Musculoskeletal Comorbidities among known Diabetes Patients, their Quality of Life, and Healthcare Costs: A Comparative Study From a Tertiary Care Hospital in Uttarakhand.

Introduction: Diabetes is a chronic disorder with long-term sequelae and multisystem manifestation. Burden of diabetes in on the rise. Presence of other morbidities can not only have a detrimental effect on the disease treatment and recovery course, but also on the financial burden and quality of life. Present study aims to investigate how musculoskeletal conditions affect individuals with diabetes compared to those without the condition. Material and Methods: A comparative study was conducted among patients attending the outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital in North India to assess the burden of musculoskeletal disorders in people with and without diabetes. A total of 195 diabetes patients and an equal number of individuals without diabetes were sequentially enrolled from the outpatient department (OPD). Results: Burden of musculoskeletal comorbidities was significantly higher (46.2%) among people with diabetes than the comparison group (25.1%). The overall odds ratio (OR) for comorbidities of musculoskeletal system was 2.5 times higher in diabetes cases as compared to individuals without diabetes. The OR for rheumatoid arthritis, chronic backache, and osteoarthritis was found to be 3.6, 2.9, and 1.7 respectively. Poor quality of life and higher direct cost of treatment were found among diabetes cases with musculoskeletal comorbidities as against those without these comorbidities. Conclusion: Presence of musculoskeletal comorbidity is high among diabetes patients, and it has an impact on the quality of life and treatment cost. Screening for musculoskeletal comorbidities should be included as part of the diabetes complication assessment to allow for early detection and treatment.

Cardiovascular Morbidity, Quality of Life, and Cost of Care among Diabetic Patients: A Comparative Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital of Uttarakhand, India.

OBJECTIVES: Diabetes is commonly observed to be associated with several comorbidities, out of which cardiovascular comorbidities are most frequently observed. The present study has been done to estimate the proportion of cardiovascular comorbidities among patients of diabetes and to compare it with that of matched nondiabetics. It also aimed to compare the quality of life (QOL) scores and the cost of treatment between diabetics and nondiabetics with cardiovascular comorbidities. METHODOLOGY: A hospital-based comparative analytical study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital of Uttarakhand, India. One hundred and ninety-five diabetic were compared with an equal number of age- and gender-matched nondiabetics. We compared the two groups for the presence of comorbidities by Chi-square test and for QOL and cost of care by independent t-test. Regression was done to study factors associated with direct cost incurred for treatment among diabetics with cardiovascular comorbidity. RESULTS: The present study reported about four-time higher risk (odds ratio: 3.9; confidence interval: 2.5-6.1) of comorbidities of cardiovascular system (CVS) among diabetics as compared to nondiabetics. QOL scores were reported to be significantly lower among diabetics with comorbidities of CVS in comparison to nondiabetics. Significant predictors of direct cost among diabetics were religion, marital status, income, and use of alcohol. CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular comorbidities have been reported to be four times higher among diabetics in comparison to nondiabetics, leading to an adverse effect on QOL and increased expenditure on treatment.

Out-of-Pocket, Catastrophic Health Expenditure and Distress Financing on Non-Communicable Diseases in India: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review is to determine pooled estimates of out-of-pocket (OOPE) and catastrophic health expenditure (CHE), correlates of CHE, and most common modes of distress financing on the treatment of selected non-communicable disease (cancer) among adults in India. METHODS: PubMed, Scopus and Embase were searched for eligible studies using strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data was extracted and pooled estimates using random effects model of meta-analysis were determined for different types of costs. Forest plots were created and heterogeneity among studies was checked. RESULTS: The pooled estimate of direct OOPE on inpatient and outpatient cancer care were 83396.07 INR (4405.96 USD) (95% CI = 44591.05-122202.0) and 2653.12 (140.17 USD) INR (95% CI = -251.28-5557.53), respectively, total direct OOPE was 47138.95 INR (2490.43 USD) (95% CI = 37589.43-56690.74), indirect OOPE was 11908.50 INR (629.15 USD) (95% CI=-5909.33-29726.31) and proportion of individuals facing CHE was 62.7%. However, high heterogeneity was observed among the studies. Savings, income, borrowing money and sale of assets were the most common modes of distress financing for cancer treatment. CONCLUSION: Income- and treatment-related cancer policies are needed to address the evidently high and unaffordable cancer treatment cost. Economic studies are needed for estimating all types of costs using standardised definitions and tools for precise estimates. Robust cancer database/registries and programs focusing on affordable cancer care can reduce the economic burden and prevent impoverishment.

Sleep quality assessment among college students using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index in a municipal corporation area of Uttarakhand, India.

