Abstract

CLINICAL EVALUATION OF MIZAJ (TEMPERAMENT) IN THE PATIENTS OF PRURITUS VULVAE (HIKKATUL FARJ)

Saba Tarannum*, Syeda Aamena Naaz and Suboohi Mustafa

ABSTRACT

Background: The concept of Mizaj (Temperament) is unique to Unani system of Medicine, and the whole system is based on the fundamentals of Mizaj. A person‟s temperament directly influences the state of health and inclination towards illnesses. Unani physicians have classified the mizaj of an individual into four types, namely Damvi (sanguine), Balghami (phlegmatic), Safravi (bilious), and Saudavi (melancholic). Mizaj plays an essential role in assisting specific treatment to the patients of any disease. Pruritus vulvae is one of the commonest and most prevalent diseases among females affecting a wide age range. It is a complicated disease of multifactorial origin, frequently affecting the patient‟s quality of life. We still have the assumption that until now, these specific female itch entities are still underdiagnosed and undertreated and lead to complications such as pelvic inflammatory diseases, endometriosis, infertility, urethral syndrome, ectopic pregnancy, pregnancy loss, and preterm labor. It is, therefore, necessary to recognize them early and to treat them appropriately. The treatment of patients of pruritus vulvae with vaginal discharge is particularly challenging and often requires a multimodal strategy with an interdisciplinary approach. Objectives: To assess the temperament (Mizaj) of patients of Pruritus vulvae. The consideration of this study could prevent and treat Pruritus vulvae based on the classical theory of temperament (Mizaj). Material & Methods: This study was carried out in the Department of Amraz-e-Niswan Wa Atfal, AKTC, Aligarh. It was conducted on the patients of Pruritus vulvae with vaginal discharge. Temperament (Mizaj) of the subjects was assessed by a standard questionnaire of temperament based on “Ajnas-e-Ashra” as described in the classical Unani literature. Results: 80 subjects were enrolled in the study. The highest number of subjects was of Safravi mizaj (bilious temperament) (n=43) followed by Damvi (sanguine temperament) (n=22). Balghami mizaj (phlegmatic temperament) (n=13), and 2 patients of Saudavi (melancholic temperament) were found. Conclusion: It can be concluded that patients with Safravi mizaj (bilious temperament) are more prone to develop pruritus vulvae.

Keywords: Pruritus vulvae, Hikkatul farj, mizaj, temperament, Unani.