ABSTRACT
Background & Objectives: Low serum folate level is often reported as an adverse drug sequela of long term phenytoin usage seen with prolonged duration of phenytoin therapy. There is no previous study to prospectively track the serum folate level with usage of phenytoin, which is the objective of this study. Methods: Twenty-fi ve patients between the ages of 18-50 years diagnosed to have epilepsy and planning to start phenytoin were recruited in this study. Assessment of serum folic acid was done by chemiluminiscent method prior to the start of phenytoin and after 6 months of treatment. The serum folate level of 10 age and sex matched healthy control was also taken. Results: The average serum folate level was 7.48 + 2.04 ng/mL prior to the start of phenytoin therapy, which fell to 3.9 + 1.95 ng/mL after 6-month of phenytoin therapy (p-value <0.001). The average serum folate level for the age and sex matched 10 control samples was 14.46 + 2.81 ng/mL. Conclusion: A signifi cant fall of serum folic acid levels is seen in epilepsy patients after 6 months treatment with phenytoin.
ABSTRACT
The major burden of tobacco related diseases is borne by developing countries. Tobacco cessation is an important step in preventing mortality and morbidity due to tobacco related diseases. The objective of the study was to assess the profile of tobacco users utilizing the services of the district anti tobacco cell in Bangalore. A cross sectional study was carried out in 2009. Total of 122 persons above 18 years old, current tobacco users and who were motivated to quit were interviewed by a trained medical social worker. Information about the socio-demographic profile of the clients, details of tobacco use and nicotine dependence levels using Fagerstrom score was collected. SPSS 16.0 software was used for data analysis. The results have been presented using descriptive statistics and ANOVA tests. The study population was comprised of exclusively males. The mean age was 34.9 years. Seventy four percent (73.8%) were smokers while 26% were users of smokeless tobacco products. Fagerstrom scores showed that majority of tobacco users (54% of smokers and 63% of smokeless tobacco users) had moderate to high nicotine dependence. Most of the clients were self-referred. The average pack years of tobacco use and the mean Fagerstrom score were higher in the physician referred group indicating that physicians have access to tobacco users who could benefit the most from tobacco cessation efforts. Clients attending tobacco cessation clinics tend to have moderate to high tobacco dependence. Health care providers need to put in more efforts to refer tobacco users to tobacco cessation services. Improved physician awareness could help in stepping up tobacco cessation efforts.