INTRODUCTION: Poor sleep quality have been reported among adults in most countries and are increasingly been reported in their predecessors, the college students. The present study aimed to assess sleep patterns and determine its association with various correlates amongst college students for effective and timely interventions in the habit-forming years of the life. METHODOLOGY: This was a cross sectional study done among college students enrolled in different courses, in Rishikesh municipal corporation area, in Dehradun district of Uttarakhand, India. Sleep Quality was assessed using a validated Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), which has seven components while Perceived Stress Scale-10 assessed Stress. RESULTS: Poor sleep quality was reported among 66% of respondents. Mean sleep latency among respondents was 27.2 minutes (SD 20.75 min), with a median and mode of 20 minutes and 60 minutes respectively.On logistic regression analysis, yoga/ meditation, which have been recognized as effective relaxation techniques since ages, were found to have a positive association with better sleep quality (OR 0.47, 95% CI (0.26 - 0.84). Stress (OR 4.10, 95% CI 1.71- 9.83) and mobile use before bedtime (OR 1.956, 95% CI: 1.02- 3.75) were also significant predictors of poor sleep quality. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The prevalence of poor sleep quality was quite high. Relaxation techniques such as yoga/ meditation and stress relieving workshops may pay rich dividends. Use of electronic devices before bedtime need to be restricted for better sleep quality.

Effect of comorbidities on direct cost among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in tertiary care government hospital in Uttarakhand, India: A primary data analysis of out of pocket expenditure.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The objective of present study was to estimate and compare the direct cost between diabetics and age and gender matched non-diabetics. It also aimed to estimate and compare the effect of various comorbidities on direct cost between cases and controls, while simultaneously trying to determine the predictors of direct cost among T2DM patients. METHODS: A hospital-based pair matched case-control study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Garhwal division of Uttarakhand, India to accomplish the objectives of study. Regression analysis was applied to determine the predictors of direct cost among diabetics. RESULTS: Mean annual direct cost among diabetics was estimated to be US$ 104.6 (Indian Rupees (INR) 7338.9)) in comparison to US$ 27.8 (INR 1905.8) among non-diabetics. The total cost among cases was significantly higher than controls, if they had comorbidities from CVS, nervous, ophthalmic, respiratory and musculoskeletal system. Gender, education, duration of diabetes and number of comorbidities were significant predictors in estimating the direct cost among cases. For each one-year increase in duration of diabetes, direct cost increased by 13.1 unit. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides us conclusive evidence of significantly higher expenditure among diabetics in comparison to non-diabetics. An effect on direct cost among diabetics was observed with types and increasing number of comorbidities.

New combined assessment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Utilization, pitfalls, and association with spirometry.

INTRODUCTION: Classification of chronic obstructive pulmonary (COPD) disease has changed from being solely based on spirometric variables to combined assessment including symptom scores and history of exacerbations/ hospitalizations. There is both lack of awareness regarding change in its assessment as well as underutilization due to time constraints and seeming complexity. Moreover, treatment of COPD needs to be tailored according to the new combined assessment. AIMS: Current study was planned to look at current stratification of patients according to new revised combined assessment (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease GOLD 2017) in comparison to old(GOLD 2011) as well as its incorporation in clinical practice. Co-relation between revised combined assessment and spirometric staging was also assessed. METHODS: 418 consecutive COPD patients were enrolled, their dyspnea scores in terms of modified medical research council scale (mMRC), preceding history of hospitalization/ exacerbation over preceding one year and spirometric variables were recorded. Their stratification according to old and new classification recorded. Their past treatment records were reviewed and combined assessment if done recorded. RESULTS: Substantial shift of categories is seen from C and D respectively to stage A and B on applying the new classification compared to old i.e more severe to less severe. Secondly, revised combined assessment is still highly underutilized. Revised combined assessment has positive co-relation with spirometry and post bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second(FEV1). CONCLUSIONS: Management of substantial number of stable COPD patients may need to be stepped down in accordance with revised combined assessment. There is a need to disseminate information regarding change in COPD classification and stress on its incorporation in our day-to day clinical practice. Revised combined assessment has positive co-relation with spirometry, stressing its utility even in peripheral centers without spirometry facilities.

Assessment of Diagnostic Value of Serum Ca-125 and Risk of Malignancy Index Scoring in the Evaluation of Adnexal Masses.

