RANDOMIZED, OPEN LABEL, ACTIVE CONTROLLED STUDY TO ASSESS AND COMPARE HEALTH RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE WITH MOMETASONE & FORMOTEROL VERSUS FLUTICASONE & FORMOTEROL DRY POWDER INHALER IN MILD TO MODERATE PERSISTENT ASTHMA

ABSTRACTObjectives: The present study was under taken to assess and compare the improvement in HRQoL among mild to moderate persistent asthmabetween Mometasone & Formoterol versus Fluticasone & Formoterol using dry powder inhaler using Asthma HRQoL questionnaire which is diseasespecific32-item instrument including 4 domains: symptoms, emotions, exposure to environmental stimuli and activity limitations where impairmentsexperienced during the previous 14 days and respond on 7-point scale.Methods: The present study was conducted in Preventive Medicine Unit and Chest & TB diseases OPD, KIMS & RC, Bangalore during March 2011 toFebruary 2012. 60 patients were recruited in each group based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. PFT was done pre and post bronchodilator withSalbutamol nebulization with Spirometry. Study medications were randomized and were given for 12weeks. HRQoL questionnaire was administeredbefore and after the medications and outcome was compared between them. Statistical test used were descriptive statistics, t- test.Results: There was a significant improvement in HRQoL from baseline to the end of 12 weeks in all domains (symptoms, emotional, exposure toenvironmental stimuli and activity limitations) in both the groups. The overall improvement in the HRQoL was better in Mometasone & Formoterolgroup compared to Fluticasone & Formoterol group but this difference was not statistically significant, which revealed both combinations wereequally effective in improving HRQoL in mild to moderate persistent asthma.Conclusion: Both Mometasone & Formoterol and Fluticasone & Formoterol combinations are equally effective in improving HRQoL in mild tomoderate persistent asthma patients.Keywords: Health-related quality of life, Mild to moderate persistent asthma, Dry powder inhaler

Children commute to schools in Bangalore urban and rural districts: travel pattern, behaviour and perceptions

Background: Children form vulnerable road users during their regular school commute. School children safety is not taken into consideration before construction of road network. The total number of persons injured in India during 2015 near schools or colleges or educational institutions due to road traffic accidents are 13,270 in urban areas according to National Crime Records Bureau which is quite alarming. Current study is the first attempt in both rural and urban Karnataka towards understanding travel pattern, behaviour and perceptions among school children during commute to schools. The objectives of the present study were to assess travel pattern, behaviour and perception of school children in Bangalore urban and rural districts and to assess factors associated with travel pattern.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted using a representative sample of schools selected by simple random sampling. Data was collected using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire which was analysed using SPSS version 20.Results: Nearly 86% of school children travelled less than 5 kms to reach their schools. Nearly 39% of school children travelled alone to school. Most common mode of travel to school was by walk. Nearly 27.4% did not cross the main roads safely. Adherence to road safety behaviour was insufficient. Vehicular traffic was perceived as a major apprehension by children during school commute.Conclusions: Commute of children to schools in both urban and rural part of Bangalore was unsafe with least adherence to safety measures, which might increase their vulnerability to road traffic injuries.</jats:p

An exploratory study on socio economic status scales in a rural and urban setting

Background: There are many different scales to measure socioeconomic status (SES). The present study was conducted with the objective to compare the most commonly used SES in rural and urban setting. Materials and Methods: This exploratory study was conducted in the rural and urban field practice area of a medical college situated in Bangalore for a period of 3 months between January and April 2010. Statistical Analysis Used: To measure the agreement between the scales spearman′s rank correlations was applied. Results: A total of 120 families were included in the study. Among the 60 families surveyed at rural setting, it was observed that, majority 40 (67%) belonged to high class when the Standard of Living Index (SLI) scale was applied. Among the 60 families surveyed at urban setting, majority 30 (50%) belonged to high class when the SLI scale was applied. Conclusions: The SLI scale gives a more accurate and realistic picture of the SES of the family and hence should be the scale recommended for classification of SES in urban and rural setting

Road Traffic Injuries among Schoolchildren from Rural and Urban Districts of South India: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Children are prone to road traffic injuries (RTIs) while commuting to school as pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and occupants of vehicles. Understanding these injuries is crucial for planning injury prevention programs. There is not much data available regarding RTIs among schoolchildren during commute to schools in the urban and rural areas of South India, and the current study is an attempt to explore the burden of RTIs among schoolchildren. Objectives: The aim of the study was (1) to assess the magnitude of RTIs among rural and urban school children while commuting to schools and (2) to determine factors affecting RTIs among school children. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in urban and rural districts of a state in South India, a pretested, semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: Magnitude of RTIs reported was similar in urban and rural districts. Children going to Government (public schools) reported more compared to the ones going to private schools. Male children and those accompanying other schoolchildren during commute to schools reported more injuries. Conclusion: Nearly one-fourth of the schoolchildren from Bangalore urban and rural districts reported RTIs during the past 12 months

Randomized, Open Label, Active Controlled Comparative Study to Assess Safety, Efficacy of Mometasone & Formoterol Versus Fluticasone & Formoterol Dry Powder Inhaler in Treatment of Mild to Moderate Persistent Asthma

Background: This study conducted to assess and compare the safety and efficacy of Mometasone & Formoterol versus Fluticasone & Formoterol. in patients with mild to moderate persistent asthma on symptom control and rescue medication usage. Method: The present study was conducted during March 2011 to February 2012. 120 patients were randomized in to two groups and were given Mometasone & Formoterol to group 1 and Fluticasone & Formoterol to group 2 for 12 weeks. Result: Out of 60 patients recruited in each group 7 were lost to follow up in Fluticasone group and 4 in Mometasone group. Out of 53 patients in Fluticasone group, 11 developed adverse reactions. Whereas in Mometasone group out of 56 patients- 7 developed adverse reactions. The overall improvement in Spi- rometry parameters was better in Mometasone group com- pared to Fluticasone which was not statistically significant suggesting both were equally efficacious. There was reduction in dosage of rescue medication used from baseline to the end of 12 weeks in Mometasone group compared to Fluticasone group. Conclusion: Both combinations were safe and equally effica- cious in treating mild to moderate persistent asthma patients