title: Community level morbidity control of lymphoedema using self care and integrative treatment in two lymphatic filariasis endemic districts of South India: a non randomized interventional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Currently there is no global program to manage lymphoedema as a result of lymphatic filariasis (LF). The primary aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of a previously proposed integrative treatment protocol, using locally available resources to address the morbidity, in a community village setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two LF endemic districts of south India, Gulbarga in Karnataka (GK) and Alleppey in Kerala (AK), were selected for the study. All known patients were invited to an LF camp. Patients with grade two late or three lymphoedema were enrolled. All patients were given training in the integrative procedure which involved patient education and the domiciliary protocol.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 730 patients (851 limbs) completed the three and half month follow up. There was a statistically significant (1%) reduction up to mid thigh level volume measurement for both small (0.7-1.1 liters) and large (1.8-5.0 liters) limbs, p < 0.000. In AK inflammatory episodes at the three months interval reduced from 37.5% (127 patients) to 28.3% (96 patients) and in GK from 37.6% (147 patients) to 10.2% (40 patients), p < 0.000. All patients had reduced bacterial entry points. There was an overall improvement in quality of life in all domains of LF specific quality of life questionnaire p < 0.000.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self care and integrative treatment is possible in resource poor Indian village settings. Further work is needed to explore factors leading to better compliance by randomizing the interventions such as washing and emollient compression vs Ayurvedic and yoga interventions before integrative treatment is considered for national health programmes in developing countries.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Applied Dermatology, IAD Junction, Uliyathadka, Madhur Road, Kasaragod, Kerala 671124 India. srnarahari@sify.com
authors.forename: Saravu R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Narahari
authors.forename: Kuthaje S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Bose
authors.forename: Madhur G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Aggithaya
authors.forename: Gaddam Kumara
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Swamy
authors.forename: Terence J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: Bhaskaran
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Unnikrishnan
authors.forename: Reynold G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Washington
authors.forename: Balu Palicheralu Sreenivasa
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Shrikrishna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rajagopala
authors.forename: Kadengodlu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Manjula
authors.forename: Usha
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Vandana
authors.forename: Thaivalath Anandan
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Sreemol
authors.forename: Mathew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rojith
authors.forename: Shanappa Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Salimani
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shefuvan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D019058:Community Networks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D058128:Compression Bandages; D004605:Elephantiasis, Filarial / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D055048:Integrative Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D008875:Middle Aged; D058069:Neglected Diseases; D011209:Power, Psychological; D045470:Rubia; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D015013:Yoga
keywords: Ayurveda; Compression therapy; Empowering patients; Integrative medicine; Neglected tropical disease; Yoga