Advocacy and training on "Home care" for filarial lymphoedma (FLE) patients are provided through morbidity management and disability prevention (MMDP) clinic commonly known as filariasis clinic and clinical improvement is assessed by follow-up visits. While the physicians aim at reducing the recurrent ADL (coined as ADLA in 1997) episodes, the patients expect reduction in LE volume. The objective of the present study was to know whether the MMDP clinic serves the primary expectation of the FLE patients. LE patients who attended the clinic for at least four follow-up consultations and had LE volume measurements at three points of time during the one year period of observation were considered for analysis. Clinical assessment was done for LE grading and LE volume was measured by water displacement volumetry. Sixty-three patients who fulfilled the follow up criteria were included. It was observed that the median LE volume was 914ml (IQR 269 - 1935) at first visit of the observation period which reduced to 645ml (IQR 215- 1666) and 752ml (IQR 215 - 1720) at first and second follow-up visits respectively. Over all, in short span of one year, 21 of the 63 patients (33.3%) who visited MMDP clinic at least four times in a year were benefitted through the MMDP advocacy and the National filariasis control programme need to emphasise on the importance of follow up visits to FLE patients.
The study examined various properties of synthesized copolyesters PESC and PPSC. Inherent viscosities of the copolyesters, measured in 1,4-dioxane at 32 °C, were 0.65 dL/g for PESC and 0.73 dL/g for PPSC. Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) revealed distinct absorption bands associated with ester carbonyl stretching, C-H bending vibration, C-H group symmetry stretching, and C-O stretching vibrations. 1H and 13C Nuclear magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy were used to identify specific protons and carbon groups in the polymer chain, revealing the molecular structure of the copolyesters. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) identified the glass transition, melting, and decomposition temperatures for both copolyesters, indicating variations in the crystalline nature of the copolymers. XRD Spectral studies further elaborated on the crystalline nature, indicating that PPSC is less amorphous than PESC. Biodegradation analysis showed that PESC degrades more quickly than PPSC, with degradation decreasing as the number of methylene groups increase. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images depicted the surface morphology of the copolyesters before and after degradation, revealing a more roughened surface with pits post-degradation. These findings provide comprehensive insights into the structural and degradable properties of PESC and PPSC copolyesters.