Objective: To estimate a) monthly expenditure for treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN) and both (DM+HTN) and b) economic burden (EB) and psychological burden (PB) of therapy of DM, HTN and DM+HTN.Methods: An observational questionnaire-based study was conducted among 180 patients. The monthly cost of drug therapy was assessed based on the drugs they were taking and the cost of individual drugs. The EB and PB were assessed using a validated questionnaire and data analysed by ANOVA followed by post hoc test.Results: Among 216 patients who were interviewed, 180 fulfilled the selection criteria. Among 180, 75 had DM, 40 HTN and 65 had both. Prevalence of DM and DM+HTN was higher among females and of HTN equal among males and females. The average total monthly cost of therapy for DM was INR 2077, for HTN INR 1464 and for DM+HTN INR 2269.Significant correlation was found between income and percentage of expenditure (p<0.001) in all the groups. The PB was found to correlate with low income (p<0.001), poor education (p<0.05) occupation (p<0.01) in DM+HTN and number of tablets (p<0.01) in DM and DM+HTN groups. Conclusion:The cost of therapy was higher for DM+HTN and DM. The percentage of expenditure was higher in low-income group and burden of therapy was directly proportional to the number of tablets, poor educational and occupational status; and inversely proportional to income.

Background Hypercholesterolemia is the predominantfactor in developing atherosclerosis and myocardial diseases.A major contributor for the progression of atherosclerosis is abnormalities in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism.Hence the objectives of the study was to estimatethe comparative efficacy of Lutein with atorvastatin on lipid profile and lipoprotein(a) and to estimate the histopahthological changes in hypercholesterolemic male wistar rats. Materials and Methods Experimental Wistar rats (male) were grouped into six. Each group contains 6 rats. Group I is control. Group II received cholesterol rich diet. Group III received cholesterol rich diet and the drug Atorvastatin 5mg/kg. Group IV received cholesterol rich diet and the drugLutein 25mg/kg. Group V received cholesterol rich diet and the drugLutein 50mg/kg. Group VI received cholesterol rich diet and the drug Lutein100mg/kg. At the end of 16 weeks, Blood samples from each rats was taken through retro-orbital puncture to evaluate serum lipoproteinsand lipoprotein(a) and thenwistar rats were sacrificed underinjection I.M Ketamine,Aortaand Liverwere dissected out and sent for histopathological studies. Results The plasma LDL, VLDL, Triglycerides, total cholesterol, lipoprotein(a) levels were reduced in all lutein treated groups and atorvastatin treated group compared to high cholesterol diet group. A significant rise in HDL levels was noted in all Lutein treated groups and atorvastatin treated group. No statistically significant difference was seen between Atorvastatin 5mg/kg body weight and Lutein 100mg/kg body weight on reduction of total cholesterol.The efficacy of the drug Lutein in progression of atherosclerosis and its cytoprotective action in liver was proved in this study. Conclusion This study indicates that Lutein has effect onreducing plasma lipoproteins&the study had shown significant antiatherogenic effect.