Evaluation of antiulcer activity of diltiazem in rats

Background: The risk factors for patients with cardiovascular diseases and gastrointestinal diseases overlap. Majority of the patients have both problems coexistent. Thus, there is need of medicine that can be used for both the diseases.Methods: Rats weighing 150-250gm of either gender were procured for the study from central animal house. The animals were divided into 7 groups. Control group (Distilled water 2ml), diclofenac sodium (12mg/kg), diltiazem (10mg/kg), diltiazem (30mg/kg), diltiazem (60mg/kg), ranitidine (8mg/kg), ranitidine (16mg/kg). After six hours, scarification of animals was done by cervical dislocation. Size of ulcer, number of gastric ulcers, mean gastric irritancy index, ulcer index, and ulcer scoring were the parameters that were studied.Results: Diltiazem in dose of 10, 30 and 60 mg/kg showed reduction in all parameters in dose dependent manner. Diltiazem (60mg/kg) showed marked reduction in mean diameter of ulcerated surface area (0.46±0.36), number of ulcers (4.10±2.05), size of ulcers (1.07±0.48), total mucosal surface area (7.60±1.38), and total ulcerated surface area (0.263±0.3). Diltiazem (60mg/kg) showed significant reduction of the parameters as compared to other doses of Diltiazem. Also, diltiazem (60mg/kg) was comparable to Ranitidine in all the parameters. Diltiazem (60mg/kg) also showed reduction in average number of ulcers, ulcer index, mean gastric irritancy index and ulcer scoring as compared to diclofenac sodium (12mg/kg).Conclusions: Diltiazem has shown to have ulcer prevention property; this can be useful in patients having concomitant cardiovascular and gastrointestinal problems

Pharmacoeconomic evaluation in cost of illness in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in a tertiary care hospital

Background: India is expected to bear the burden of world’s greatest increase of diabetes population. This burden needs to be considered in terms of costs.Methods: Cross-sectional study was done in type 2 diabetes mellitus 100 patients that attended Medicine OPD. Prior to enrollment Institutional Ethics Committee permission was taken. Written Informed consent was taken. Demographic information related to Education, Occupation and Income was taken down. Also Information related to diagnostic tests and medications were documented. Inclusion criterion were 18-70 years of either gender diagnosed by Physicians in OPD as type 2 diabetes, willing to participate and have followed in OPD for at least one year. The Exclusion criterion was Critically ill or unconscious patients and Pregnant women. Direct and indirect costs were calculated.Results: The average age was 56.31±10.50 years. The average fasting blood glucose was 120.65±22.70mg/dl. The average cost per month for investigations was 159.74±128.06. Annual visit to OPD was 13.06±7.35. Time loss per visit was 5.62±1.29 hours and of accompanying person was 6.55±3.87 hours. There were 2 from Lower and 63 from Upper Lower socioeconomic class. There were 41 patients having diabetic complications. The indirect cost was around 5838.51 and direct cost was around 19925. Total cost per annum per patient was around 32361.27 INR.Conclusions: There is need for strategies to reduce the cost burden. There is also needed to design financial systems for diabetes related nationwide health programs

Evaluation of antiulcer activity of diltiazem in rats

Background: The risk factors for patients with cardiovascular diseases and gastrointestinal diseases overlap. Majority of the patients have both problems coexistent. Thus, there is need of medicine that can be used for both the diseases.Methods: Rats weighing 150-250gm of either gender were procured for the study from central animal house. The animals were divided into 7 groups. Control group (Distilled water 2ml), diclofenac sodium (12mg/kg), diltiazem (10mg/kg), diltiazem (30mg/kg), diltiazem (60mg/kg), ranitidine (8mg/kg), ranitidine (16mg/kg). After six hours, scarification of animals was done by cervical dislocation. Size of ulcer, number of gastric ulcers, mean gastric irritancy index, ulcer index, and ulcer scoring were the parameters that were studied.Results: Diltiazem in dose of 10, 30 and 60 mg/kg showed reduction in all parameters in dose dependent manner. Diltiazem (60mg/kg) showed marked reduction in mean diameter of ulcerated surface area (0.46±0.36), number of ulcers (4.10±2.05), size of ulcers (1.07±0.48), total mucosal surface area (7.60±1.38), and total ulcerated surface area (0.263±0.3). Diltiazem (60mg/kg) showed significant reduction of the parameters as compared to other doses of Diltiazem. Also, diltiazem (60mg/kg) was comparable to Ranitidine in all the parameters. Diltiazem (60mg/kg) also showed reduction in average number of ulcers, ulcer index, mean gastric irritancy index and ulcer scoring as compared to diclofenac sodium (12mg/kg).Conclusions: Diltiazem has shown to have ulcer prevention property; this can be useful in patients having concomitant cardiovascular and gastrointestinal problems