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In the last decade, microinsurance witnessed an upward trend in India, accentuated by the COVID-19 pandemic highlighting its necessity. Despite this, research indicates that microinsurance penetration remains limited, especially in Developing Countries like India. This study aims to evaluate the reach of micro-term insurance and the challenges faced by the underprivileged in accessing its benefits. Secondary data reveals that microinsurance failed to reach Poor People. However, Primary data underscores that the primary barriers are lack of awareness and the amount of premium. Moreover, we found that individuals outside the poverty demographic perceive microinsurance as advantageous for themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Epilepsy and psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) are both common disease entities and psychiatric comorbidities are also high among the sufferers. Studies on the comparison of the levels of comorbidities between the two groups are few in number. Aims and Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate different psychiatric disorders like depression, anxiety, social functioning, and quality of life (QoL) in epilepsy and PNES patients and compare them statistically. Materials and Methods: 38 epilepsy and 22 PNES patients were evaluated with clinical history and different tools like the mini international neuropsychiatric interview - 5, Beck’s Depression Inventory - 2,state and trait anxiety inventory, Social and Occupational functioning scale for epilepsy and QoL in epilepsy - 31 questionnaire. Comparisons were made between the groups regarding sociodemographic data, scores on different aspects of psychiatric disorders, social functioning, and QoL. Results: The majority in the epilepsy group were males, and in the PNES group were females, while younger age group predominates in both groups. There was a high prevalence of depression and anxiety in both groups, while PNES subjects had significantly higher depression and trait anxiety scores. Social and occupational functions were comparable in the two groups, but QoL indexes were significantly worse in the PNES group. Conclusion: Findings in this study indicate that psychiatric comorbidities like depression and anxiety disorders are much more common among patients with epilepsy and PNES. Occurrence of depression is even higher among patients with PNES. Both epilepsy/PNES and these psychiatric comorbidities affect Socio-occupational functions and their QoL. Thus, it is very important to look for these psychiatric comorbidities and QoL in these patients and implement proper management protocols to improve their mental health as well as their QoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The present case-control study was designed to determine the association of GDF5 gene Polymorphism with risk of occurrence of Osteoarthritis especially knee osteoarthritis and to find any significant association of the polymorphism with the severity of the disease. Material and Methods: 200 samples were collected out of which 100 were confirmed cases of Knee osteoarthritis and 100 were healthy controls which conducted at VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital New Delhi. Results: On evaluation it was found that there was a significant difference in genotypic distribution between the case and control groups (χ²= 5.016, p=0.04). The wild type C allele was higher in control group than cases which is statistically significant (OR= 1.679, CI (95%)= 1.114-2.530, p= 0.006). Other genetic comparison also revealed significant results, there by resulting in a conclusion that GDF gene polymorphism increases the risk of occurrence of Knee osteoarthritis. But on comparison between various sub groups of cases based on KL grade, none of the association was statistically significant showing that the grading score has no association (p>0.05) with GDF5 polymorphism (rs143833). Conclusion: Our results revealed a positive association between the GDF5 polymorphism (rs143383) and Knee OA where TT genotype has an increased risk of occurrence of OA in North Indian population, whereas no significant difference could be concluded between genotype and severity of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]