PRESCRIPTION PATTERN ANALYSIS OF NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Objective: The aim of the study was to analyze the prescription pattern of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and to identify the commonly used NSAIDs and their drug-related problems (DRPs). Methods: A prospective and cross-sectional study on prescription pattern analysis of NSAIDs was conducted for the period of 6 months. Results: Prescriptions of 150 patients containing at least one NSAIDs were analyzed. About 56% of the prescription were prescribed for males and 44% prescription were female. NSAIDs were more prescribed for below 60-year age group (47%) but were most frequently used by 61–70-year age group (21%). Subjects were regularly prescribed with acetaminophen (95%) and diclofenac (22%). Among all the prescriptions, (19%) of the prescriptions contained NSAIDs in the form of fixed dose combinations (FDCs). About 37% of prescriptions had other analgesic coprescribed along with NSAIDs amid which tramadol was in majority (22%). Prescription was also coprescribed with antibiotic (90%) and gastroprotective agents (GPAs) (97%) that consisted of pantoprazole belonging to the class of proton pump inhibitors which was the persistently prescribed GPA (86%). Due to coprescription, (3%) suspected drug-drug interactions (DDIs) were observed. Conclusion: The goal of studying prescribing patterns was to monitor, assess, and, if required, advise changes in medical practitioners’ prescribing behavior to offer quality medical treatment and reasonable drug use. The prescribing pattern was rational and in accordance with national list of essential medicine (NLEM-2015) but was not in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) model list of essential medicines

Monitoring the Diatom bloom of <i>Leptocylindrus danicus</i> (Cleve 1889, Bacillariophyceae) in the coastal waters of South Andaman Island

958-965Hydrographical parameters were studied and nutrients such as nitrate, nitrite, phosphate and silicate were measured. Temperature ranged from (24.5-27ºC), Salinity ranged from (19-25 psu). Nutrients such as nitrite varied between 0.23-1.009 µmol. l-1, nitrate (0.63-4.71 µmol. l-1), phosphate (0.02-0.23 µmol. l-1) and silicate concentrations remained much higher and exhibited between the ranges of 4.07-10.37 µmol. l-1. Biomass expressed in terms of chlorophyll a was high, ranged from 0.09-0.267µg. l-1. It was found out that an increase in the nutrient content has initiated the bloom. In the present investigation, following species of phytoplankton were found to be common; diatoms such as Bacteriastrum sp., Cerataulina sp., Chaetoceros sp., Corthron sp., Coscinodiscus sp., Guinardia sp., Odontella sp.,dinoflagellatessuch as Ceratium sp., Gonyaulax sp., Gymnodinium sp., Prorocentrum sp and Protoperidinium sp. An increase in rain fall (904.0 mm) during September 2012 due to south west monsoon which was also found to be major factor that contributed to the bloom

Prevalence of diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome in subjects with and without schizophrenia (CURES-104)

Background : There are some reports that diabetes and metabolic syndrome (MS) are more prevalent among schizophrenia patients. However, there are very few studies in India which have estimated the prevalence of diabetes and MS in schizophrenia patients. Aims : The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of diabetes, obesity, and MS in subjects with and without schizophrenia. Settings and Design : This case control study comprised of "cases" i.e. subjects with schizophrenia recruited from a schizophrenia centre at Chennai and "controls" i.e. healthy age- and gender-matched subjects without psychiatric illness selected from an ongoing epidemiological study in Chennai in a 1:4 ratio of cases: Controls. Materials and Methods : Fasting plasma glucose and serum lipids were estimated for all subjects. Anthropometric measures including height, weight, and waist circumference were assessed. Diabetes and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) were defined using American Diabetes Association criteria. Statistical analysis : One-way ANOVA or student′s "t" test was used to compare continuous variables and Chi-square test to compare proportion between two groups. Results : The study group comprised of 655 subjects, 131 with schizophrenia and a control group of 524 subjects without schizophrenia. The prevalence of the diabetes, IFG, abdominal obesity and MS were significantly higher among subjects with schizophrenia compared to those without schizophrenia-diabetes (15.3% vs. 7.3%, P=0.003), IFG (31.3% vs. 8.6%, P<0.001), abdominal obesity (59.2% vs. 44.7%, P<0.001), and MS (34.4% vs. 24%, P=0.014). Conclusion : In subjects with schizophrenia, the prevalence of diabetes, IFG, abdominal obesity, and MS is significantly higher than in those without schizophrenia

