CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY TO IDENTIFY THE COMMONLY OCCURRING DIS-EASES IN DIFFERENT ROGAMARGA

Rogamarga is a unique speciality of Ayurveda, meaning the pathway of disease. This cross-sectional study examined the distribution of diseases across the three Ayurvedic pathways of disease progression —Rogamarga—Shakha (external), Abhyantara (internal), and Madhyama (middle)—among 100 OPD patients. The results showed that Abhyantara disorders were the most common (38%), closely followed by Madhyama disorders (36%), with both patterns strongly influenced by patient age. Internal pathway disorders, particularly involving the gastrointestinal tract, were most frequent among younger adults (21–30 years), where conditions such as Amlapitta (acidity) and Ajirna (indigestion) reflected the impact of modern lifestyles and ir-regular dietary habits. In contrast, diseases of the Madhyama pathway, which involve the bones and joints, were more commonly seen in individuals aged 31–50 years. This aligns with the Ayurvedic understanding of Vata predominance and natural tissue depletion (Dhatu Kshaya) that occurs during this stage of life, leading to conditions such as Sandhigatavata (joint disorders). Although less frequent, Shakhagata diseases were observed across various age groups. A noteworthy finding was that Arsha (haemorrhoids) was observed to span both the Abhyantara and Shakhagata pathways, underscoring the intercon-nected nature of the body's systems. Overall, the study highlights the continued clinical relevance of the Roga-marga framework, demonstrating its ability to explain age- and lifestyle-related patterns of disease holistically.