Language: English Publisher: Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, New Delhi, J.L.N.C.A.H. Anusandhan Bhawan, 61-65, Institutional Area, Opp. D-Block, Janakpuri, New Delhi -110058 Place of publication: New Delhi Edition: First Year of publication: 2022 Pages: 54 Price: Rs. 629/- ISBN: 9789392544019 Email contact:email protected Introduction Prameha (disorder characterized by polyuria) is described in classical Ayurvedic texts as one of the Ashtamahagadas (eight major diseases), which are known for their chronicity, recurrence, and complex management. Prameha encompasses a wide spectrum of diseases characterized primarily by the symptom Prabhuta Avila Mutrata, which means excessive and turbid urination. The concept of Prameha Roga in Ayurveda closely parallels the modern understanding of diabetes mellitus as a multisystem metabolic disorder. Ayurveda classifies Prameha into 20 types: 10 caused by Kapha Dosha, 6 by Pitta Dosha, and 4 by Vata Dosha (the regulatory functional factors of the body).1,2 The diverse pathophysiology of the disease contributes to the challenges in diagnosing and treating it. Ayurvedic and modern diagnostic methods should complement each other, integrating both subjective assessments and objective, quantifiable markers to ensure accurate diagnosis and a comprehensive understanding of the disease. In the present context, where an evidence-based approach in medicine is needed, it becomes imperative to develop validated and standardized assessment parameters for diseases to ensure clarity and consistency in Ayurvedic diagnosis and management. This book offers a comprehensive guide to the assessment and diagnosis of Prameha Roga, as detailed in classical Ayurvedic texts, and is designed for Ayush practitioners aiming to advance their diagnostic expertise. The word Prameha itself means “Prakarshena Mehati,” that is, frequent urination and increased urine volume; hence, urinary symptoms and Mutra Pareeksha (urine examination) have been emphasized in the diagnosis and assessment of Prameha. The validity and reliability of this Ayurvedic Diagnostic tool for Prameha Roga were also studied by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS).3 Contents of the Book This book presents an effort to develop a diagnostic framework for Prameha Roga grounded in Ayurvedic diagnostic methods and is organized into three sections. The first section gives a literature review of Prameha Roga. This provides a ready reference to the classical textual references to Prameha, given in the Brihattrayis (Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashtang Sangraha) and Madhava Nidana. The section provides a literary description along with the NAMASTE Portal (National Ayush Morbidity and Standardized Terminologies Electronic Portal) coordinates. The second section includes a proforma for the diagnosis of Prameha. This section consists of two parts, Screening proforma and Prameha-specific diagnosis proforma (PSDP). The first part, viz., the screening proforma, is intended for preliminary assessment and screening of probable Prameha patients. The screening proforma is divided into the physician screening format and the patient self-administered questionnaire for Prameha screening. The second part is the PSDP, intended for the assessment of Prameha and differentiation among its 20 subtypes, once a probable diagnosis of Prameha has been established. This part includes detailed Ayurvedic assessment, Mutra Pareeksha (urine examination), Dosha Pareeksha (examination of Dosha), Dushya Pareeksha (examination of major structural components of the body and waste products formed during various stages of digestion and metabolism), Sroto-Pareeksha (examination of body channels), and Roga Pareeksha (examination of disease), for arriving at a specific Prameha diagnosis. The number of outcome variables in each proforma is listed in Table 1. The third section is the user manual for the Prameha Roga proforma. A detailed description of each assessment parameter is given in this section of the book, along with its literal translation. Everything from the selection criteria to the clinical assessment is elaborated in this section with images and flowcharts for easy comprehension. The section also explains the clinical interpretation of each symptom, its assessment in the contemporary clinical setting, and its logical inference, thereby enabling readers to gain a clearer understanding and optimal use of the proformas.Table 1: Number of outcome variables in each proformaDiscussion The book Ayurveda Based Clinical Methods for Examination of Prameha Roga represents a significant scholarly and clinical contribution to contemporary Ayurvedic practice, particularly in the domain of diagnostic standardization, Prameha. In this context, the present work addresses a long-felt need for a structured, reproducible, and clinically applicable diagnostic framework rooted in classical Ayurvedic principles, yet relevant to present-day clinical settings. A major contribution of this book lies in its systematic translation of classical textual knowledge into practical clinical tools. By compiling references, the book bridges the gap between traditional Ayurvedic nosology and modern requirements for standardized disease classification and documentation. This alignment can enhance clarity, uniformity, and interoperability in Ayurvedic clinical records, which is crucial for multicentric research, teaching, and evidence generation. The novel aspect of the book is its comprehensive, layered proforma-based approach to diagnosis. The inclusion of both a screening proforma and a detailed Prameha-specific diagnostic proforma enables stepwise clinical decision-making, from the identification of probable cases to precise subtype differentiation among the 20 varieties of Prameha. The dual screening strategy, incorporating both physician-administered and patient-administered tools, reflects an innovative attempt to improve early detection, patient participation, and feasibility across varied clinical settings. Another important aspect is the depth and breadth of Ayurvedic assessment parameters incorporated in the diagnostic proforma. The detailed evaluation of Mutra Pariksha, Doṣha, Duṣhya, Srotasa, Samprapti, Nidana, and Upadrava, taken together, ensures a comprehensive understanding of the disease process, in accordance with Ayurvedic epistemology. The emphasis on Mutra Pariksha is particularly noteworthy, as urinary characteristics are central to the very definition of Prameha. By integrating classical urine examination parameters with contemporary clinical observations, the book can enhance diagnostic precision and strengthen the relevance of traditional methods in modern practice. The user manual section further strengthens the clinical utility of the book. Detailed explanations, literal meanings of terms, logical interpretations, and the use of images and flowcharts make complex diagnostic concepts accessible and reproducible. This pedagogical clarity is especially valuable for undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as early-career practitioners, facilitating consistent application of Ayurvedic diagnostic reasoning rather than reliance on subjective judgment alone. From a research perspective, the book’s importance is underscored by its origin within CCRAS and the prior assessment of validity and reliability of the diagnostic tool. The enumeration of outcome variables across multiple domains provides a strong foundation for clinical audits, observational studies, and interventional trials in Prameha. Such structured data capture is essential for strengthening the evidence base of Ayurveda and for meaningful integration with contemporary biomedical research paradigms. Conclusion The book “Ayurveda based clinical methods for examination of Prameha Roga” stands out as a methodologically sound, clinically relevant, and conceptually authentic contribution to Ayurvedic diagnostics. Its novelty lies in operationalizing classical knowledge into standardized clinical instruments, while its importance extends to education, clinical practice, and research. By presenting uniform documentation and rational interpretation of Prameha, the book can serve the purpose of enhancing diagnostic accuracy, improve patient management, and contribute significantly to the development of evidence-based Ayurveda. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.
Meghna et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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