Distribution of different deha prakriti among stroke patients- A cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Introduction: Stroke forms the second most common cause of death and third most common cause of death and disability combined (measured by disability-adjusted life years lost -DALYs) globally. Advancements in the medical field over recent years have significantly lowered the mortality rates among patients who have suffered strokes. However the survivors had a high prevalence of disability, that is 101 million people are dealing with the consequences of a stroke globally resulting in 44 million disability-adjusted life years lost annually. Prakriti, a unique concept explained by Ayurveda as the inherent composition of an individual, determines the susceptibility, manifestation, course of disease and an individual's response to treatment. Therefore, Prakriti makes every individual unique in, therapeutic as well as preventive aspects. The present survey aims to determine the prevalence of different deha prakriti among stroke patients.

Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 96 stroke patients aged between 40 - 70 years, irrespective of gender, who were admitted to Government Ayurveda Hospitals of Kannur district. Their prakriti was assessed by a standardised prakriti assessment scale from AYU PRAKRITI WEB PORTAL developed by CCRAS New Delhi India.

Results and discussion: Out of 96 participants, 51.3% had kapha predominant prakriti, followed by 27.1% with vata predominant prakriti and 19.8% with pitha predominant prakriti. Kapha predominant Prakriti owing to its guna like mrtsna,sthira,guru, Snigdha etc makes the individual vulnerable to margavarana.

Conclusion: Kapha predominant prakriti was prevalent among stroke patients of Government Ayurveda Hospitals in Kannur district.