Drug abuse in slum population.

Substance abuse is an important health problem throughout the world including India, but prevalence and pattern of abuse varies from country to country and in different types of population. Slums have their own social and economic problems so that substance abuse may be different in this population and might be related with these problems. The aim of the present study was to study the prevalence and pattern substances in slum population. Prakash Chandra Sethi Nagar slum area of Indore district was selected for the purpose of this study. In first phase of the study, first a camp was organized to sensitize local leaders, key persons, and local inhabitants about drug abuse at Chandra Prakash Sethi Nagar. After that basic information was gathered with the key persons in Chandra Prakash Sethi Nagar. In second phase by house-to-house survey, all members of the family were interviewed in detail and information was recorded on semi-structured proforma. We observed prevalence rate of 560/1000 populations, 78.2% were males, 28.2% were females, and two-third abusers were laborers (72%). In order of frequency, tobacco was the most common substance abused in 53.9% population followed by gutka (nontobacco pan masala). Other drugs in order of frequency were alcohol 46.5%, cannabis 8.9%, opiates 4.9%, sedative and hypnotic 2.0%, solvents 1.0%, and cocaine in 0.1%. Slum population has higher prevalence rates than general population.

Olanzapine and fluoxetine combination in severe or resistant depression.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) of olanzapine 5 mg and fluoxetine 20 mg in Indian patients with severe or treatment resistant depression. DESIGN: This was an open, non-comparative study of seven weeks duration with an initial placebo run in period of one week. METHOD: One hundred and fifty three patients were enrolled. One hundred and forty-four patients completed the study as per protocol and 151 patients were safety evaluable. One hundred and eleven patients (77%) received one tablet of FDC of olanzapine 5 mg / fluoxetine 20 mg once daily for 6 weeks, in patients (14%), the dose was stepped up at the end of 2 weeks to 2 tablets of FDC of olanzapine 5 mg/ fluoxetine 20 mg once daily for a further 4 weeks and 13 patients (9%) required dose to be stepped up at the end of 4 weeks to 3 tablets of FDC of olanzapine 5 mg and fluoxetine 20 mg once daily for last 2 weeks. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty four patients (93%) responded to FDC of olanzapine and fluoxetine therapy (a responder was defined as a patient with 50 % reduction over baseline in HDRS total score at the end of therapy).Statistically significant (p < 0.0001) reductions in HDRS total score, MADRS total score and CGI severity scores were seen with olanzapine/ fluoxetine combination. One hundred and four patients (72%) were remitters (HDRS total score of <7) after 6 weeks of therapy. Adverse experiences were reported by thirty one patients (20.5%). Majority of them were mild in intensity. No serious adverse event was recorded with study therapy. Three patients were withdrawn from the therapy due to adverse event. CONCLUSION: Treatment with FDC of olanzapine 5 mg / fluoxetine 20 mg was highly effective and well tolerated in Indian patients with severe or treatment resistant depression.