Case-Control study to assess the role of Samyoga Viruddha Ahara Kitibha Kushta

Skin diseases are one among the most common of all human health afflictions and affect almost 900 million people in the World1.  Kitibha kushta is one among the kshudra kushta as per Charaka 2 and Sushruta3 affecting the Tridosha, Rasa, Rakta, Mamsa and Lasika, characterized by Shyava Varna, Kinakhara Sparsha, Parushya4, Ruksha Pidaka  and Ati-ugra Kandu5. From contemparary science Kitibha Kushta is analogous to psoriasis. Psoriasis is an immune mediated diseases associated with comorbidities6, 1.3% - 34.7% of individuals with psoriasis develop chronic, inflammatory psoriatic arthritis leading to joint deformity and disability 7. The prevalence of this disease is increasing day by day, at present the prevalence of psoriasis in India varies between 0.44% - 2.8% 8.According to global psoriasis atlas (GPA) an estimated 3.59 million people in India and 125 million people Worldwide are affected by psoriasis 9. As per WHO the reported prevalence of psoriasis in countries ranges between 0.9% 10 -11.3%11and is considered the psoriasis as a global burden. Patients with this disease are more prone to face physical, emotional and socio-economical stigma in the society and have a significantly higher suicidal ideation12.

Ahara, Nidra and Brahmacharya are described as Traya-Upastambas in Ayurveda 13. Ahara has been given more importance and considered as eminent factor1. Viruddha Ahara is unwholesome diet, that vitiates the Dosha and Rasadi Dhatus15. It is one of the potent causative factor for many mild tochronic diseases including Kushta16. Samyoga Viruddha Ahara is one among them17, which is a combination incompatibility of food. This Samyoga may be between two or more food substances18.When a person consumes diet which is Samyoga Viruddha, then it provokes the Doshas after very short time period where as other types of Viruddha Aharas require long period of Abhyasa to aggravate the Doshas19. Food- food interaction is a serious issue requiring much attention to prevent its possible harmful effects 20. In present study an attempt will be made to assess the role of Samyoga Viruddha Ahara in Kitibha Kushta.