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Aim and background Lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) is thought to be multifactorial in origin. Very recently the focus has shifted to the involvement of a family of candidate genes in the pathogenesis of LDD. There is particular emphasis on the vitamin D receptor gene (VDR gene). The VDR polymorphisms FOK1, TAQ1, and APO1 have been variably associated with LDD. Objective To evaluate the association between the FOK1/Taq1 genes and LDD. Materials and methods One hundred unrelated healthy (asymptomatic) individuals who presented for routine health checkup and 93 consecutive patients (43 males and 50 females) with no history of low back pain were enrolled in the study after informed consent was obtained. The MRI images of cases and controls were graded and peripheral blood samples were collected from all participants and sent for genetic analysis. Results Individuals with the dominant genotype for Taq1 had a significantly higher association with LDD than those without it. There was no association between LDD and the Fok1 genotype. Conclusion Genetic predisposition is an important risk factor for LDD.

Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) autonomic neuropathy and reflux esophagitis are common in chronic diabetics. To gauge the adequacy of peristalsis, high-resolution esophageal manometry is considered as a reliable test. Aim and Objective: To compare the GI symptoms and high-resolution manometry parameters between type II diabetes patients and normal volunteers. Materials and Methods: This comparative study was conducted on 35 known type II diabetes mellitus patients (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] levels ≥6.5%) and 35 normal volunteers between the age group of 35 and 70 years. Sociodemographic details, drug history, disease duration, and GI symptoms were elicited among the study participants. HbA1c and High-resolution manometry were measured for all the participants. Results: The frequency of epigastric pain (31.48%), heartburn (34.28%), pharyngeal irritation (31.43%), and loose stools (37.14%) were significantly higher in the diabetics. Significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed in mean basal expiratory pressure (MBEP) and mean basal inspiratory pressure (MBIP) values between diabetics and controls. There was a positive significant correlation between esophagogastric junction contractile integral and MBIP (r = 0.557), MBEP (r = 0.583), Median Integrated Relaxation pressure (r = 0.410). Conclusion: Hyperglycaemia seems to be an independent risk factor for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Obesity significantly increments the occurrence of GERD in diabetics. Strict adherence to preventive measures such as weight reduction, diet management, glycaemic control will have a great impact on the occurrence of GERD in diabetics.

Background: Women in India are restricted in their daily activities and mobility due to taboos, cultural barriers associated with menstruation and menstrual practices. Poor menstrual hygiene can make them susceptible to various reproductive tract infections. In this study we assessed the awareness, knowledge of menstruation and practice of menstrual hygiene among adolescents.Methods: A college based cross-sectional study was conducted in the field practice area of an urban health training centre (UHTC) of a tertiary care hospital in the district of Coimbatore. Universal sampling method was used for selection of participants. A structured proforma was used for data collection. Microsoft excel 2007 was used for data entry and data analysis was done using SPSS version 27.Results: It was found that 80.4% had formal education on menstrual hygiene. 94.5% of them had the habit of changing pads/cloths before they go to bed. 94.1% had the habit of washing with water every time and 76.49% of those who had the habit of washing used soap/antiseptic while washing.Conclusions: Knowledge about menstruation and menstrual hygiene should be provided in schools and colleges. Ensuring availability of sanitary products, water, privacy and appropriate waste disposal in all public services and institutions can address the challenges.

Background: Depression among elderly is the commonest psychiatric disorder however it is commonly misdiagnosed and under treated. Most of the time it is considered as part of aging process rather than a treatable condition. Diagnosing depression in the elderly is often difficult as a result of presence of cognitive impairment as well as reluctance and denial by the elderly and their family members. Objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of depression among elderly rural population in South India. Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted over a period of 2 months among 575 elderly people aged 60 years and above in the rural field practice area of a tertiary care hospital in south India using a pre validated Geriatric Depression Scale. Data entered and analysed using MS Excel.Results: 77.56% of the study participants were found to be depressed. Among them 74.66% were mild depressive and 25.34% had severe depression. Depression was common in elderly males as compared to females. The prevalence of depression was higher in those who live single and those living with their children without their spouse and those with co morbidities.Conclusions: Prevalence of depression among elderly is high in rural areas. It also increases as the age increases. Early identification and timely intervention would promote healthy old age.

Background: Owing to change in behavior and lifestyle patterns, diabetes mellitus and hypertension are in increasing trend worldwide. They are associated with various complications resulting in high morbidity. Early detection of these would necessitate the prevention of complications associated with it and improves the quality of life of the people. The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence and determinants of diabetes mellitus and hypertension among urban population in the field practice area of a tertiary care hospital in Coimbatore.Methods: 299 individuals of both sexes belonging to six wards in the field practice area of a tertiary care hospital in Coimbatore were randomly selected and screened for diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Diagnosis was based on American Diabetic Association and JNC 7 guidelines for diabetes mellitus and hypertension respectively. Data on various factors associated was collected using pretested validated semi structured questionnaire.Results: Overall prevalence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension was found to be 32.44% and 38.8% respectively with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus and hypertension of 4.02% and 7.37%. Overall adherence was found to be 80%. Factors such as elderly age, sedentary life style, non-vegetarian diet, obesity are found to be associated with both diabetes mellitus and hypertension.Conclusions: Almost one in every third person found to be having either diabetes mellitus/hypertension or both with 20% non-adherence to treatment. This high prevalence necessitates the need for adoption of various strategies to combat the risk factors and to promote healthy life style.

Background: Alcohol use is associated with serious public health problems thereby raising the global morbidity and mortality. The main aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of alcoholism and its co morbidity pattern among urban adult population in Salem district, Tamil Nadu.Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was carried out among urban adult population in Salem district involving 493 participants. Convenient sampling method was used. Informed consent was obtained from each participant and information was collected by using a predesigned structured questionnaire. Microsoft Excel 2007 was used for data entry and SPSS version 24 was used for data analysis.Results: It was found from the study that the prevalence of alcoholism was high. Alcohol use in any form was found in 38% of the study participants. 8% of the participants confessed that alcohol is an eye opener to them. 6% of the participants lost their job and 15% of the participants were hospitalised due to alcohol.Conclusions: The study showed higher prevalence of alcohol use among urban adult population in Salem district. Awareness about the ill effects of alcoholism among the population and necessary rehabilitation will help to reduce alcoholism consumption and its related disorders.

Background: Hypertension is a chronic condition of concern due to its role in the cardiovascular complications. Poor compliance is assumed to be an important explanation for inadequate blood pressure control, convincing evidence for the same is lacking. This study was undertaken to provide such evidence, so that corrective measures can be recommended to attain better BP control. The aims and objectives of the study were to study compliance pattern and side effects of anti-hypertensive drugs among the known hypertensive patients; to study role of different factors that influence the compliance rate such as age, number of medications, frequency and follow-up visits of antihypertensive medication.Methods: A total of 207 hypertensive patients were identified from the family folders maintained in the Urban Health Centre, RMMCH and included in the investigation. During first visits, socio-demographic, drug intake history was taken. Follow up was done every two months and thus totally six visits were completed.Results: Socio demographic factors like age, marital status, literacy, occupation and income have no role on the compliance status. Sex has significant association with the compliance level (86.1%), where males have 93.4% and females 82.7% compliance (p