Evaluation of disease distribution and drug utilization for management of psoriasis patients in dermatology OPD of a tertiary care centre: a retrospective observational study

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder that can have different clinical presentations. Topical corticosteroids are the primary therapy for psoriasis, but there are many new drug options approved for its treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the prescription patterns and disease distribution of psoriasis patients in a tertiary care center in central India. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of 195 psoriasis patients treated in the Dermatology OPD of a teaching hospital from September 2020 to June 2021. We analyzed patient data for demographics, disease characteristics, and medications prescribed using frequency distributions in Microsoft Excel. Results: Plaque psoriasis was the most common clinical variant among the patients, and the male to female ratio was 1.5:1. February had the highest number of patients treated, indicating an aggravation of symptoms during cold weather. Most patients (93.33%) were prescribed topical corticosteroids, with clobetasol being the most commonly used medication (78%). The average number of drugs per prescription was 5, with other drugs prescribed including emollients (53.33%), vitamin D (31.7%), anti-histamines (21.02%), and methotrexate (5.1%). Conclusions: Topical corticosteroids, particularly clobetasol, were the most commonly prescribed medication for psoriasis patients in this study. Multiple drugs were needed for the management of most patients. The study provides insights into the prescription patterns of psoriasis medications, which may improve patient care and outcomes

Drug utilization study of patients with dermatophytosis attending dermatology outpatient department in tertiary care teaching hospital in Central India

Background: Dermatophytosis is a common fungal infection in India, with prevalence ranging from 36.6% to 78.4%. Treatment options include topical and systemic antifungal agents such as amphotericin B, clotrimazole, miconazole, luliconazole, itraconazole, and terbinafine. With the availability of newer antifungal drugs, a drug utilization study is necessary to understand prescription patterns and promote rational use. Methods: This is a retrospective observational study conducted among the patients attending outpatient department of dermatology of Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Mayo Hospital. Prescription of patients with diagnosis of tinea were collected using efficient digital database. These prescriptions were then analysed depending on their demographic profile, treatment and then results were evaluated with the help of MS Excel and results presented as percentage and proportion. Results: Total 3701 patients had tinea with 1658 females and 2043 males with majority of patients from 16 to 30 years of age. 81% medicine were prescribed using brand names with prescription containing maximum antifungal drugs followed by antihistaminic drugs. Most common drug prescribed was terbinafine (29%), followed by luliconazole (27.46%) and itraconazole (17%). Most commonly topical antifungal agents were prescribed as cream (35.80%) followed by as lotion (26.26%). Conclusions: Drug utilisation pattern study like this is very important for studying the varying prescription pattern in treatment of dermatophytosis and to make a first step towards uniform and rational drug prescription

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANTHROPOMETRIC PARAMETERS AND INTELLIGENCE IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN FROM RURAL KONKAN

Aim: To study association between anthropometric parameters and intelligence in preschool children from Rural KONKAN.Method: Children between 3 to7 years of age were examined for anthropometry, dietary recall and Intelligence (Intelligent Quotient-IQ) assessment from rural anganwadis. IQ test was performed by clinical psychologist using Binet-Kamat test of intelligence (version 4). Nutritional information was collected from 24- hour dietary recall and food diversity. Results: Results were interpreted using Prorated IQ We studied 159 (82 boys, 78 girls) out of which 15 (9.6%) had higher IQ. 25 (15.8%) were born LBW. Anthropometry classification showed that 61 (38.4%) were stunted and 25(15.7%) were wasted. According to IOTF, 72 (46%) were thin, 83(52%) were normal and 3 (2%) were overweight. we found that there is no significant difference in IQ with respect to anthropometric parameters, birth weight and nutritional status. Conclusion: We could not find any association of anthropometric parameters with IQ inspite of high prevalence of malnutrition. Brain is vital organ which can be protected by redistribution of blood flow at the cost of other organs like liver and abdominal viscera, which are the markers for future risk of diabetes. There is need to improve nutritional status. New update of IQ test is much needed as the current test is more than 50 years old and does not take into account the social, cultural transition over last 2 decades. &nbsp

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANTHROPOMETRIC PARAMETERS AND INTELLIGENCE IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN FROM RURAL KONKAN

Aim: To study association between anthropometric parameters and intelligence in preschool children from Rural KONKAN.Method: Children between 3 to7 years of age were examined for anthropometry, dietary recall and Intelligence (Intelligent Quotient-IQ) assessment from rural anganwadis. IQ test was performed by clinical psychologist using Binet-Kamat test of intelligence (version 4). Nutritional information was collected from 24- hour dietary recall and food diversity. Results: Results were interpreted using Prorated IQ We studied 159 (82 boys, 78 girls) out of which 15 (9.6%) had higher IQ. 25 (15.8%) were born LBW. Anthropometry classification showed that 61 (38.4%) were stunted and 25(15.7%) were wasted. According to IOTF, 72 (46%) were thin, 83(52%) were normal and 3 (2%) were overweight. we found that there is no significant difference in IQ with respect to anthropometric parameters, birth weight and nutritional status. Conclusion: We could not find any association of anthropometric parameters with IQ inspite of high prevalence of malnutrition. Brain is vital organ which can be protected by redistribution of blood flow at the cost of other organs like liver and abdominal viscera, which are the markers for future risk of diabetes. There is need to improve nutritional status. New update of IQ test is much needed as the current test is more than 50 years old and does not take into account the social, cultural transition over last 2 decades. &nbsp

Nutritional Status and Psychological Impairment in Rural Adolescent Girls: Pilot Data From “KOKAN” Region of Western India

Background: Adolescence is a period during which psychological foundations are laid down as well as consolidated. Not much information is available on rural Indian adolescent girls and their psychological health.Methods: We did a pilot survey of psychological health of 80 adolescent girls residing at KOKAN region of western India. Psychological health was evaluated using Youth Paediatric Symptom Checklist (Y-PSC) consisting of 35 items with maximum score of 70. Girls with a score >30 were classified as psychologically impaired. In addition we also collected random blood sample and measured the micronutrients. Macronutrient intake was estimated by 24 h recall.Results: The mean age of the girls was 14 years with a standard deviation of 1.5. In all 35/76 (46.1%) could be classified as psychologically impaired. There was a high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies with varying degrees. More than 65% were deficient in calcium, zinc and folic acid. About 22% were anemic and 36% were vitamin B1 deficient. More than 75% had a low recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of macronutrients. Those with poor serum calcium concentration had higher psychological score (p < 0.05). Fat and calcium intakes were inversely associated with psychological score (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001 respectively). Odds ratios for psychological impairment were significant for those with low calcium levels [1.47 (95% CI 1.21, 4.31)], and for those with low calcium intake 1.43 (1.08, 3.19) and low iron intake 3.04 (1.02, 9.26).Conclusion: Our pilot data has shown the urgent need to improve the nutrition of adolescent girls, which could improve their psychological health