Executive director remuneration, company performance and executive director profiles for South African companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE)

Research thesis submitted in partial fulfilment (50%) of the Degree of Master of Commerce University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management – School of Accountancy 2015Executive remuneration has been under intense scrutiny by both investors and the media over the past 10 to 20 years because of the increasing magnitude of these remuneration packages (Otten, 2007; Sapp, 2007). This research report explores the relationship between executive director remuneration and the performance of publically listed companies (JSE) in South Africa, as well as ascertaining whether any relationship exists between director profiles and director remuneration. The study population comprised all South African companies listed on the JSE during 2014. The final sample consisted of 49 companies after the transformation of the data. A total of 708 director profiles were examined. The results of the study appeared to indicate a lack of correlation between executive director remuneration and company performance in publically listed South African companies. On the other hand, the results of the regression provided empirical support for the existence of a significant positive relationship between director remuneration and total assets. The results also illustrated that, in general, directors who are male over the age of 50 and who have served as directors for periods of between six to 10 years receive higher total remuneration compared to other classes of directors. It was also noted that race appeared not to play a role in director remuneration. Key words: Executive director remuneration, executive director profiles, company performance, ROA, Tobin’s QMT201

TO STUDY EFFICACY OF COMPREHENSIVE DIABETES CARE (CDC) MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IN TYPE II DIABETIC OBESE PATIENTS: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Context: Diabetes mellitus (DM) contributes to a major chunk of morbidity, mortality, and healthcare cost on a global level. The prevalence of DM is rising alarmingly, worldwide and India. Comprehensive Diabetes Care (CDC) is a combination of Panchakarma and diet management.Aims: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of CDC on Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body mass index (BMI), body weight, abdominal girth and dependency on conventional therapy in DM Patients.Setting and Design: This observational study was conducted in July 2017, wherein the data of obese Type II DM patients (HbA1c >6.5%) who attended out-patient departments (OPDs) at Madhavbaug clinics in Maharashtra, India were identified.Materials and Methods: Data of patients who were administered CDC (60-75 minutes) with minimum 6 sittings over 90 days (± 15 days) were considered. Variables were compared between day 1 and day 90 of CDC.Results: Out of 27 patients, 22 were included for analysis, out of which 10 were males while 12 females. CDC showed significant improvement in HbA1c 1.1% (from 8.80 ± 0.93 to 6.98 ± 1.73; p<0.001), BMI by 2.66 (from 33.79 ± 3.80 to 31.13 ± 3.91, p< 0.001), weight by 6.56 kg (from 83.67 ± 11.28 to 77.11 ± 12.27, p<0.001). Abdominal girth (from 104.34 ± 9.74 to 96.97 ± 11.93; p<0.001), also showed significant reduction. Dependency on concomitant medicines was reduced, with the number of patients on no concomitant medicines increasing from 27% to 41%.Conclusion: Comprehensive Diabetes Care Management Program found to be efficacious; by reducing HbA1c, as well as reducing dependency on allopathic medications

Clinical Study Crevicular Fluid and Serum Concentrations of Progranulin and High Sensitivity CRP in Chronic Periodontitis and Type 2 Diabetes

Introduction. This study was designed to correlate the serum and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of progranulin (PGRN) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs CRP) in chronic periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Design. PGRN and hs CRP levels were estimated in 3 groups: healthy, chronic periodontitis, and type 2 DM with chronic periodontitis. Results. The mean PGRN and hs CRP concentrations in serum and GCF were the highest for group 3 followed by group 2 and the least in group 1. Conclusion. PGRN and hs CRP may be biomarkers of the inflammatory response in type 2 DM and chronic periodontitis

Shared decision making and experiences of patients with long-term conditions : has anything changed?

Background Medication problems among patients with long-term conditions (LTCs) are well documented. Measures to support LTC management include: medicine optimisation services by community pharmacists such as the Medicine Use Review (MUR) service in England, implementation of shared decision making (SDM), and the availability of rapid access clinics in primary care. This study aimed to investigate the experience of patients with LTCs about SDM including medication counselling and their awareness of community pharmacy medication review services. Methods A mixed research method with a purposive sampling strategy to recruit patients was used. The quantitative phase involved two surveys, each requiring a sample size of 319. The first was related to SDM experience and the second to medication counselling at discharge. Patients were recruited from medical wards at St. George’s and Croydon University Hospitals.The qualitative phase involved semi-structured interviews with 18 respiratory patients attending a community rapid access clinic. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis using inductive/deductive approaches was employed. Survey results were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results The response rate for surveys 1 and 2 survey was 79% (n = 357/450) and 68.5% (240/350) respectively. Survey 1 showed that although 70% of patients had changes made to their medications, only 40% were consulted about them and two-thirds (62.2%) wanted to be involved in SDM. In survey 2, 37.5% of patients thought that medication counselling could be improved. Most patients (88.8%) were interested in receiving the MUR service; however 83% were not aware of it. The majority (57.9%) were interested in receiving their discharge medications from community pharmacies. The interviews generated three themes; lack of patient-centered care and SDM, minimal medication counselling provided and lack of awareness about the MUR service. Conclusion Although patients wanted to take part in SDM, yet SDM and medication counselling are not optimally provided. Patients were interested in the MUR service; however there was lack of awareness and referral for this service. The results propose community pharmacy as a new care pathway for medication supply and counselling post discharge. This promotes a change of health policy whereby community-based services are used to enhance the performance of acute hospitals

Clinical and microbiological effects of commercially available dentifrice containing amine fluoride: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Background: The inability of the normal adult population to perform adequate tooth brushing has led to the search for chemotherapeutic agents in order to improve plaque control. This 6 month, single center, randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted to assess the clinical and microbiological effects of a dentifrice containing only amine fluoride (AF) as the active ingredient on gingivitis. Materials and Methods: Ninety subjects diagnosed with chronic generalized gingivitis were selected and randomly divided in three groups: Group 1 - placebo toothpaste, Group 2 - AF containing toothpaste, and Group 3 - triclosan containing toothpaste with polymer and fluoride. Clinical evaluation was undertaken using the gingival index of Loe and Silness and the plaque index and microbiological counts were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. A subjective evaluation was also undertaken by a questionnaire. Results: AF containing toothpaste showed significant improvement in gingival and plaque index scores as well as microbiologic counts compared with placebo dentifrice. These improvements were comparable to triclosan containing toothpaste. Conclusions: AF containing toothpaste may be a useful formulation for chemical plaque control agent and improvement in plaque and gingival status and add to the list of various therapeutic agents used for maintenance of gingival health