Dr. Ayush Mahajan, currently working as an intern at the Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), has been awarded the first prize for his research work at a competition ‘STEREOPSIS’ held at AIIMS Bhubaneswar on October 7. STEREOPSIS is part of WISSEN – which is eastern India’s largest undergraduate workshop.
In the competition Ayush presented his research work titled “Neuropathic Pain is Higher in Patients with Primary Osteoarthritis than in those with Rheumatoid Arthritis” in front of an eminent panel of jury and had to defend it through a round of questions. The marks were awarded based on clarity and structure of presentation, depth of understanding of the subject, depth of understanding of research methodology, quality of visual aids, and ability to answer questions.
Ayush’s work was carried out in the Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology where he screened around 150 patients with different forms of arthritis. The results of his work showed that patients with osteoarthritis are much more likely to have neurogenic pain as opposed to somatic pain. Thus, they need to be treated differently to manage their symptoms adequately.
Dr. Sakir Ahmed, Associate Professor of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, who had guided Ayush in his research, said “Ayush has been an exemplary student and his hard work in regularly recruiting patients for the study has paved the way for his success. We wish him the best in life and more.”