VARIATION IN DHATUSARA ACROSS CLASSICAL VAYA (AGE) GROUPS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYTICAL STUDY USING A STANDARDIZED DIGITAL ASSESSMENT TOOL

Abstract

Background: According to Ayurveda, Bala (strength), health, resistance to disease, and longevity are all significantly influenced by Dhatusara, which symbolizes the qualitative quality of body tissues. Baalya, Madhyama, and Vriddha Avastha are the three stages of Vaya (age) where increasing age-related changes in tissue quality are described in traditional Ayurvedic literature. However, quantitative evidence supporting these concepts remains limited. Objective: To assess age-related variations in Dhatusara across the three classical Vaya groups using the AyuSoft digital assessment module and to examine the relationship between advancing age and individual Dhatusara parameters. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 150 apparently healthy individuals selected from Ch. Brahm Prakash Ayurveda Charak Sansthan, New Delhi, and nearby communities. According to the traditional Ayurvedic age classification, participants were divided evenly into three groups: Group A (Baalya Avastha, 18–30 years), Group B (Madhyama Avastha, 30–60 years), and Group C (Vriddha Avastha, >60 years). Each group consisted of 50 people. The Center for Development of Advanced Computing's (C-DAC) standardized AyuSoft module was used to evaluate Dhatusara. Results: The mean Sapta-Dhatu Sara score decreased significantly as people aged, from 35.79 ± 5.24% in Group A to 33.26 ± 5.83% in Group B and 29.88 ± 8.95% in Group C (p = 0.0021). Rakta Sara (p < 0.001), Mamsa Sara (p = 0.0018), Meda Sara (p = 0.0027), Shukra Sara (p = 0.0013), Majja Sara (p = 0.0493), Sattva Sara (p = 0.0273), and Sarva Sara (p < 0.001) all showed significant age-related decreases. The highest negative correlation with age was seen in Rakta Sara (Spearman's ρ = –0.404, p < 0.001). Rasa Sara and Asthi Sara did not differ significantly. Conclusion: The study offers quantitative proof for the traditional Ayurvedic theory of Dhatusara's age-related decline. Rakta Sara emerged as the most sensitive indicator of age-related alterations, and advancing Vaya was associated with a steady decline in overall tissue quality. The results validate the usefulness of digital Dhatusara assessment in preventive healthcare and Ayurvedic clinical evaluation.