Prevalence of diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome in subjects with and without schizophrenia (CURES-104)

Background : There are some reports that diabetes and metabolic syndrome (MS) are more prevalent among schizophrenia patients. However, there are very few studies in India which have estimated the prevalence of diabetes and MS in schizophrenia patients. Aims : The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of diabetes, obesity, and MS in subjects with and without schizophrenia. Settings and Design : This case control study comprised of "cases" i.e. subjects with schizophrenia recruited from a schizophrenia centre at Chennai and "controls" i.e. healthy age- and gender-matched subjects without psychiatric illness selected from an ongoing epidemiological study in Chennai in a 1:4 ratio of cases: Controls. Materials and Methods : Fasting plasma glucose and serum lipids were estimated for all subjects. Anthropometric measures including height, weight, and waist circumference were assessed. Diabetes and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) were defined using American Diabetes Association criteria. Statistical analysis : One-way ANOVA or student′s "t" test was used to compare continuous variables and Chi-square test to compare proportion between two groups. Results : The study group comprised of 655 subjects, 131 with schizophrenia and a control group of 524 subjects without schizophrenia. The prevalence of the diabetes, IFG, abdominal obesity and MS were significantly higher among subjects with schizophrenia compared to those without schizophrenia-diabetes (15.3% vs. 7.3%, P=0.003), IFG (31.3% vs. 8.6%, P<0.001), abdominal obesity (59.2% vs. 44.7%, P<0.001), and MS (34.4% vs. 24%, P=0.014). Conclusion : In subjects with schizophrenia, the prevalence of diabetes, IFG, abdominal obesity, and MS is significantly higher than in those without schizophrenia

Differential sensitivity of rice pathogens to growth inhibition by flavonoids

Differential sensitivity of the major pathogens of rice, Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, Pyricularia oryzae and Rhizoctonia solani to inhibition by certain flavonoids was tested using paper disc/liquid culture and spore germination assays. Naringenin, the first intermediate of the flavonoid pathway, displayed growth inhibition of Xanthomonas strains and spore germination of P. oryzae. On the other hand, no such inhibition was found with Rhizoctonia solani. Crude extracts of leaf and pericarp tissues of a fully purple pigmented rice cultivar, Purpleputtu, also showed growth inhibition of Xanthomonas.The sensitivity of rice pathogens to growth inhibition by flavonoids was highly variable. Naringenin showed growth inhibition of Xanthomonas as well as Pyricularia. The anthocyanin extract from leaves of rice was found to be inhibitory to Xanthomonas

Empowerment of women and mental health promotion: a qualitative study in rural Maharashtra, India.

BACKGROUND: The global burden of mental illness is high and opportunities for promoting mental health are neglected in most parts of the world. Many people affected by mental illness live in developing countries, where treatment and care options are limited. In this context, primary health care (PHC) programs can indirectly promote mental health by addressing its determinants i.e. by enhancing social unity, minimising discrimination and generating income opportunities. The objectives of this study were to: 1. Describe concepts of mental health and beliefs about determinants of mental health and illness among women involved with a PHC project in rural Maharashtra, India; 2. Identify perceived mental health problems in this community, specifically depression, suicide and violence, their perceived causes, and existing and potential community strategies to respond to them and; 3. Investigate the impact of the PHC program on individual and community factors associated with mental health METHOD: We undertook qualitative in-depth interviews with 32 women associated with the PHC project regarding: their concepts of mental health and its determinants; suicide, depression and violence; and the perceived impact of the PHC project on the determinants of mental health. The interviews were taped, transcribed, translated and thematically analysed. RESULTS: Mental health and illness were understood by these women to be the product of cultural and socio-economic factors. Mental health was commonly conceptualised as an absence of stress and the commonest stressors were conflict with husbands and mother-in-laws, domestic violence and poverty. Links between empowerment of women through income generation and education, reduction of discrimination based on caste and sex, and promotion of individual and community mental health were recognised. However, mental health problems such as suicide and violence were well-described by participants. CONCLUSION: While it is essential that affordable, accessible, appropriate treatments and systems of referral and care are available for people with mental illness in developing country settings, the promotion of mental health by addressing its determinants is another potential strategy for reducing the burden of mental illness for individuals and communities in these settings