Clinical Efficacy of Dhatryadi Ghanavati in Shvitra (Vitiligo)

Background: Shvitra (vitiligo) is a kind of skin disorder comprising of white coloured skin patches which is considered as a social stigma. Worldwide prevalence of Vitiligo is observed as 1% of the total population. Due to the chronic nature, long term treatment, lack of uniform effective therapy and unpredictable course the disease is usually very demoralizing for patients. Aim: To study the efficacy of ‘Dhatryadi Ghanavati’ in the management of Shvitra. Materials and Methods: Total 50 patients of Shvitra from OPD and IPD unit of Dr. M.N. Agashe Hospital, Satara were selected and provided with Dhatryadi Ghanavati 1gm B.D. for the duration of 3 months. Results: 100% relief was observed in Daha and Kandu followed by 83.33% relief was observed in Rukshata. 34.51% improvement was seen in number of patches, 34.82% in size of patches and 34.29% in percentage area involved. Color of the patches was improved by 69.01% whereas 44% improvement was seen in hair discoloration. Conclusion: The compound formulation ‘Dhatryadi Ghanavati’ was found as an effective remedy for ‘Shvitra’. The parameters like number of patches, size of patches, percentage area involved and colour of patches showed statistically highly significant results

Association of respiratory symptoms and lung function with occupation in the multinational Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has been associated with exposures in the workplace. We aimed to assess the association of respiratory symptoms and lung function with occupation in the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease study. Methods We analysed cross-sectional data from 28 823 adults (≥40 years) in 34 countries. We considered 11 occupations and grouped them by likelihood of exposure to organic dusts, inorganic dusts and fumes. The association of chronic cough, chronic phlegm, wheeze, dyspnoea, forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/FVC with occupation was assessed, per study site, using multivariable regression. These estimates were then meta-analysed. Sensitivity analyses explored differences between sexes and gross national income. Results Overall, working in settings with potentially high exposure to dusts or fumes was associated with respiratory symptoms but not lung function differences. The most common occupation was farming. Compared to people not working in any of the 11 considered occupations, those who were farmers for ≥20 years were more likely to have chronic cough (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.19–1.94), wheeze (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.16–1.63) and dyspnoea (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.53–2.20), but not lower FVC (β=0.02 L, 95% CI −0.02–0.06 L) or lower FEV1/FVC (β=0.04%, 95% CI −0.49–0.58%). Some findings differed by sex and gross national income. Conclusion At a population level, the occupational exposures considered in this study do not appear to be major determinants of differences in lung function, although they are associated with more respiratory symptoms. Because not all work settings were included in this study, respiratory surveillance should still be encouraged among high-risk dusty and fume job workers, especially in low- and middle-income countries.publishedVersio

Cohort Profile: Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study

The Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study was established to assess the prevalence of chronic airflow obstruction, a key characteristic of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and its risk factors in adults (≥40 years) from general populations across the world. The baseline study was conducted between 2003 and 2016, in 41 sites across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, the Caribbean and Oceania, and collected high-quality pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry from 28 828 participants. The follow-up study was conducted between 2019 and 2021, in 18 sites across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Caribbean. At baseline, there were in these sites 12 502 participants with high-quality spirometry. A total of 6452 were followed up, with 5936 completing the study core questionnaire. Of these, 4044 also provided high-quality pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry. On both occasions, the core questionnaire covered information on respiratory symptoms, doctor diagnoses, health care use, medication use and ealth status, as well as potential risk factors. Information on occupation, environmental exposures and diet was also collected

Raktamokshana (Siravyadha) In Vaivarnya – A Case Study

Skin is the largest organ of the body and constitutes 16% of the body weight. Nowadays drastic changes have occurred due to global warming, unfavorable food regimes, stress, unpredictable weather transitions etc. The vitiated external environment undoubtedly affects the body’s internal ailments. Large community prevalence studies have demonstrated that about 20 -30 % of the world population have various skin problems requiring attention; ‘Vaivarnya’ (discoloration) is one of them. Maintenance of normal skin color is the function of Rakta dhatu.  Acharya Sushruta has mentioned the Varnaprasadana karya of Rakta dhatu.  Acharya Charaka has described Vaivarnya as Shonitpradoshaja Vikara. Hence whenever there is abnormal change in skin color, there must be vitiation of Rakta dhatu. Modern science does not have certain and effective therapy for the Vaivarnya and world is expecting some beneficial and useful remedies from the Ayurveda. The treatment procedures described for Raktapradoshaja Vikara in Ayurveda are Langhan, Virechana and Raktamokshana. Among them Raktamokshana is practiced since ancient era in skin ailments. In the patients having dominancy of pitta dosha or vitiation of rakta dhatu, Raktamokshana gives better results at the earliest. The pilot study assessed the efficacy of Raktamokshana (Siravyadha) in the management of Vaivarnya, carried out on 10 patients of Vaivarnya from OPD and IPD from Dr. M. N. Agashe Hospital, Satara. At the end Raktamokshana (Siravyadha) therapy was found beneficial in the management of Vaivarnya due to its better and effective results and certainty

Study of efficacy and functionality of modified technique of proximal arteriovenous fistula as a vascular access for hemodialysis: A retrospective analysis of 171 cases

Background: Vascular access is the lifeline for a patient on hemodialysis. An arteriovenous fistula is the gold standard for hemodialysis access. The order of preference as given by the National Kidney Foundation-Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative guidelines suggests radiocephalic, brachiocephalic, and brachiobasilic transposition fistulae and then prosthetic grafts as vascular access options. Brachiobasilic transposition fistulae are associated with multiple challenges and complications. By our modified technique of brachiobasilic fistula, we have overcome the challenges posed by the conventional technique. In this study, we have evaluated the results of our modified technique and compared them with conventional technique. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was done, in which all cases of proximal fistula for hemodialysis performed in our institute by the modified technique from January 2010 to December 2014 were included in the study. Result: Of the 171 patients, 136 (79.5%) were successful. The primary failure rate was 20.5%. Maturation time required for the fistula to develop was 46.7 (±4.17) days. Flow rates of more than 250 ml/min could be maintained in 58.8% of patients. Patency rates were 79% at the end of 1st year, 74.2% at the end of 2nd year, 45.7% at the end of 3rd year, and 40.2% at the end of 5th year. Ease of access was determined by a number of pricks required to gain access and development of forearm veins. Of the 136 successful cases, 110 (80%) could be cannulated with ease in the first prick itself. Access over forearm was possible in 117 (86.1%) cases. Conclusion: The modified technique of brachiobasilic fistula overcomes the risk of complications and morbidity of conventional brachiobasilic transposition fistula and is equally effective as vascular access