in Kashmir

Introduction: Ovarian cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer deaths world wide and also the commonest causeof death among all gynecological cancers.Aims and Objectives: To study the clinico demographic profile and treatment patterns of Ovarian Ca in our population.Material and Methods: We conducted an analytical, non-randomized, cross-sectional study on the Clinico-Demographic profileof 731` patients with Ovarian Carcinoma who reported to our OPD between 2008 to 2015.Results: The mean age of patients was 45±1. 49 years. Most common age group of our patients at presentation was 46-60 years.Majority of patients 70% in our study were from rural area. The major clinical presentation of ovarian in our study was pelvic pain(36%) followed by abdominal distention (34%) and ascites (22%). Most common type of ovarian cancer was of surface epithelialtype (94%) followed by sex cord stromal tumor (3%) and germ cell tumour (1. 6%). Most of the cases 61% in the present studyhad presentation at advanced stages (stage III & IV) while as only 39% cases had presented at early stages (stage I & II).Majority of the patients having ovarian tumors underwent surgical staging with surgery in 88% cases. Chemotherapy was themost common adjuvant therapy in 38% patients who had malignant ovarian pathology and had advanced stage of diseases.while as 7 patients (1%) received radiotherapy for brain and bone mets.Conclusion: Majority of patients were from rural background with pelvic pain as most common presenting symptom Most ofour cases presented in late stages of disease. Greater awareness among our community is needed to reduce the morbidityand mortality associated with Ovarian Ca

Sexual dimorphism using mandibular canine in establishing sex identity among Kashmiri population – A clinical study

Gender determination in forensic investigation is of immense medico legal importance especially in mass disaster. Teeth are excellent tools for identification as they are resistant to physical and chemical agents. The aim of the present study was to investigate gender dimorphism by measuring the linear dimensions of mandibular canine width and inter canine width among Kashmiri population. The study consists of 125 subjects selected from outpatient clinic of oral medicine and radiology, 64 were males and 61 were females. The age groups selected were in range from 18-24 years. There was statistically significant difference in canine width on right and left sides and inter canine distance between males and females (p value less than 0.05). These parameters can be helpful in determining the gender of the unknown deceased person in forensic investigations among Kashmiri population

Sonographic measurement of renal size in normal North Indian children.

Objective: To determine the renal size in normal North Indian children by renal sonography. Design: Hospital based (outpatient based) cross sectional observational study. Material and methods: Total 1198 normal children aged 1 month to 12 years were included in the study. Sonographic assessment of renal size (length, width and thickness) was performed using Philips, multi frequency (3.5, 5 and 7.5 Mhz) linear and convex probes in B-mode. The mean renal dimensions and volume were calculated for each age group with ± 2SD. The renal length and calculated renal volume were correlated with somatic parameters like age, weight, height, and body surface area (BSA). Linear Regression equations were derived for each variable. Results: A strong correlation was seen between renal size and renal volume with various somatic parameters (age, weight, height, BSA), (coefficient of correlation = 0.9). Conclusion: This study provides values of renal size (mean± 2SD) in normal North Indian children and its correlation with age, weight,height, and BSA. Renal size can be easily calculated by derived linear regression equation.

Quality of life: gender differences in aged Kashmiri migrants in Jammu, India

Background: There is continuous change in the demographic structure with aged people growing rapidly in proportion to the younger ones. Understanding quality of life of aged is important. The Kashmir region in northern state of India has witnessed a lot of disturbance, leading forced migration. The young adults who had experienced a great stress while fleeing from their homeland are now mostly falling within the aged category of the population. Their in-depth assessment of quality of life is necessary as this group of aged people has already borne great trauma and are still not properly settled. The findings from the current study may be utilized for developing tailored interventions for the aged migrant people. Aim: This research is an attempt to study gender differences in quality of life among aged Kashmiri migrants residing in Jammu. Methods: Using the simple random sampling data was collected from 280 aged Kashmiri migrants residing in Jammu since 1990. The mean age for the entire sample was 68.49 years. WHOQOL-BREF was used to assess quality of life. Data were collected individually with the help of research assistants proficient in speaking Kashmiri. Results: Results of t test show there are differences in physical health, psychological health, and social relationships of male and female aged Kashmiri migrants. The male aged Kashmiri migrants were better on these domains of quality of life. There was no difference between the two on environmental health. Conclusion: The study revealed that the aged Kashmiri Migrant women need more attention so that their quality of life is enhanced. Key message: Lower quality of life among female aged migrants draws our attention to develop certain interventions to enhance their quality of life

A cross-sectional study to determine sex-wise prevalence of obesity in adults of Kashmiri population.

Background: Aim of current study was to determine the prevalence of obesity in both sexes in persons aged 18-45 years. Methods: Multistage and multiphasic sampling technique was utilized in this study to screen the obese subjects of both males and females based on WHO classification of obesity according to BMI of 18-45 years of age. Each household was visited and only the subjects having age of 18-45 years were included in this study and this comprised of 5107 subjects, then identified obese cases with the help of height and weight techniques. Only those people who had simple obesity were included in the study. People having secondary obesity, drug induced obesity and pregnant ladies were excluded from this study. The data was collected and analysed using statistical software and chi square and proportional statistical test were applied. Results: Out of 5107 screened population, 2652 were males and 2455 were females and the prevalence of male obesity in study population is 6.41% and that of females is 7.74%. Conclusion: The sex has a significant impact on obesity. We reported in our study a prevalence of obesity is more in females as compared to males. A lack of physical activity as well as low frequency of employment makes females more susceptible to obesity.

Normative spirometric values in adult kashmiri population.

Background. Normative values of pulmonary functions of healthy population are affected by different geographic, ethnic, climatic and demographic factors. Objective. Present study was designed to derive normative spirometric values, prediction equations for future reference in adult Kashmiri population. Methods. Pulmonary function testing was carried out on 3080 normal healthy non-smoking individuals (1974 males; age 18-65 years) of Kashmir valley. Multiple regression analysis was used to develop prediction equations for use in this population. Results. Forced vital capacity (FVC, L/s) (4.3±0.8 versus 3.0±0.5; p<0.05), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1, L/s) (3.9±0.7 versus 2.6±0.5; p<0.05) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR, L/s) (7.9±1.8 versus 5.3±1.2; p<0.05) were significantly higher in males in comparison with females. All the other parameters except FEV1/PEFR ratio were significantly higher among males (p<0.05). Irrespective of gender, all the parameters declined with increasing age. Females had higher FEV1/PEFR ratio (p<0.05) in age group of 15-30 years. Overall the inter-group difference across the districts studied was not significant. Spirometric parameters manifested an overall negative correlation with increasing body mass index (BMI), although FVC and FEV1 in males with low BMI were high (p<0.05). Conclusion. These prediction equations can be utilised as reference values for future use in adult Kashmiri population.