INTRODUCTION: Adnexal masses have a wide spectrum with respect to the age of presentation, signs and symptoms, imaging findings, and histopathology report. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional diagnostic study, conducted at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India. The data were collected from department of gynecology over a period of 1½ years from June 2017 to December 2018. All women who were diagnosed to have an adnexal mass irrespective to age, parity, and menopausal status were included in the study. Ultrasonography of the abdomen with the pelvis was ordered in all patients followed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging in selective patients. Tumor markers such as Ca-125 was measured, and risk of malignancy index (RMI) was calculated for each tumor. The clinical and imaging findings were correlated with intra-operative findings and finally with the histopathology examination report. RESULTS: A total of 171 women were included in the study who were diagnosed to have adnexal mass. A total of 137 women (80.1%) had benign tumor (Group B), whereas 34 women (19.9%) were found to have malignant tumor (Group M). Mean age in Group B was 35.85 ± 12.46 and in Group M was 46.12 ± 13.46 (P = 0.001). Ca-125 was significantly higher in Group M (1350 U/ml) than Group B (175 U/ml) (P = 0.008). The RMI score was also found to significantly increased in Group M than Group B (P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: With respect to adnexal masses, both Ca-125, as well as RMI scoring, are important diagnostic tools. RMI scoring has a better overall diagnostic performance than Ca-125 in predicting malignancy.

Assessment of Folic Acid Supplementation in Pregnant Women by Estimation of Serum Levels of Tetrahydrofolic Acid, Dihydrofolate Reductase, and Homocysteine.

Background. Status of folic acid use in pregnant women of the hilly regions in North India was little known. This study was carried out to assess the folic acid use and estimate folate metabolites in pregnant women of this region. Materials and Methods. This cross-sectional study is comprised of 76 pregnant women, whose folic acid supplementation was assessed by a questionnaire and serum levels of homocysteine, tetrahydrofolic acid (THFA), and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) were estimated using Enzyme Linked Immunoassays. Results. The study data revealed awareness of folic acid use during pregnancy was present in 46.1% and 23.7% were taking folic acid supplements. The study depicted that there was no statistically significant difference between serum levels of THFA and DHFR in pregnant women with and without folic acid supplements (p = 0.790). Hyperhomocysteinemia was present in 15.78% of the participants. Conclusion. Less awareness about folic acid supplementation and low use of folic acid by pregnant women were observed in this region. Sufficient dietary ingestion may suffice for the escalated requirements in pregnancy, but since this cannot be ensured, hence folic acid supplementation should be made as an integral part of education and reproductive health programs for its better metabolic use, growth, and development of fetus.

A study on assessment of symptoms and functionality in DOTS cured patients in two districts of Garhwal, Uttarakhand.

BACKGROUND: In 2013, an estimated 9.0 million people developed TB and 1.5 million died from the disease. India has achieved the target of a case detection rate of 70% and a cure rate of 85% through the nationwide Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) strategy. Tuberculosis may generate residual lesions in the course of its pathology, which impair the functionality of the patient even after achieving "cure" or "treatment completion". AIMS: To assess the presence of symptoms and functionality of tuberculosis patients who had completed the treatment or had been declared as cured under Revised National Tuberculosis Programme (RNTCP). METHODS: The present study was a cross sectional study. It was conducted in the two Tuberculosis Units (TUs) of Rudraprayag and Pauri in Garhwal region of Uttarakhand among the people who had completed treatment under DOTS or had been declared as cured under RNTCP in last one year. RESULTS: Even at the completion of the treatment about 37% had cough, 25% had expectoration, 6% had hemoptysis, more than 50% had chest pain and 65% had breathlessness. The mean distance walked by the participants in six minutes was 363.5 ± 58.2 m with a range of 245-490 m. CONCLUSIONS: The persistence of symptoms indicate that the functionality of DOTS cured patients remains compromised even after days and months of treatment completion, thereby necessitating measures for the improvement of the overall health of the patients rather than just the microbiological cure.

Assessment of prescription pattern at the public health facilities of Lucknow district.

OBJECTIVES: To study the prescription pattern at the different levels of public health facilities of Lucknow district and to assess the average cost of drugs prescribed. METHODS: Multi-stage stratified random sampling was done to select 1625 prescriptions of the patients attending the different level of public health facilities in Lucknow district, from August 2005 to September 2006, which was used for the development of study tools, collection of data and analysis. RESULTS: The important components of prescription viz. examination findings, weight of the child, follow up visit and the signatures of the prescribers were absent in the prescriptions at the primary level. Polypharmacy was common (3.1 ± 1.6 drugs per prescription). The prescription of drugs by generic name was low (27.1%). The prescriptions at the secondary level health facilities were incomplete with respect to mentioning the suffix/prefix of the drug, full name, dose, frequency and strength of the drugs, and directions specifying the route and duration of the treatment. The average cost of drugs/prescription/day in US$ (Mean, SD) was found to be the highest at the tertiary level (0.34, 0.43), which decreased significantly at the primary level health facilities. CONCLUSION: The pattern of prescription in terms of completeness and rationality was poor. There is an urgent need to improve the standards of drug prescription.