Indian Journal of Health Sciences and Biomedical Research 

About: Indian Journal of Health Sciences and Biomedical Research is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Population & Outpatient clinic. Over the lifetime, 275 publications have been published receiving 573 citations.

Risk of depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its determinants

Abstract: Background and Objectives: Depression is an important comorbid condition of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There is a risk of undertreatment for depression in patients with COPD as depressive symptoms, including suicidal tendencies, can erroneously be conceptualized as an understandable reaction to COPD and not as signs of an independent depressive disorder. The exact prevalence of depression in COPD patients among the Indian population is unknown. Aim: This study aims to know the prevalence of depression in COPD patients attending tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 COPD patients were enrolled in the study according to Global initiative for COPD (GOLD) criteria 2015. They were screened for depression as per Beck's depression score. Results: Eighteen patients in stage 1, 66 patients in stage 2, 29 patients in stage 3, and 7 patients in stage 4 of the COPD were enrolled. The prevalence of depression in the study population was 55%. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression in COPD is very high. The factors associated with depression in COPD patients were the duration of the disease, body mass index, GOLD stage, and smoking. Duration of the disease and smoking was the most significant factors associated with depression in COPD. Patients with COPD should be screened for depression and those with higher depression score should undergo further evaluation. Further studies involving larger number of subjects from several centers are required to study the prevalence of depression in Indian patients with COPD.

Cardioprotective effect of gallic acid against doxorubicin-induced myocardial toxicity in albino rats

Abstract: Objective: The present study was designed to investigate the protective and potential effect of gallic acid against doxorubicin (DOX) induced cardiotoxicity. Materials and Methods: Adult Wistar albino rats of either sex weighing 150-200 g were used in this study. DOX administered intraperitoneally in six equal injections (each containing 2.5 mg/kg at 48 h intervals) to total cumulative doses of 15 mg/kg over a period of 2 weeks to induce cardiotoxicity. The estimation of cardiac and lipid biomarkers of both control and treated animals were observed. In vivo antioxidant parameters such as glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and malondialdehyde were also monitored. The remaining portion of the heart tissue used for histopathological studies. Results: The treatment with doxorubicin increased the levels (P > 0.01) of serum cardiac and lipid biomarker which were brought down by gallic acid treatment. It also exhibited electrocardiographic changes such as reduced R wave and ST segment elevation. Histopathological study revealed that gallic acid restored the myocardial cells towards normal. The restoration of the endogenous antioxidant system clearly depicts that gallic acid have produced its protective effect by scavenging the reactive oxygen species. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that the cardioprotective effect of gallic acid might be attributed to its antioxidant property.

Epidemiology of diabetic foot complications in a podiatry clinic of a tertiary hospital in South India

Abstract: Introduction: The prevalence of diabetes is increasing worldwide resulting in foot complications, which leads to poor quality of life and increased cost of living. Aim: The main aim of this study was to find out the foot complications in diabetic patients and to analyze the underlying etiology. Methodology: A retrospective study was carried out in the podiatry Department of Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kerala among 277 diabetic patients with recent and recurrent foot complications. Results: Systemic hypertension (76.89%) has been found to be one of the major risk factor coexisting in the study population. 49.45% patients had preexisting peripheral neuropathy and non-healing ulcers were seen in 41.51%. Other complications include charcot arthropathy (10.46%), gangrene (9.38%), cellulitis (7.94%), fungal infections (6.89%), callus (3.61%), osteomyelitis (3.97%), and necrotizing fasciitis (2.52%). Culture report on foot ulcer patients revealed that Gram-positive Staphylococcus species (18.8%) and the Gram-negative Pseudomonas species (18.2%) were the predominant organisms. Other organisms isolated were Klebsiella species, Escherichia coli, Acenetobacter, Proteus, Enterococcus species, and streptococci. Fluoroquinolones were the most commonly prescribed antibiotics (33.5%), followed by penicillin (8.3%), clindamycin (6.1%), carbapenems (5.05%), cephalosporins (2.8%), cotrimoxazole (2.5%), and chloramphenicol (0.7%). Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of foot care, relevance of early detection of diabetes and subsequent monitoring of diabetic complications.

Medicinal plants and related developments in India: A peep into 5-year plans of India

Abstract: Medicinal herbs/plants or the herbal drugs refer to the use of plant and plant-based products for the management of common ailments. World Health Organization has defined herbal medicines as finished labeled medicinal product that contains an active ingredient, aerial, or underground parts of the plant or other plant material or combinations. In India, more than 70% of the population uses herbal medicine for their health-related problems. Many of the institutions adopt “reverse pharmacology” approach to study the clinical efficacy of medicinal plants and their pragmatic utility in healthcare. Moreover, the herbal therapeutics constitutes a major share of all the officially recognized Indian systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH). However, there is evidence of spurious drugs, irrational use, and adverse drug reactions of herbal drugs which should certainly be monitored with governmental patronization. Furthermore to be accepted as a viable alternative to modern medicine vigorous method of scientific and clinical validation must be applied to prove the safety and effectiveness of these herbal products. However, the clinical trial of herbal drugs is difficult owing to some of the obvious reasons. Around 20,000 medicinal plants have been identified for their medicinal properties; however, only 7000–7500 medicinal plants are being used by traditional practitioners. Similarly, the export of AYUSH-related items has increased from 2011 to –2012 and 2012 to –2013 and decreased in 2013–2014; however, import has been consistently increased during these years. Given this background, a brief review was carried out to assess the medicinal herbs and their development in India primarily through 5-year plan documents of India.

Knowledge of pregnant women about congenital anomalies: A cross-sectional study in north of Iran

Abstract: Background: Proper knowledge about risk factors and prevention of congenital malformations in pregnant women can lead to primary prevention of disease. The aim of this study was to explore pregnant women's knowledge about congenital anomalies, risk factors, and prevention in relation to their sociodemographic profile. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of the expecting mother's population was conducted over 3 months. Data collection was done through a questionnaire completed in face to face interviews using simple nonrandom sampling method in 150 pregnant women who visited the prenatal clinics in Rasht. The questionnaire contained 6 questions about specific knowledge and 12 questions for risk factors and prevention of congenital anomalies. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, as well as multivariate regression analysis was performed using SPSS 21 software. Results: The overall knowledge of pregnant women about congenital anomalies showed a significant relationship with age (P = 0.001) and the level of education (P = 0.000). However, there was not a significant relationship between overall knowledge and parity (P = 0.183) and the number of antenatal visits (P = 0.097). The participant who had High School and University education had the highest score in overall knowledge about the disorder. The age group 41-50 years had the lowest overall knowledge about the disorder. Conclusions: There is a need for public programs to increase awareness about congenital anomalies in pregnant women and people. Use of genetic counseling for families at risk for congenital anomalies is proposed.