A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE AGAINST DICLOFENAC IN OSTEOARTHRITIS

Objective: The main aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) with hydroxychloroquine against diclofenac and to compare the safety of the treatment of OA with hydroxychloroquine against diclofenac. The secondary objectives are the comparison of onset and duration of action of both the treatments.Methods: A prospective interventional study has been done in a tertiary care teaching hospital for 1 year from January 2016 to December 2016. The interventional model included an active control (diclofenac - nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). The control group received diclofenac 75 mg for 12 weeks, whereas the test group received hydroxychloroquine 200 mg for 3 months.Results: Pain control is significantly rapid in diclofenac group, whereas the duration of action is significantly increased in hydroxychloroquine. It can be clearly seen that the hydroxychloroquine group significantly increases the quality of life when compared to diclofenac group. It is clearly seen that the incidence of gastric ulcers is more common in diclofenac group when compared to hydroxychloroquine group.Conclusion: Hydroxychloroquine offers a newer spectrum in the management of OA. Although it is slow acting, it has significantly increased the quality of patient as it can have a prolonged action. Hence, hydroxychloroquine can be used as a newer entity in the management of OA

ASSOCIATION OF SERUM HOMOCYSTEINE IN DIABETIC NEUROPATHY

Aims and Objectives: The main aim of the study was to find out the association of serum homocysteine (HCY) in diabetic neuropathy patients. Methods: All the patients who were diagnosed with Type II diabetes mellitus will be included. Their serum levels of fasting blood sugar, postprandial blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin, and associated blood parameters will be assessed. Diabetic neuropathy will be confirmed using nerve conduction testing, electromyography, and quantitative sensory testing with clinically correlated. The serum HCY levels will be measured and correlated with other blood parameters. Results: Of 1000 patients, 46 were Type I diabetic and 954 were Type II. The prevalence of neuropathy in diabetic patients was 156. Mean serum HCY without diabetic neuropathy was 6.8+2.9 and serum HCY with diabetic neuropathy was 21.6+0.29 and p value was found to be 0.0017. The correlation between serum HCY and diabetic neuropathy was found to be 14.5 with p=0.001. Conclusion: There has been a significant increase of HCY in diabetic patients. It can be clearly seen that elevated serum HCY level has led to some of the complications of diabetic neuropathy