ABSTRACT
There have been limited studies on Hatha yoga training as a complementary therapy to manage the symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis. The main Aim of the study was to check the impact of Hatha yogasanas on the Airway resistances in Healthy volunteers, a baseline data can be established and also to study the impact of Hatha yogasanas on the Airway resistances in Allergic Rhinitis patients in Bangalore, India. This is a prospective case series of 51 healthy volunteers (18 Males and 33 Females) Group 1 and 51 Allergic Rhinitis patients (18 Males and 33 Females) Group 2. The Objective analysis of the upper airway resistance was measured using a rhinomanometer and the lower airway resistance was measured using a spirometer. Then the subjects practiced specific Hatha yogasanas for three months. Then the airway resistance tests were again done at 3 months interval. The subjective analysis was done pre yoga and post yoga using the Short form-12 (SF-12) and Sino Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT) Questionnaires to assess the quality of life. The data was analyzed by doing a Paired (2-tailed) T Test, using SPSS (Software Package for Social Sciences) version 16. Total Nasal Airway Resistance pre yoga and post yoga in 51 healthy volunteers had significantly reduced at 150 Pa and the Forced Vital Capacity(FVC) pre yoga and post yoga had significantly increased,Forced Expiratory volume (FEV1) & % Residual standard deviation (%RSD) had increased but not significant. The Physical component score (PCS) and Mental component score (MCS) of the SF-12 health survey questionnaire had significantly improved with and the SNOT questionnaire score had significantly reduced. The Total Nasal Airway Resistance in 51 Allergic Rhinitis had significantly reduced at 150 Pa and the FVC pre yoga and post yoga showed increase but change was not significant, FEV1 pre yoga and post yoga had significantly increased, %RSD pre yoga and post yoga had significantly increased. The PCS and MCS of the SF-12 health survey questionnaire had significantly increased and the SNOT questionnaire score had significantly decreased. The scientific documentation of the impact of Hatha Yoga on the airway resistances can be an eye opener in the management of several other diseases of the airways.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Drugs used in the palliative care unit for managing symptoms are major contributors toward the expenditure occurring in palliative care. This study was conducted to understand the prescription pattern of analgesic drugs in the patients who are receiving palliative care in a teaching hospital in India by a retrospective study of case records. METHODS: Case record based, retrospective, descriptive study was conducted at the Pain and Palliative Care Department of St. John's Medical College Hospital, Bengaluru. Case record files of all patients referred to Pain and Palliative Care Department for the treatment of pain in the year of 2012 were studied. Patients' age, gender, diagnoses, numerical pain rating scale (0-10), drugs prescribed, dosage, frequency, route of administration were recorded. The difference in drug utilization between the genders was done using Chi-square test. Data were collected from 502 patients of which 280 (56%) were males and 222 (44%) were females. Twelve percent of patients had mild pain (1-3), 34% had moderate pain (4-6), and 54% had severe pain (7-10). The most commonly used analgesic drugs were opioids (47%), followed by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (36%). The opioids used were tramadol (56%), and morphine (38%). Ninety percent of patients with numerical pain scale more than 6 received morphine. There was no difference in analgesic drug utilization with regards to gender. Prescription pattern differed depending on the severity of pain. Opioids were the most commonly used drugs for pain management. CONCLUSION: The study shows that prescription pattern in palliative care unit of this hospital was in accordance with WHO pain management guidelines. The study showed the current trend in prescription of analgesic drugs in the teaching hospital where the study was conducted.
