Blood pressure measurement in overweight, underweight and normal BMI undergraduate students of a private medical college: correlation of BMI with blood pressure

Background: It is estimated that by 2025 around 46.5% of India’s population will be suffering from hypertension and associated complications. Thus, early detection of hypertension can prevent complications in later life. Higher BMI is associated with increased risk of elevated blood pressure. Weight related problems are on rise in college/University students. The medical students are at greater risk owing to various stressors. Thus, the present study was undertaken to measure blood pressure and BMI of undergraduate MBBS students and to find correlation with them.Methods: 253 students were enrolled in the study. BMI (Kg/m2) and blood pressure (mmHg) were measured. The data was analysed using appropriate statistical tests.Results: BMI was 22.54±2.85 and 20.75±2.99 Kg/m2 respectively in males and females (p<0.001). 21.34% and 12.65% were found to be underweight and overweight respectively.  SBP and DBP in males and females was found to be 120.54±9.48/79.71±4.77 and 110.80±0.98/74.40±5.45 mmHg respectively (p<0.001). 67.98%, 28.07% and 3.95% students were found to be normo, pre-and hypertensive respectively. Significant positive correlation of BMI with SBP and DBP was found both in males and females.Conclusions: There is weight related concerns and associated complications like elevated blood pressure in medical students

Anaemia and Pregnancy in Rural India

BackgroundAnaemia is the most frequently observed nutritional diseases in the world. In India, anaemia is the second most common cause of maternal death, accounting for 20% of total maternal deaths. This study aims to determine the prevalence of anaemia and to explore factors associated with anaemia in one rural Indian pregnant population.Method  The study was conducted in the Maternity Clinic of Pravara Rural Hospital (PRH), Loni, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, India... Only pregnant women who were 12-20 weeks of gestation were eligible for inclusion. Anaemia was classified as per the World Health Organisation (WHO) grading criteria. The diagnosis of anaemia was undertaken using the standard peripheral blood smear examination. Consenting participants were interviewed using a pre- structured, pre-tested questionnaire.ResultsThree hundred and ten subjects were enrolled, of whom 232 (74.8%) were found to be anaemic. The majority (50.9%) demonstrated moderate anaemia while mild and severe anaemia were recorded in 70 (30.17%) and 44 (18.9%) respectively. A highly significant association was found with the mother‘s age, educational and socio-economic status, religion, parity and Body Mass Index (BMI). Other factors such as family structure and size, dietary habits and attainment of menarche were not significantly associated with anaemia.ConclusionVery high prevalence of anaemia (74.8%) early in pregnancy is an indicator of the failure of WHO and national programmes aimed at reducing anaemia in this group. Those pregnant for the first time are at greatest risk of developing anaemia

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PULMONARY FUNCTION TESTS IN SMOKERS AND NON-SMOKERS IN RURAL MAHARASHTRA

Background: In India smoking is a common ha bit prevalent in both urban and rural areas. Cigarette and bidi smoking has extensive effrcts on respiratoryfunction and is clearly implicated in the etiology ofa number of respiratory diseases. Objectives: 1. To study andcompare the pulmonaryfunction tests among smokers and non-smokers in a rural area. 2. To study the role ofpossible associatedfactors and relation of type, quantity and duration ofsmoking on the pulmonary function tests. Setting: Pravara Rural Hospital, Loni, District Ahmednagar Mfaharashtra. Study design : Cross sectional study. Materials & Methods: The pulmonaiy function tests were assessed on computerized spirometer in 400 male subjects comprising of 200 smokers and200 non smokers andresults were compared. Statistical analysis: SPSS Statistical Software. Results & Conclusion : Almost all the pulmonary function parameters were significantly reduced in smokers and obstructive pulmonary impairment was commonest. Thus by spirometly a spectrum of lung disorders may be detected at an early stage andsubsequent morbidity can be minimized

Association between smoking and hearing status: a comparative study between smokers and non – smokers

Background: Smoking, age, gender, socioeconomic class and education may contribute to the hearing loss. In this study hearing loss between smokers (current and ex) and non smokers was compared. Materials and Methods: 145 smokers [79 current (68 males, 11 females) and 66 ex smokers (60 males, 6 females)] and 145 non smokers (69 males, 76 females) were studied. Modified Kuppuswamy scale and smoking index were used. Hearing loss was assessed by Audiometry. P value of&lt;0.05(unpaired t test and chi square test) was taken as statistically significant. Result: Statistically significant and non significant differences were found between the mean age and educational status of current -ex smokers and smokers-non smokers respectively. Statistically significant and non significant differences were found between the socioeconomic status of smokers-non smokers and current -ex smokers respectively. Difference was significant between smoking index of current and ex smokers (p=0.003). 70.05% males had hearing loss as compared to females (49.46%). About 59.24% and 26.09% hearing loss cases belonged to low education and upper and upper middle social class respectively. 68% and 24.24% of moderate and severe smoking index were of professional to graduate educational status. 36.17% and 30.30% of moderate to severe smoking index belonged to upper and upper middle socioeconomic class. 73.91% were from low social classes. 47.59% non smokers and 25.51% smokers had no hearing loss. The severity of hearing loss was more in heavy smokers. Conclusion: Hearing loss associated with smoking was found to be more in male gender, advancing age, low socioeconomic and educational classes

Antihypertensive effect of patulitrin and other constituents from <i>Tagetes patula</i> L. (French marigold) in acute L-NAME induced hypertensive rats

The work is aimed to evaluate the blood pressure reducing effect of constituents from methanol extract and associated constituents of Tagetes patula flowers in normotensive and L-NAME induced hypertensive rats. The HPLC analysis of methanol extract of Tagetes patula flowers (JFM) resulted in the quantitative identification and percent comparison of four phenolic constituents, protocatechuic acid (PA), methyl protocatechuate (MPA), patulitrin (TRIN) and patuletin (PAT). All the extracts, fractions and compounds examined showed significant blood pressure lowering activity. Patulitrin (TRIN) which has emerged as the major constituent (15.33%) of T. patula flowers showed significant 30% and 68% fall in blood pressure in normotensive and L-NAME induced hypertensive rats respectively. The patuletin (PAT), which is an aglycone of TRIN displayed high percentage (84%) of antihypertensive activity. Further, comprehensive and advanced studies on these constituents may result in preparation of an effective blood pressure lowering medicine with active precious rare flavonoids, patuletin and patulitrin.</p