Browsing by Author "Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A."

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Achievements and challenges in psychiatric education and training in Sri Lanka
(Cambridge University Press, 2023) Hapangama, A.; Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.; Hanwella, R.
ABSTRACT: When compared with other Asian countries, psychiatric education and training in Sri Lanka has made significant developments during the past two decades, such as introducing psychiatry as a separate final year subject in the undergraduate medical curricula. However, further developments in psychiatric training in medical education are needed.
Acute hospital care
(Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2002) Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.; Williams, S.S.
Comment On: Dratcu (Psychiatric Bulletin, 2002, 26, 81-82), No Abstract Available
ADHD in developing countries.
(Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2004) Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.; Wijeratne, L.T.
No Abstract Available.
The Adolscent girl
(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2003) Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.
No abstract available
Awareness and attitudes regarding electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) among patients and caregivers at a psychiatry unit in a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka
(Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists, 2020) Gunasekera, T.; Fernando, R.; Peris, M.U.P.K.; Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.; Hapangama, A.
INTRODUCTION: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a life-saving procedure in certain psychiatric conditions and is also extremely effective for treatment resistant psychiatric conditions. Despite the proven safety and efficacy there appears to be unease and stigma attached to ECT. Exploration about the awareness and attitudes regarding ECT among patients and caregivers can improve the practice of ECT. AIMS: The aim of this study was to describe awareness and attitudes about ECT among patients and their caregivers. METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out among patients and caregivers attending psychiatric facilities at a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka, using an interviewer administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Out of 221 participants, 54% were caregivers. Among the participants, 65% thought that ECT is a treatment used for psychiatric disorders. There was no significant association between educational level and awareness about ECT (p>0.05). The most common source of knowledge about ECT was doctors (43%), but 69% felt doctors have not explained about ECT prior to treatment. Cognitive issues (46%) were the most commonly feared side effect; 5% thought ECT does not have a scientific basis and 20% felt it is an inhuman mode of treatment. Of those interviewed, 38% were of the opinion that they would receive ECT if recommended. CONCLUSIONS: Doctors were the most important source of information regarding ECT and a significant proportion of the participants knew that it is used in treating psychiatric disorders. Only a minority thought ECT didn’t have a scientific basis and a considerable proportion were willing to undergo ECT if recommended. Despite popular beliefs this cohort of participants appeared to have a favourable awareness about ECT. KEYWORDS: Electroconvulsive therapy, Awareness, Attitudes, Stigma
Awareness and usage patterns of substances among pre-clinical phase students at a Medical Faculty in Sri Lanka
(Sri Lanka Medical Association., 2019) Hapangama, A.; Fernando, R.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Availability and usage patterns of psychoactive substances have changed worldwide. Knowledge about new trends of substance use is important for future generation of medical professionals to deliver appropriate treatment. Objective of the study was to determine the awareness and prevalence of substance use among pre- clinical phase medical students in a university in the Western Province, Sri Lanka. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Out of 162 students, 61.7% were female, 97.5% were between 20-25 years. 99% were aware of alcohol being a substance of abuse. 34% and 30% were not aware that heroin and cannabis were substances of abuse. Less than half of participants were aware of corex-D (44.4%), volatile substances (39.5%), and methamphetamines (32.7%). Figures for awareness about Psilocybin (9.9%), MDMA (8.6%), LSD (8%), GHB (4.3%), DXM (2.5%). Main sources of information regarding substances were peers and internet. 21% and 18 % of participants had used alcohol and betel respectively at least once while tobacco and corex-D was used among 7.4% and 6.2% respectively. 69% of substance users were male. Use of substances was significantly associated with male gender. CONCLUSION: Alarmingly majority of the participating pre-clinical phase students were not aware of the abuse potential of heroin and cannabis as well as of newer generation recreational drugs. Awareness regarding current trends and misuse potential of psychoactive substances and their consequences should be enhanced among medical students.
Awareness regarding electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) among service users at a tertiary care hospital
(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2019) Hapangama, A.; Gunasekera, T.; Pieris, M.U.P.K.; Fernando, R.; Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.
INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVES: ECT saves lives and is extremely effective in treatment resistant psychiatric conditions. Despite this there appear to be an unease and stigma attached to ECT. Exploration about the awareness regarding ECT among service users can improve the practice of ECT. Objective was to demonstrate awareness about ECT among services users at a tertiary care hospital. METHODS: Cross-sectional study carried among all consenting service users at a tertiary care Hospital in Sri Lanka using an interviewer administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Out of 221 participants, 54% were careers. 65% thought ECT is a treatment for psychiatric conditions while 58% and 19% thought ECT is used to violence in the absence of a mental illness and to punish opponents respectively. There was no-significant association between educational level and awareness about ECT (p>0.05). The commonest source of ECT was doctors (43%). Cognitive side effects (46%) and headache (59%) were the commonly feared side effects. 5% thought ECT doesn’t 't have a scientific basis-and 20% felt it is an inhuman mode of treatment. 38% felt they would receive ECT if recommended. CONCLUSION: Doctors were the commonest source of information regarding ECT and more than half of the participants knew it was used to treat a psychiatric condition. Surprisingly only a minority thought ECT didn't have scientific basis however 20% felt it was an inhumane mode of treatment. However, a considerable proportion were willing to undergo ECT if recommended. Despite popular beliefs this cohort of participants appeared to have a more favourable awareness about ECT.
