Use of Topical Steroids in Dermatology: A Questionnaire Based Study.

CONTEXT: Topical steroids, the most widely prescribed drugs in dermatology are being increasingly misused. AIMS: This study was conducted to assess knowledge and practices regarding the use of topical steroids and to analyze prescriptions containing topical steroids. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Following approval from the institutional ethics committee, participants were recruited as per the selection criteria and divided into those treated in the institution and those having outside prescription. They were administered a pre-validated questionnaire to assess knowledge and practices regarding the use of topical steroids. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Comparison of awareness between two patient categories was done using Chi-square test. Prescription variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Significance of P value was set at 0.05. RESULTS: Out of 400 patients, 167 had external prescriptions whereas 233 were institutional patients. Only 5.5% of all patients knew about the type of drug prescribed whereas 31.25% were aware of the indication. A total of 33.75% of the patients knew topical steroids required a prescription and 5.6% said they were aware that topical steroid use was associated with side effects. Side effects were reported by 96 patients. Awareness regarding knowledge, indication, and need for prescription were significantly better in institutional patients whereas knowledge about side effects was lacking in both groups. Psoriasis was the most common indication overall whereas tinea was the most common indication (51.5%) among externally prescribed. CONCLUSIONS: Although this study showed that institutional patients had comparatively better knowledge than community-treated patients, there is a need to create more awareness among patients overall and implement measures to stop irrational prescribing practices in the community.

Effect of montelukast in experimental model of Parkinson's disease.

Despite the availability of many drugs offering symptomatic relief in Parkinson's disease, there are no drugs available offering neuroprotective effect. Hence, it was decided to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of montelukast, an anti-inflammatory drug, in rotenone induced model of Parkinson's disease in rats. Forty eight male wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups. Group 1: Vehicle control, Group 2: Montelukast 5 mg/kg, Group 3: Montelukast 10 mg/kg. All the groups received rotenone 2.5 mg/kg intraperitoneally for 10 days as a disease inducing agent. The study drug montelukast was administered to respective groups orally from day 11 to day 24. On day 25, 24 h after 14 days of study drug administration, the rats were subjected to open field test, rota rod test and catalepsy test. Brain samples of rats from each group were collected for Malondialdehyde(MDA), Glutathione(GSH) and TNFα analysis. In the open field test both the doses of montelukast showed significant increase in the locomotor activity and also decreased the immobility time compared to vehicle (p < 0.05). In rotarod test, montelukast 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg showed significant increase in the time to fall, compared to vehicle (p < 0.05). In catalepsy test, both doses of montelukast significantly decreased the retraction time compared to vehicle(p < 0.05). The brain MDA levels were decreased and GSH levels were found to be higher in the two montelukast groups compared to vehicle (p < 0.05). TNFα levels too were decreased significantly on montelukast administration. Montelukast showed potential neuroprotective effect by virtue of its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory actions.

Adherence of Observational Studies Published in Indian Journals to STRO BE Statement.

PURPOSE AIM: Quality of reporting is very important in medical research. To ensure a uniform and detailed reporting of observational studies experts came out with a checklist of items, named 'Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology' (STROBE). The present study examines the adherence of observational studies published in selected Indian journals from 2011-2015 to STROBE Statement. METHOD: 7 open access Indian journals, belonging to different specialities were selected. All the observational studies were assessed by 5 independent reviewers for the adherence to STROBE checklist as 'yes, partly and no'. The completeness of reporting was also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 271 articles were examined. Only 10 items (Abstract, Background/rationale, Objectives, Study Setting, Data sources/ measurement, Quantitative variables, number of Participants at each stage, Characteristics of study participants, Key results) out of the 22 items and their subdivisions of STROBE were adhered to, in more than 70% of articles. Other 10 items (bias, subgroup analysis, addressing missing data, sensitivity analysis, reason for nonparticipation, flow diagram, missing data) had adherence in less than 30% of the articles. The completeness of reporting was 50.5%, 49.12% and 43.06% in cross sectional, cohort and case control study, respectively. CONCLUSION: The overall reporting was suboptimal. The completeness of reporting did not differ in the three types of observational study designs.