ABSTRACT
Background: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a massive threat to public health worldwide. Siddha system of medicine is one of the traditional medicines of South India. The recommended formulations in Siddha Sasthric Medicines- Fixed Regimen (SSM-FiRe) are Amukkura tablets, Kaba Sura Kudineer (KSK) for asymptomatic COVID-19 positive (RT-PCR) patients, and Athimathuram tablets, Adathodai Manappagu syrup, Thippili Rasayanam, Brahmananda Bairavam tablet, and Notchi Kudineer for mild symptomatic patients. The core objective of the trial was to document the efficacy of SSM-FiRe in the prevention of asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 disease progression to the next level of severity, reduce the severity of symptoms and revert to RT-PCR Negative. Methods: An exploratory, prospective, open-labeled, single-arm, non-randomized trial was designed as per GCP guidelines to assess the efficacy of SSM-FiRe. Sixty RT-PCR positive participants who were asymptomatic or with mild COVID-19 symptoms were recruited for the study at the Siddha COVID Care Centre, Vyasarpadi, Chennai from June to August 2020. Nasal and oropharyngeal swab tests were performed on the 0, 7th, and 14th days. All participants were treated with SSM - FiRe regimen. All the participants were also assessed based on Siddha Yakkkaiyin Ilakkanam, which included Clinical symptoms and vitals. Laboratory investigations such as Haemogram, Liver Function Test, Renal Function Test, HbA1C, Electrolytes, Inflammatory markers, Cardiac profile, Immunoglobulins, and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests were performed. Results: 83% of COVID-19 patients turned RT-PCR negative on the 7th day and in most of the cases, symptoms were reduced within the first 5 days of admission. The RT-PCR cycle threshold (ct) value increased significantly (<0.001) after treatment and all the participants were RT-PCR negative, except one, who was positive even after 14 days. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies developed significantly (p-value - 0.006). LFT, RFT, CBC, Total proteins, and electrolytes continued to be in the normal range after treatment, indicating the safety of the intervention. Conclusion: Asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 disease can be well managed by SSM - FiRe treatment, Further studies could be taken up to strengthen the findings.
ABSTRACT
Background: The present study analysed the impact of the integrated medical care of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and Siddha herbal preparation KSK on asymptomatic COVID-19 patients based on their body constitution. Objective: The present study aimed to analyse the duration of the hospital stay of asymptomatic COVID-19 patients treated with the integrated medical care of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and herbal decoction of Kaba Sura Kudineer (KSK). Design: The study included a retrospective case series of 19 asymptomatic confirmed SARS-Cov-2 patients from District COVID Care Centre, Tirupati, India, between 23rd May to 7th June 2020. Methods: Clinical data were collected using a standardised case report form containing demographic information, length of hospital stays, and Siddha Yakkai Ilakkanam (body constitution) from the records. The association between the length of hospital stay, age, gender, and Siddha YI for the confirmed patients after admission was analysed by the Kaplan Meier survival analysis method. Results: Patients belonging to the Aiyam group stayed for at least nine days in the hospital, and 80% took ten or more days to cure the disease. About 71.4% took more than four days and three days of hospital stay in the Azhal and Vali groups, respectively. It was observed that 75% of females and 73.3% of males took nine days or more of hospital stay, respectively. The range of hospital stay was between 2-15 days for patients aged between 19 – 40 years. Conclusion: The present study explored the significance of integrating Siddha medicine with Western medicine in the management of SARS Cov-2 infection. An overall median of 9 days in the length of stay and 8.5 days in the overall mean survival time was documented. The patients of the present study on integrative treatment recovered about nine days earlier in comparison to the patients studied in Vietnam and China.
ABSTRACT
Many campaigns rolled out to enhance the awareness of people on COVID-19 prevention, control, and promotive measures. Siddha polyherbal formulations, namely Kabasura kudineer (KSK) and Nilavembu kudineer (NVK) were recommended by the Ministry of AYUSH, Govt of India as an advisory for AYUSH interventions for COVID-19. This study was conducted to estimate traditional siddha medicine practices and preventive measures against COVID 19 among the population accessing research clinic facility and the residents of containment zones of Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu State, India. We interviewed 569 participants, and most of the participants aware of adopting general preventive measures of COVID-19, 85% practiced hand wash and 95% wore mask. Siddha-specific measures such as drinking of KSK is reported in 77% (n=444, 77%) and NVK in 60% (n=360) in the containment zone areas for prevention and control of COVID-19. The population behavior documents belief in traditional medical system and to consider integrated medical approach for effective communication during public health emergencies.
ABSTRACT
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic, its rapid spread has impacted health care workers psychologically. Nurses experience heightened sense of anxiety as they are directly engaged in patient care. This study was designed to assess the Knowledge, attitude, fears of practicing nurses towards the Pandemic situation. Materials: The online questionnaire based descriptive study was conducted among nurses in the southern parts of Tamil Nadu. The Questionnaire was constructed by authors based on previous studies. The data collected were analyzed for descriptive statistics using SPSS 25. Results: A total of 186 completed questionnaires were analyzed for statistics. Female nurses were 146 (78.5%) whereas male participants were 40 (21.5%). Those with 5-10 years’ work experience had participated in large numbers (76). About 53% of the participants are working in Government hospitals. 93(50%) nurses had completed bachelor’s degree in nursing. About 108 nurses (58.1%) are from urban areas. The Mean knowledge score of the participants were 9.34. A majority of 144 nurses (77.4%) had scored more than 80% bloom cut-off marks. About 83 nurses had shown positive attitude in this COVID pandemic situation while more than half of the nurses agreed that spread among them can be controlled by regular Hospital infection control programs. In this study, about 111 nurses (59%) scored higher in anxiety/fear related questions showing that they are under occupation-related stress and anxiety. Conclusion: the study shows that the nurses are well informed about the COVID-19, its transmission and nature of spread. The fear/anxiety stress that most of the participants shows the imminent need for reinforcing active participation in counselling sessions, and hospital infection control programs to tackle the burden of work-related anxiety.