Diabetes mellitus (DM) is characterized by persistently elevated blood glucose concentration that lead to multisystem complications. There are about 400 medicinal plants cited to have a beneficial effect on DM. We must choose products wisely based on data derived from scientific studies. However, a major obstacle in the amalgamation of herbal medicine in modern medical practices is the lack of clinical data on its safety, efficacy and drug interaction. Trials of these herbal products often underreport the side effects and other crucial intervention steps deviating from the standards set by Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials. Due to a lack of knowledge of the active compounds present in most herbal medicines, product standardization is difficult. Cost-effectiveness is another issue that needs to be kept in mind. In this mini-review, we focus on the anti-hyperglycemic effect of herbal products that are commonly used, along with the concerns stated above.

Objective To assess the utility of Patient Based Disease Activity Score 2 (PDAS 2) in assessing the disease activity in Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted on 80 patients of RA. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded. They were assessed for disease activity using “Disease Activity Score 28” (DAS 28), “Clinical Disease Activity Index” (CDAI) and PDAS 2 score at baseline (M0), at 2 months (M2) and at 4 months(M4) while they were on treatment. Data was analyzed for correlation of PDAS-2 with other scores and internal reliability. P < 0.05 was considered for statistical significance. Results The mean age was 40.13\(\pm\) 11.74 years with 70 females and 10 males. There was significant reduction in DAS28, CDAI and PDAS 2 score over 4 month follow up (all scores’ p values < 0.001). Internal reliability (as assessed by Cronbach’s Alpha) of PDAS 2 was 0.578. PDAS 2 showed significant correlation with DAS28 at M0, M2 and M4 (r = 0.792, 0.757 and 0.669 respectively, p value < 0.001) and CDAI (r = 0.861, 0.832 and 0.695 respectively, p value < 0.001). Overall there was a significant agreement between DAS 28 and PDAS 2 (K = 0.788,p < 0.001) and between CDAI and PDAS 2 (K = 0.766,p < 0.001). Conclusion PDAS-2 score can be routinely used in the clinical practice owing to its correlation with DAS-28/CDAI and because of the advantage that it assessed the patients’ daily living activities.

To assess the utility of Patient Based Disease Activity Score 2 (PDAS 2) in assessing the disease activity in Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MethodsA prospective cohort study was conducted on 80 patients of RA. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded. They were assessed for disease activity using "Disease Activity Score 28" (DAS 28), "Clinical Disease Activity Index" (CDAI) and PDAS 2 score at baseline (M0), at 2 months (M2) and at 4 months(M4) while they were on treatment. Data was analyzed for correlation of PDAS-2 with other scores and internal reliability. P < 0.05 was considered for statistical signi cance. ResultsThe mean age was 40.13 ± 11.74 years with 70 females and 10 males. There was signi cant reduction in DAS28, CDAI and PDAS 2 score over 4 month follow up (all scores' p values < 0.001). Internal reliability (as assessed by Cronbach's Alpha) of PDAS 2 was 0.578. PDAS 2 showed signi cant correlation with DAS28 at M0, M2 and M4 (r = 0.792, 0.757 and 0.669 respectively, p value < 0.001) and CDAI (r = 0.861, 0.832 and 0.695 respectively, p value < 0.001). Overall there was a signi cant agreement between DAS 28 and PDAS 2 (K = 0.788,p < 0.001) and between CDAI and PDAS 2 (K = 0.766,p < 0.001). ConclusionPDAS-2 score can be routinely used in the clinical practice owing to its correlation with DAS-28/CDAI and because of the advantage that it assessed the patients' daily living activities.

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