MEDICATION ADHERENCE IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS - A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the adherence of medications among type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. To evaluate adherence to therapy and study factors associated with non-adherence and adherence in patients with type II DM. Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted for 6 months in three hospitals. A total of 200 type II diabetic patients, who were on anti-diabetic drug therapy for at least 6 months, were enrolled. Blood glucose was measured and details of drug therapy were noted. Medication adherence was assessed using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale and adherence scores were calculated. Results: Only 15% had high medication adherence, while 24% had moderate and 61% had low medication adherence. Only 30% were having optimally controlled glycemic levels, whereas 70% were having uncontrolled glycemic levels. Medication adherence scores were lower (reflecting lower adherence) in type II patients with uncontrolled glycemic levels than those having optimally controlled glycemic levels, but this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Overall, medication adherence was low in type II diabetic patients. The study shows that to improve medication adherence, better counseling and health education of patients are required. Although several patients were adherent to therapy, adherent patients are more preferably to achieve glycemic control than nonadherent patients. Greater efforts are needed to facilitate diabetes self-management behaviors to improve patient outcomes

Histopathological study of leprosy along with Clinicopathological correlation at a tertiary care center

Background: Leprosy is a chronic disease, which remains a major public health problem in developing countries. The clinical presentation of various types of leprosy is overlapping. Histopathology remains the gold standard in the diagnosis of leprosy. Hence Clinicopathological correlation is important for the early diagnosis, classification, and treatment.Material and Methods: Two-year retrospective study was conducted in the department of pathology, KBNIMS, Kalaburagi. The study was carried on the skin biopsy specimen of clinically diagnosed leprosy cases.Results: A total of 36 cases were included in the study, which showed a male: female ratio of 2:1. The majority of the cases were in the 3rd decade. The most common clinical symptom was hypopigmented anaesthetic plaque and the most common subtype of leprosy was found to be lepromatous leprosy. Majority of the cases were multibacillary and tuberculoid leprosy showed maximum correlation. Conclusion: Clinicopathological correlation is pivotal in the accurate diagnosis of leprosy to prevent, treat, and eradicate the disease

Efficacy of zinc fortified and fermented wheat flour (EZAFFAW): A randomized controlled trial protocol

Background: Zinc deficiency poses significant health risks, particularly in low-income settings. This study aims to evaluate the impact of agronomically zinc biofortified (fermented and non-fermented) and post-harvest wheat flour flatbread on zinc status and metabolic health in adolescents and adult women in rural Pakistan.Methods: A four-arm triple-blind randomized controlled trial will be conducted in a rural district of Pakistan. Participants (adolescents aged 10-19 and adult women aged 20-40) will be assigned to receive fermented or unfermented high zinc agronomically biofortified wheat flour flatbread, post-harvest zinc-fortified wheat flour flatbread, or low zinc conventional whole wheat flour flatbread. The meal would be served once a day, six days a week for six months. The study aims to enroll 1000 participants and will be analyzed based on the intention-to-treat principle. The trial is registered with number NCT06092515.Outcomes: Primary outcomes will include serum zinc concentration and metabolic markers, while secondary outcomes include anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and dietary intake.Conclusion: This trial will provide valuable insights into the efficacy of agronomically zinc biofortified wheat flour in improving zinc status and metabolic health. Findings may inform public health strategies to combat zinc deficiency in resource-limited settings