Article: AN ASSESSMENT OF PREVALENCE AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN KAALANJAGA VAATHAM (PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS) PATIENTS AFTER TAKING SIDDHA TREATMENT: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Article Category: Original Research articles

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.130353

Pages: 31-34

Author: A. Siva *, H. Vetha Merlin Kumari, H. Nalini Sofia, T. Lakshmikantham, R. Meenakumari

Abstract: Background: Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic multi-organ inflammatory disease which impacts both physically and psychologically. The symptoms of Kaalanjaga vaatham mentioned in Siddha text Yugi vaithiya chinthamani are closely related to Psoriatic arthritis. In Ayothidoss Pandithar Hospital, National Institute of Siddha, kaalanjagapadai is one of the most commonly reported diseases. Psoriatic arthritis patients have impaired health-related –the quality of life. Therefore, this cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Kaalanjaga vaatham and quality of life in Kaalanjaga vaatham patients before and after taking Siddha medicines. Aim & Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of  Kaalanjaga vaatham in patients with Kaalanjagapadai; To evaluate the nature of quality of life in patients with  Kaalanjaga vaatham before and after taking Siddha medicines. Materials and Methods: In this study, about 100 patients with Kalanjagapadai were studied to assess the prevalence of Kaalanjaga vaatham. According to the ClASsification for Psoriatic ARthritis (CASPAR) criteria, the quality of life in Kaalanjaga vaatham patients were evaluated using the Psoriatic Arthritis Quality of Life (PsAQoL) questionnaire. Results: In the entire study population of patients with psoriasis, the total prevalence of Psoriatic arthritis was 13% (n/N = 13/100), with 69% (9/13) of Psoriatic arthritis cases were diagnosed as new cases, and the quality of life in Kaalanjaga vaatham patients were moderately improved with 52% after Siddha treatment. Conclusion: After taking Siddha medicines, the Psoriatic arthritis patients' quality of life improved significantly. Thus, early diagnosis and intervention play an essential role in enhancing the Quality of Life of Psoriatic arthritis patients.

Keyword: Kaalanjaga vaatham, Psoriatic Arthritis, Prevalence, Siddha medicines, Quality of life.