Traditional eye medicine associated keratitis- Current trends and practices

To study the prevalence, types and demographic profile of traditional eye medicine (TEM) use among corneal ulcer patients presenting to a tertiary eye care centre in South India.A cross-sectional study conducted on 432 new corneal ulcer patients at a tertiary eye care centre in South India from September 2018 to July 2019. Data collected included demographic profile such as name, age, sex, occupation, income, rural/urban residence, type of TEM use. Of the 432 new corneal ulcer cases, 32 used TEM. Most TEM users belonged to the age group 40- 60 years (n= 20; 62.5%). There was no difference in sex distribution. Majority of TEM users in our study resided in rural areas (n= 30; 93.75%), were involved in agriculture as occupation (n=28, 87.5%) and belonged to the lower socioeconomic status n=31(96.88%) as per Kuppuswamy classification. Profile of TEM used ranged from plant extract (n= 14; 43.75%), tongue cleaning (n= 5; 15.63%), oil (n= 7; 21.87%), breast milk (n= 4; 12.5%) and ash (n= 2; 6.25%). Use of traditional medicine is a prevalent practice in the study population. These findings offer a better understanding of health seeking behaviour of the study population which will lead to better planning, implementation and targeting of preventive and promotive eye services and awareness programmes.

The prevalence and burden of primary headache disorders among adults in rural villages of Bangalore District, South India: A community-based study

The prevalence of primary headache disorders (PHDs) and their burden has been seldom studied in the rural community setting of a developing country. To study the prevalence of primary headache disorders and their burden in the rural community A door to door survey was done in seven rural villages under Mugalur sub centre area, Sarjapura Primary Health Centre and Anekal taluk, Bangalore district, Karnataka State, south India, for finding the prevalence and burden of PHDs. During the study period of three months, a total of 1255 people were screened in the seven villages. 13.1% (165/1255) of people suffered from PHDs. The population prevalence of migraine without aura was 8.84% (111/1255), tension type headache was 2.86% (36/1255) and chronic migraine was 1.43%(18/1255). The mean number of headache days for all the PHDs was 4.26 (±1.64) days. 66.1% of persons with headache reported minimal or infrequent impact of headache. Among various demographic variables, headache was significantly associated with the female gender and marital status. PHDs are prevalent in the rural communities of developing countries and need urgent attention of primary care physicians, community health departments, governmental agencies and policy makers.

The incidence of thyroid dysfunction in diabetic patients – A study done at a tertiary care center in South India

It has been noted that in the Indian population the incidence of thyroid disorder is common and its incidence rises with advancing age. Screening for thyroid disorder is indicated for the certain high risk patients such as elderly and those already having other endocrinal disorders There are various studies that have shown a finding that a higher than normal prevalence of thyroid disorders in type 2 diabetic patients, of which hypothyroidism is the commonest disorder Owing to this we at the medical college at south India decided to evaluate the occurrence of thyroid dysfunction in patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and also to compare the level of thyroid dysfunction in the younger and the older population.Department of surgery, medicine and Pharmacology at Al Azhar Medical College Thodupuzha, Kerala, India for a duration of 3 years on 300 patients. The present study was an observational study during the period of study, the test subjects patients having diabetes mellitus and healthy individuals (Controls)coming for regular health check-up with no co morbidities detected were included in this study as controls.In the non -geriatric age group the mean age was 49.6 years SD + 8.15 years and in the geriatric age group the mean age was 68.78 years SD + 4.83 years. The commonest age group in the study was between the age of 61-70 years with of the study population. The age group in the present study ranged between the age of 30 years and 79 years. The incidence of diabetes mellitus increased with age, but the control of sugars is better with age thyroid dysfunction was as follows 20% had hyperthyroidism (36%) hypothyroidism. There is a linear increase with the prevalence of thyroid disorders with age with a r= 0.77 and p < 0.05.The incidence of thyroid dysfunction also increased with age As compared to the non -geriatric group which was the incidence higher in older age group p < 0.05.This study reveals about at least one in three who have DM are suffering from thyroid dysfunction, that increases with increasing age and uncontrolled sugars in this part of the world, which might warrant routine screening.