Cross sectional study of Siddha diagnostic method of Neikuri in Mathumega Noi (Diabetic mellitus Type II) according to Pirakiruti

Abstract

The global prevalence of Diabetes mellitus has escalated over the last centenary due to changes in behaviour and lifestyle modifications practiced by humans. In the Siddha system of medicine, diabetes mellitus is known as ‘Mathumega Noi’. The objective of the study is the observation of Siddha diagnostic method of ‘neikuri’ in ‘Mathumega Noi’ (Diabetic Mellitus Type II). It is a cross-sectional descriptive observational single-centric study. This study was carried out on 50 patients at Government Ayurvedic Siddha Teaching Hospital Jaffna. The mean age of the study population was 59 ± 1.25 years with a range of 40-70 years. Urine samples were collected in the early morning and ‘Neikuri’ was tested. The time duration between the collection of urine and performed as immediate and after one and a half an hour from the collection of urine. Neikuri is an antique method of urine examination based on the distribution of gingerly oil drops in urine. Data were collected by administering a questionnaire with the consent of the patients. Among the diabetic subjects, 35 and 15 respectively belonged to the ‘Pitha’ and ‘Vatha’ periods. There were more males (25) than females (10) in ‘Pitha’ as well as Vatha (10 males and 5 Females) periods. According to the assessment of Pirakiruti, there were 30 ‘Pitha Pirakiruti’ subjects, 15 were ‘Vatha Pirakiruti’ and 05 subjects were ‘Kapha Pirakiruti’. The highest incidence of diabetic Mellitus patients mostly ‘Pitha Pirakiruti’ was predominantly seen in 30 patients (60%). ‘Neikuri’ was assessed by spreading pattern and duration for spreading oil drop in urine significantly wherever applicable was found by Chi-square test at p<0.05 significant level. Results of the study showed 60% of ‘neikuri’ was ‘Pitha’ nature, 30% was ‘Vatha’ nature and 10% was ‘Kapha’ nature. This study helps to determine the Siddha diagnostic method.