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Objective: This study analyzes the research output of India in asthma during the period from 1999 till 2008. It analyzes the growth, rank and global publications share, citation impact, share of international collaborative papers, contribution of major collaborative partner countries and contribution of various subject fields. It also analyzes the characteristics of most productive institutions, authors and high-cited papers. Materials and Methods: SCOPUS database has been used to retrieve the data on publication output in asthma research. Results: India ranks 15th position among the top 23 countries in asthma research, with its global publication share of 1.27% (862 papers), registering an average citation per paper of 3.43 and achieved an h-index of 33 during 1999-2008. Conclusion: Indian research output on asthma is quite low in the global context as reflected from its publication output per thousand population (0.001) and its world publication share (1.27%) during 1999-2008. Also, the impact and quality of Indian research is low compared to select developed and developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In India, under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP), the percentage of smear-positive retreatment cases is high. The causes of re-treatment include relapse of the disease after successful completion of treatment, treatment failure, and default in treatment. RNTCP does not follow up the patients for any period of time after successful completion of treatment to determine whether they relapse. Given the high cost of treatment for each patient under RNTCP and the potential for spread of disease from these patients, it is crucial for the success of the program and control of the disease in the country to find out more about the reasons behind this. To conduct a systematic review of literature and determine evidence regarding recurrence of TB after its successful treatment with standard short course chemotherapy under DOTS guidelines. Ten databases were searched including Medline, Cochrane database, Embase and others and reference lists of articles. 255 papers resulted from these searches. Seven studies were finally included in the review after applying the inclusion, exclusion and quality assessment criteria. Relapse rate is high (almost 10%) in India which is higher than international studies. Majority of relapse cases present soon after completion of treatment (first six months). Risk factors for relapse included drug irregularity, initial drug resistance, smoking and alcoholism Sex and weight were not risk factors in India. The outcome of relapse cases put on treatment is positive but less effective than new cases. There are sound arguments and sketchy evidence that DOTS Category 2 treatment may not be adequate for retreatment patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is increasing worldwide. There is a lack of national-level estimates on the magnitude of COPD in India. Hence, we estimated the prevalence of COPD among adults in India. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Scopus and included community-based cross-sectional studies reporting data on the prevalence of COPD among adults based on spirometry. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of COPD. Results: In the eight identified studies, (pooled sample of 8,569 individuals), the estimated prevalence was 7.4% (95% confidence interval: 5.0%–9.8%), I2 = 95.4% (P < 0.001). The prevalence was higher among males, in the urban area, and the northern region. Conclusion: Adequate training and resources should be provided to diagnose COPD at primary health care level for early management. A nationwide population-based survey is indicated to provide reliable estimates of the burden to inform evidence-based community-based interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and rhinosinusitis are becoming increasingly prevalent in the Asia‑Pacific region. The Asia‑Pacific Burden of Respiratory Diseases study examined the disease and economic burden of AR, asthma, COPD, and rhinosinusitis across the Asia‑Pacific and more specifically India. Objectives: To estimate the proportion of adults receiving care for asthma, AR, COPD, and rhinosinusitis and assess the economic burden, both direct and indirect of these chronic respiratory disease. Subjects and Methods: Consecutive participants aged ≥18 years with a primary diagnosis of asthma, AR, COPD, or rhinosinusitis were enrolled. Surveys comprising questions about respiratory disease symptoms, healthcare resource utilization, work productivity, and activity impairment were completed by treating physicians and participants during one study visit. Costs, indirect and direct, that contributed to treatment for each of the four respiratory diseases were calculated. Results: A total of 1000 patients were enrolled. Asthma was the most frequent primary diagnosis followed by AR, COPD, and rhinosinusitis. A total of 335 (33.5%) patients were diagnosed with combinations of the four respiratory diseases; the most frequently diagnosed combinations were asthma/AR and rhinosinusitis/AR. Cough or coughing up sputum was the primary reason for the current visit by patients diagnosed with asthma and COPD while AR patients reported a watery, runny nose, and sneezing; patients with rhinosinusitis primarily reported a colored nasal discharge. The mean annual cost per patient was US$637 (SD 806). The most significant driver of direct costs was medications. The biggest cost component was productivity loss. Conclusions: Given the ongoing rapid urbanization of India, the frequency of respiratory diseases and their economic burden will continue to rise. Efforts are required to better understand the impact and devise strategies to appropriately allocate resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]