Asian Institute of Public Health University is a Privately operated Public health university located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. It was established in 2008 to bring the much needed expertise in various domains of public health to Odisha, emerging from close to two decades of community, hospital, and laboratory-based research and training in public health & expanding its contribution to a larger audience in the rest of country and in the neighboring Asian countries sharing population health problems of similar nature and magnitude. It was later conferred with university status after the AIPH University, Odisha Bill, 2017 was passed by the Odisha Legislative Assembly. It is the first Public health institute of India & the only entity in the country conducting public health education, research and service with expertise in all major domains of public health as well as the only institution that imparts required education at Masters and PhD level in the major domains of public health and conducts population-based hospital and laboratory research. The university has collaborated with well known Indian & global healthcare associations like AIIMS New Delhi, ICMR, WHO, UNICEF, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine etc.
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting approximately 2–3
Background: Liver enzymes are critical biomarkers reflecting hepatocellular and cholestatic injury. However, their variability across demographic factors and their interrelationships remain incompletely understood. Objective: To evaluate the distribution, determinants, and clustering patterns of liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP) using advanced statistical approaches. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 participants. Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, Pearson correlation, one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression were performed. Log transformation was applied to normalize skewed data. Outlier diagnostics and K-means clustering were used for advanced analysis. Results: The mean age was 21.42 ± 11.02 years. No significant gender differences were observed (p > 0.05). ALP showed significant variation across age groups (p = 0.015). Regression analysis identified age (β = -1.12, p = 0.018) and AST (β = 0.82, p = 0.006) as independent predictors of ALP. Log transformation improved model stability. Cluster analysis identified three distinct biochemical phenotypes: normal, hepatocellular, and cholestatic patterns. Conclusion: ALP is the most variable and clinically informative enzyme, significantly influenced by age and AST. Advanced statistical approaches reveal distinct biochemical phenotypes, supporting heterogeneity in liver function dynamics.
Background Children residing in Child Care Institutions (CCIs) in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) represent a particularly vulnerable group exposed to nutritional deprivation, inadequate hygiene, and constrained health-seeking resources. Despite a substantial burden of malnutrition among institutionalised children in India, integrated assessments combining anthropometric, hygiene, and qualitative health-seeking data remain scarce. Objective To assess nutritional status, personal hygiene practices, and health-seeking behaviour among children aged 5–14 years residing in CCIs in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Methods A cross-sectional mixed-methods design was employed. Six CCIs were randomly selected from ten in Bhubaneswar. Complete enumeration yielded 157 eligible children (participation rate 77.3%). Nutritional status was assessed using WHO/NCHS anthropometric z-scores (height-for-age and BMI-for-age). Personal hygiene was evaluated via a 17-item structured questionnaire. In-depth interviews (IDIs) with six caretakers explored health-seeking behaviour and were analysed thematically using MAXQDA. Logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with stunting, thinness, and hygiene practices. Results The prevalence of moderate-to-severe stunting was 33.1% and thinness affected 54.8% of children. Although female children demonstrated better personal hygiene practices than males (62% vs 37% very good; p > 0.05), the relationship was not statistically significant. Older age (12–14 years) was the strongest predictor of good hygiene practices: for 12–14 years (AOR 45.01, 95% CI 9.08–223.10; p < 0.001), and for 9–11 years (AOR 6.83, 95% CI 2.12–22.02; p = 0.001). Older children were significantly less likely to be thin: for 12–14 years (AOR 0.07, 95% CI 0.01–0.50; p = 0.008), and for 9–11 years (AOR 0.13, 95% CI 0.03–0.68; p = 0.010). Males were also significantly less likely to be thin (AOR 0.53, 95% CI 0.25–1.12; p = 0.050). None of the factors associated with stunting were statistically significant. Qualitative analysis identified funding constraints, caregiver agency, and reliance on government facilities as key determinants of health-seeking. Conclusion Stunting and thinness are highly prevalent among CCI children in Bhubaneswar. Older age children (9–11 years and 12–14 years) were found to be less thin and followed better hygiene practices. Males were also less likely to be thin. Sustained government funding for nutritious diets, hygiene education, and caregiver capacity-building is urgently required.
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder associated with significant vascular complications. Platelet activation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of these complications. Mean platelet volume (MPV) has emerged as a potential marker of platelet activity and thrombotic risk. Objective: To evaluate the role of platelet indices, particularly MPV, in relation to glycemic control and diabetic complications in patients with type 2 DM. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 110 patients with type 2 DM. Clinical parameters and biochemical markers, including fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and MPV, were analyzed. Correlations between platelet indices, glycemic status, and complications were assessed using appropriate statistical methods. Results: MPV levels were significantly higher in patients with poor glycemic control and showed a strong positive correlation with HbA1c and FBG. Elevated MPV values were also observed in patients with microvascular complications such as retinopathy and proteinuria. No significant association was found between MPV and age or gender, while higher MPV levels were noted in patients with increased BMI and hypertension. Conclusion: MPV may serve as a simple, cost-effective biomarker for assessing platelet activation and identifying patients at increased risk of vascular complications in type 2 DM. Routine evaluation of platelet indices could aid in early risk stratification and management. Further large-scale studies are required to confirm these findings.
Background Autoimmune thyroid disorders (AITDs) are among the most common organ-specific autoimmune diseases and represent a major cause of thyroid dysfunction worldwide. Their prevalence has been increasing in both developed and developing countries, with a higher occurrence among females. Anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies are widely recognized as important biomarkers for the diagnosis and assessment of autoimmune thyroid diseases. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of thyroid hormone dysfunction and determine the frequency of anti-TPO antibody positivity in individuals with thyroid-related disorders, as well as to assess the association between anti-TPO titers and thyroid hormone parameters. Methods A prospective cross-sectional observational study was conducted between February 2025 and September 2025 in the Department of Biochemistry, Department of Laboratory Medicine, AMCH. A total of 162 individuals with suspected thyroid disorders were included. Serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), and anti-TPO antibodies were measured using chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) on the Siemens ADVIA Centaur® XP platform. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate associations between anti-TPO titers, thyroid hormone levels, age, and sex. Results Among the 162 participants, 54.3% were aged 20–39 years. Females constituted 86.4% of the study population, while males accounted for 13.6%. Hypothyroidism was identified in 47.5% of individuals and hyperthyroidism in 21.6%. Positive anti-TPO antibody titers were detected in 50% of the participants, with females representing 96% of positive cases. Anti-TPO titers showed significant associations with serum TSH (p = 0.009), serum fT3 (p = 0.037), and sex (p < 0.001). No significant association was observed with serum fT4 (p = 0.071) or age (p = 0.582). Conclusion Hypothyroidism was the most prevalent thyroid disorder, particularly among individuals aged 20–39 years, and showed a marked female predominance. The significant association between anti-TPO antibodies and thyroid hormone parameters highlights the clinical importance of anti-TPO evaluation in diagnosing and monitoring autoimmune thyroid disorders.
