Browsing by Author "Kapugama, K.G.C.L."

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    Audit on monitoring of metabolic parameters in patients treated with antipsychotics
    (Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2014) Kapugama, K.G.C.L.; Williams, S.S.
    INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To determine if the unit guidelines regarding baseline monitoring of metabolic parameters, were adhered to in patients at University Psychiatry Unit, North Colombo Teaching Hospital, Ragama. METHODS: A clinical audit was conducted on all in-patients newly commenced on antipsychotics over a period of 12 months. Data was gathered by retrospectively reviewing bed head tickets. RESULTS: Total sample was 71 (34 males, 47.88%). Diagnoses included schizophrenia (21, 29.57%), severe depression (19, 26.76%), manic episode (14, 19.71%), acute and transient psychotic disorder (6, 8.45%), dementia (5, 7.04%) and others (6, 8.45%). Blood pressure was recorded in 56 (78.87%); weight in 17 (23.94%); FBC was monitored in 53 (74.64%); FBS in 50 (70.42%); serum cholesterol in 13 (18.30%); AST/ALT in 42 (59.15%); electrolytes in 45 (63.38%); blood urea in 32 (45.07%); 31 (43.66%) patients had ECG. Height, BMI and waist circumference were not recorded in any of the BHTs. CONCLUSIONS: Baseline metabolic screening of weight, height, BMI, waist circumference, serum cholesterol blood urea and ECG is inadequate. Adherence to unit guidelines is satisfactory in monitoring of FBC, FBS, electrolytes and AST/ALT.
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    Depression presenting with genital symptoms – a series of unusual case histories
    (Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists, 2016) Kapugama, K.G.C.L.; Obadaarachchi, L.N.; Ruwanpriya, B.V.S.; Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.
    Interpretation and conceptualisation of depressive symptoms is influenced by cultural factors across the globe. Somatisation is common in eastern cultures. Many people in the Indian subcontinent are unduly concerned about genital symptoms and secretions, which are more evident when they are depressed. We present a case series of depressed patients to emphasise this important area. Our first patient was extremely distressed about her unusual vaginal sensations, which appeared when she was depressed, whereas our third patient, with recurrent depressive disorder, was tormented with the belief of having contracted a sexually transmitted disease, since he experienced unusual urethral sensations whenever he was depressed. The second patient in the case series, again with recurrent depressive disorder, had symptoms resembling Koro; however his symptoms disappeared with remission and recurred with relapses. Awareness of unusual presentations of depression would help to minimise any confusion regarding diagnosis and management.
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    “Muddling by googling” – Cyberchondria among outpatient attendees of two hospitals in Sri Lanka
    (Sri Lanka Journal of Psychiatry, 2019) Wijesinghe, C.A.; Liyanage, U.L.N.S.; Kapugama, K.G.C.L.; Warsapperuma, W.A.N.P.; Williams, S.S.; Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.; Rodrigo, A.
    BACKGROUND: The internet is widely used as a source of health information, and the negative effects of this practice is well documented. Cyberchondria, the unfounded escalation of concerns about common symptoms based on review of online information has been identified as a major concern. This area has not been studied in Sri Lanka. AIMS: We studied the prevalence, nature and effects of cyberchondria among outpatients in Sri Lanka. METHODS: Data was gathered from 300 outpatients, 150 patients each attending a government and private hospital in Western province using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Out of 300 participants 178 were female and the average age was 42 years. Only 24% of the participants used the internet as an information source on health related issues. The prevalence of cyberchondria was 16.3% in our study population. Cyberchondria was significantly more common among outpatients of the private hospital. A majority of patients who made a self-diagnosis using online information had made an incorrect diagnosis. One third of internet users felt anxious after searching about their symptoms and 34% sought further medical advice following internet use. CONCLUSIONS: The possible negative effects of online health information is a concern in Sri Lanka. Further studies and public education regarding this area in Sri Lanka are required.
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    Unusual presentations of reflex epilepsy in psychiatric practice: A case series
    (SAARC Psychiatric Federation, 2015) Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.; Kapugama, K.G.C.L.; Wijesinghe, C.A.
    No abstract available