Age-related disease burden in Indian population.

OBJECTIVES: Aging is not just a consequence of wear-and-tear, but it is the inappropriate regenerative mechanism of the stem cells. Aging is directly proportional to increase in health-problems involving all organs and physiological systems - more of non-communicable types. On the other hand, medical advancement and awareness about health-care are increasing the life expectancy, which could outnumber the young generation or the mainstream of work-force gradually. Hence, understanding of disease-prevalence is essential with a view to making necessary medical, environmental and economic arrangements and offering holistic care to the older population. STUDY DESIGN: Records of medical consultancies of outpatient departments (OPD) were retrieved from the hospital database and considered for understanding the disease-prevalence in the geriatric population. METHODS: Over 47000 subjects of 60 years and above were categorized into eight age-groups and analyzed for age-related disease-prevalence in both males and females. RESULTS: Approximately 25% were affected with cardiovascular system followed by 20% with general complication of cold/cough/fever and GI-disorientation. A uniform damage was observed in systems such as gastro-/neuro-/nephro-/ophthalmic and urology in both genders. Males were more prone to cardiac, nephorologic and urologic problems whereas females were more affected with musculo-skeletal problems than men. In general, men were more affected with geriatric diseases. CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular disorder after 60 years onwards could be related to stress for transition from 'income-to-no-income' state and lack of financial and other preparedness. Significant osteoarthritis problem in females is undoubtedly associated with ageing of ovaries. An intensive medical intervention following hospital-admission and outcome will guide for building age-friendly, long-stay and isolated accommodation, which could be considered for low- and middle-income countries as a model for handling geriatric disease burden.

Spectrum of health condition in methyl isocyanate (MIC)-exposed survivors measured after 30 years of disaster.

Health effects of methyl isocyanate (MIC) exposure were mostly reported on the one-time acute exposure in Bhopal population. Epidemiological survey conducted by the Indian apex body of health research has been reported as Technical Reports, which were lacking in peer review by the expert epidemiologic scientists. The present pilot survey was aimed to measure the health effects 30 years post disaster in MIC-exposed survivors. Questionnaire-based survey has captured every health complaint in 168 individuals and grouped as systemic functions for interpreting the long-term effects of MIC. Key health parameters, including reproductive outcome and respiratory/orthopedic/general morbidity, were prevalent among the severely exposed population compared to control and moderately exposed groups. The collective incidence of diabetes, hypertension, and cancer also was prevalent in the severely exposed group. Ophthalmic morbidity was almost similar in the three groups, rather with higher incidence in the control group, though not statistically significant. Among all health parameters, reproductive, ophthalmic, and respiratory effects were prevalent over others. Although the incidence of health problems has been declined among the survivors, long-term effect is apparent as scars of one-time acute exposure might trigger sequel of long-term effects. Additionally, acquisition of genetic rearrangements, survival of T cell sub-populations, variable latency of chemical effect on DNA nucleosides, nutritional status, occupational exposure, living environment, lifestyle, and overall gene-environment interaction might perturb individual immunity and favor onset of long-term illness in a scenario of background exposure to MIC. However, the exercise should be continued on a larger sample size for drawing a conclusive result on long-term MIC effect on survivors' health.