Research
RESEARCH OUTCOME
Research outcomes from the study undertaken along with National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in the rural population covering 8 Health Unit Districts of Tamil Nadu viz., Coimbatore, Tirupur, Dharapuram, Erode, Salem, Karur, Namakkal & Nilgiris during the period Dec 2011- April 2014.
For DMD & SMA- This effort is FIRST of its Kind in India at the rural level.
Our findings are listed below:
- Established the fact that the prevalence of DMD/BMD has been stunning, with 2.4 times more than that of the global figures.
- Total no. of Personnel trained in the Public Health System – 6639 (includes PHC Doctors, Village Health Nurses, Sector health Nurses, Community Health Nurses, Health Inspectors, Block Health Care Services, Asha’s, Anganwadis).
- Total no. Personnel trained in the colleges – 2751 (includes College Coordinators (NSS, YRC & CSS), College students and educated unemployed youths).
- Total Number of population covered – 18,00,000
- Total No.of Houses Covered – 15,00,000
- Total No.of Abnormal Cases Suspected – 2274 cases
- Total No. of DMD Cases identified – 722
- Total No. of SMA Cases identified – 210
Ayurvedic management of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: some fresh treatment insights
Introduction : DMD is an X- linked recessive disorder caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene which leads to physical disability. It is a progressive, incurable disorder manifested with muscular weakness, hypertrophy of the calf muscles. Around mean age of 19 child die due to respiratory insufficiency and cardiac complications. Corticosteroids are prescribed as gold standard towards management of the disorder; however, possible side effects are a major concern. Interestingly ancient Ayurveda text Charakasamhita written between 900 BCE – 600 BCE did include these clinical symptoms into various stages of Vatavyadhi namely Avarana and Dhatukhayaja and also had conceptual linkages of being maternally inherited. The line of treatment includes internal as well as external medications basically extricated in aqueous, lipid and alcoholic medium basically targeted to improve metabolic activity of cells, ameliorate free radical, modulate tissue necrosis and maintain cellular integrity.
Methods: Approximately 30 children genetically confirmed with DMD/BMD and age groups between 5-24 were offered for voluntary participation and avail therapeutic advantage through Ayurveda. The base-line data during the start of the medication were done. The children were assessed for their outcomes measures under general health, paediatrics, neurology, physiatrists, pulmonology and cardiology as per International guidelines every 3 months including Quality of life assessment. They were also assessed as per Ayurvedic methods to enable further customized treatments offered by AVCRI for a period of two years.
Results: The results under various specialties are encouraging. The outcomes have been recorded, scored and values compared to the baseline data during the 3rd month data and outcomes presented as improved, status-quo or deteriorated. The outcomes for most of the patients who were regular with their medicines, consultations, MD care assessments were recorded.
Conclusion: In terms of clinical assessments general health in the view of pediatricians was status quo for most of the kids, while cardiology and pulmonology showed good improvement. While the upper limbs showed improvement the lower limb deterioration was found in most of the kids. The overall quality of life of most of the children had improved in terms of their general health, briskness, appetite and bowel movement. Most of the parents indicated that frequent falls had decreased substantially in their children and episodes of cold and cough has become a rare event.