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

Global Positioning System – A new tool to measure the distribution of anaemia and nutritional status of children (5-10years) in a rural area, South India

Introduction: The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite based navigation system which is of late being used in the health field. Objectives: 1.To describe the geographical distribution of anaemia and malnutrition with GPS; 2.To assess the prevalence of anaemia and malnutrition in children aged 5-10 years. Subjects and methods: This exploratory study was conducted over a period of 2 months in the rural field practice area of a medical college situated in Bangalore during the months of June - July, 2012. Children in the age group of 5-10 years of age were the study subjects. Results: GPS was used for the describing the geographical distribution of anaemia and nutrition status on the Google earth map. The prevalence of anaemia in the study subjects was 8.7%.The prevalence of underweight, stunting, thinness and severe thinness among the study subjects was 52.8%, 28.5%, 23.5 % and 29.1% respectively, however  overweight  and obesity was observed only in 0.9 % and 1.2% of the study subjects respectively. Conclusion: GPS was easy to use and was able to demonstrate the actual distribution of morbidity at the household level in the rural area

Global Positioning System – A new tool to measure the distribution of anaemia and nutritional status of children (5-10years) in a rural area, South India

Introduction: The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite based navigation system which is of late being used in the health field. Objectives: 1.To describe the geographical distribution of anaemia and malnutrition with GPS; 2.To assess the prevalence of anaemia and malnutrition in children aged 5-10 years. Subjects and methods: This exploratory study was conducted over a period of 2 months in the rural field practice area of a medical college situated in Bangalore during the months of June - July, 2012. Children in the age group of 5-10 years of age were the study subjects. Results: GPS was used for the describing the geographical distribution of anaemia and nutrition status on the Google earth map. The prevalence of anaemia in the study subjects was 8.7%.The prevalence of underweight, stunting, thinness and severe thinness among the study subjects was 52.8%, 28.5%, 23.5 % and 29.1% respectively, however  overweight  and obesity was observed only in 0.9 % and 1.2% of the study subjects respectively. Conclusion: GPS was easy to use and was able to demonstrate the actual distribution of morbidity at the household level in the rural area

A Study on Clinical Features and Cost Incurred by Dengue Syndrome Patients Admitted to A Tertiary Care Hospital

Introduction: Dengue infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality which leads to adverse economic effects in many developing tropical countries. The present study allows in better understanding of the clinical presentations and also helps in describing economic burden of the same. Objective of the study wasto describe the clinical features, case fatility and cost incurred of dengue syndrome admitted to tertiary care hospital. Methodology:It was descriptive study done on patients admitted with clinical signs and symptoms of dengue during 2010-11 at KIMS Hospital & Research Center, Bangalore. The cost incurred by the patients in respect to hospital charges, laboratory investigations and drugs provided will be analyzed from the entries from the case records. These patients will be followed up through telephone contact provided in the case records. Results: Out of 325 cases who had clinical signs and symptoms of dengue, 200 were found positive NS1 Ag/IgM/IgG for dengue. 62% among them were males. 35.5% were in the age group of 21-30 years. Majority (92.5%) had Classical Dengue followed by DHF (7%) and DSS (0.5%). Most common clinical symptom was fever (94%) followed by vomiting (45.5%) and abdominal pain (33%). Hemoglobin was >12gm% in 73.4% of cases. Case fatality was found to be 1.5%. Direct median cost was found to be Rs.12,611/- and indirect median cost was Rs.3109/- Conclusion: Professionals and public should be made aware of common clinical manifestations of dengue syndrome for early reporting and seeking prompt treatment there by reducing the case fatality rate and the economic loss to the patients and country at large

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

Junk Food Eating Habits and Obesity among Medical College Students in Bangalore: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Junk foods are empty calories. An empty calorie lacks in micro-nutrients such as vitamins, minerals or amino acids, and fibre but has high energy. Objectives: To find out the extent of obesity among study subjects, to assess the junk food eating habits and to assess the factors influencing obesity. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 237 medical college students in Bangalore for a period of 4 months. The data was collected using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire by interview technique. Obesity among study subjects was assessed using body mass index (BMI). The results were expressed in terms of descriptive statistics. Odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. Results: In the present study, extent of Obesity was 20.7%. Ice creams & chocolates were the favourite junk food (47%) and KFC was the favourite junk food outlet (52%). Factor influencing the intake of junk food in majority was taste preferences (80.5%). Obesity was significantly associated with family history of obesity and increased junk food eating. Conclusion: Increasing awareness about the risks of junk food consumption during adolescence is an important step for the prevention oflifestyle diseases like obesity