A cross-sectional study to assess Theraiyar vaai neer paritchai (Saliva examinations) among patients with Fever and Thrombocytopenia (Pitha suram) in selected hospitals

Sage Theraiyar has explained eight types of diagnostic methods in his text, which is called -Envagai Thervul (Eight folded examination). It consists of the examination of Naadi (Pulse), Sparisam (Touch), Naa (Tongue), Niram (Colour), Mozhi (Voice), Vizhi (Eyes), Malam (Feces), and          Neer (Urine). Manikadainool (Measuring Wrist circumference), Maruthuva Jothidam, Pancha patchi has also fall under Siddha diagnostic methodology.In Envagai thervugal Naa Paritchai is one among them included with Vaai Neer Paritchai by sage Theraiyar.

Saliva as a fluid for diagnostic purposes would be a huge breakthrough for both patients and healthcare providers since saliva collection is easy, non-invasive and inexpensive. Pitha suram  falls under Than Vazhi Suram. As per T.V SAMBASIVAM PILLAI dictionary, PITHA SURAM  [2] is denoted as a virulent fever cause by excitement of bile humour. So, Fever with thrombocytopenia is considered as  PITHA SURAM.By reviewing the fever with thrombocytopenia like Google Scholar, etc., Siddha diagnostic tools like an observation of Siddha diagnostic parameter, Saliva examination in fever with thrombocytopenia [5] and there are no research articles published in indexed journals regarding a study on the diagnostic methodology in fever with thrombocytopenia in Siddha as much. So, with the aim to establish the diagnostic methods (vaai neer paritchai) for the above disease based on the Siddha concept in mind, selected the disease fever with thrombocytopenia and aims to shed light on the unforeseen prospects of improving the diagnostic methods in the detection of fever with thrombocytopenia**.**

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the Salivary examination in Theraiyar Vaai Neer Paritchai mentioned in Siddha literature for fever with thrombocytopenia (Pitha Suram)

METHODOLOGY:

This is a cross sectional observational study among the fever with thrombocytopenia patients which will be carried out 18 months period with the sample size of 82 patients in Tamilnadu.

·   Participants will be asked to collect approximately 15 mL of saliva by passive drooling method over a span of 10 minutes, into a plastic vial. The goal for saliva collection included diminishing the amount of air bubbles trapped within the saliva, by collecting the saliva very carefully, slowly, and with as little movement as possible. Foam-like saliva that is saturated with small air bubbles were not included in the overall 15 mL amount of passive saliva collected.

·    Salivary pH was measured using a calibrated pH meter and salivary viscosity were determined by viscometer as per standard protocol.

·    Patient’s symptoms, Envagai thervu findings, and manikadai nool will be documented in the CRF. The result will be described through descriptive statistics.

OUTCOME OF STUDY:

·       Association between Salivary findings and fever with thrombocytopenia will be determined.

·       Specific Viscosity of the saliva in fever with thrombocytopenia will be documented.