Betel use and schizophrenia.
(Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2003) Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.; Williams, S.S.
Comment on: McCreadie RG, Scottish Comorbidity Study Group. (Br J Psychiatry. 2002; 181:321-5).No abstract available.
Betel-quid use and its effects on symptoms of schizophrenia and extrapyramidal symptoms among a group of patients in a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka.
(Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists, 2020) Isuru, A.; Ediriweera, D.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Embuldeniya, A.; Narammalage, H.; Warnakulasuriya, S.; Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.; Hapangama, A.
BACKGROUND: There is limited research regarding the prevalence of betel quid use and its effects on symptoms of patients with schizophrenia. Available studies suggest an association between betel chewing and positive symptoms among males with schizophrenia. AIMS: This study aimed to compare the prevalence of betel quid chewing between patients with and without mental illness, and to explore the association between betel quid use, symptoms of schizophrenia and side effects of psychotropic medication. METHODS: A cross sectional descriptive study was carried atoutpatient clinics at a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka. A structured interview schedule was administered to all participants. RESULTS: Out of 1000 participants, 20.9% chewed betel quid (95%CI: 18.4% - 23.4%). The rate of betel chewing among patients with and without a mental illness was 20.7% (95% CI: 17.0% - 24.4%) and 21.0% (95% CI: 17.6% - 24.5%) respectively and there was no significant difference between the two groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the occurrence of positive or negative symptoms and extra pyramidal side effects in patients with schizophrenia who did and did not chew betel. Female gender (p=0.004) and betel quid chewing (0.002) were associated with more anticholinergic side effects. CONCLUSIONS: There was no association between betel quid usage and the occurrence of positive or negative symptoms of schizophrenia or extra pyramidal side effects. KEYWORDS: Schizophrenia, Betel quid, Positive symptoms, Negative symptoms, Extra pyramidal side effects
Burden of mental illness and the need for better undergraduate education in psychiatry
(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2014) Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.; de Silva, N.R.
No Abstract Available
Carer burden in dementia
(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2006) Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.; Lawrence, T.S.
Comment on: Efficacy of rivastigmine on activities of daily living in Sri Lankan patients with Alzheimer disease and on improving caregiver burden: a prospective study.(Ceylon Med J. 2005; 50(3):106-9)
A Case report of child sexual abuse - important points to ponder
(Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists, 2010) Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.; Wijesinghe, C.A.
No Abstract Available
A Case series of catatonia: Lessons to learn
(Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists, 2015) Isuru, L.L.A.; Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.
Catatonia is a neuropsychiatric syndrome which is associated with a diverse range of psychiatric and medical disorders. Current nosological approach supports the view that catatonia is a separate clinical entity. We present a case series of patients with clear catatonic symptoms associated with or as a result of vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency, hyponatreamia, Systemic Lupus Erythromatosis (SLE) and viral encephalitis, highlighting the importance of being aware of medical causes of catatonia. The patients with B12 and folic acid deficiency and hyponatreamia made a dramatic recovery after correction of the underlying cause, and the patient with SLE and viral encephalitis also showed a good clinical response following appropriate treatment. Early identification of underlying cause and initiation of treatment facilitates a better outcome in patients with catatonia.
Changes in attitudes toward psychiatry with introduction of a new curriculum: experiences of a Sri Lankan medical school
(Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists, 2012) Rodrigo, A.; Wijesinghe, C.; Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.
BACKGROUND A Sri Lankan university recently changed its medical undergraduate curriculum by including a multifaceted psychiatry clerkship for final year students. Aims We investigated the effect of introducing an eightweek clinical rotation on career choice and attitudes of medical students towards psychiatry as a discipline. METHOD One hundred medical students completed the Attitudes Towards Psychiatry (ATP-30) questionnaire before and after the final year psychiatry clerkship. RESULTS This study showed favourable improvements in the ATP-30 score following exposure to the professorial clerkship. Significant increase was noted in the desire to pursue a career in psychiatry. CONCLUSION Exposure to a psychiatry clerkship in the final year could improve the attitudes of medical students towards psychiatry.
Child and youth mental health in post-war Sri Lanka
(Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2017) Chandradasa, M.; Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.
Sri Lanka's civil war and the tsunami in 2004 had enormous psychological impacts on the country's children. Tackling these issues has been difficult due to the lack of specialists in child and adolescent psychiatry. The end of the war in 2009 opened new avenues for the development of mental health services for children and youth in Sri Lanka. The year 2016 was historic in that the first board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrists assumed services in the country, after training in Australia.
Childhood adversities and subsequent mental health: its relevance to South Asia
(SAARC Psychiatric Federation, 2013) Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.
No Abstract Available
Clozapine induced severe weight loss in resistant schizophrenia managed with risperidone add-on therapy
(Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists, 2020) Chandradasa, M.; Kuruppuarachchi, C.S.; Rathnayake, L.C.; Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.
ABSTRACT: Clozapine is prescribed for resistant schizophrenia. It is usually associated with weight gain. There have been only a few reports of weight loss associated with clozapine treatment and we report two patients from Sri Lanka. The first patient lost 27% of bodyweight on clozapine while the second lost 17%. Both were clinically stable on clozapine, with marked reduction of psychotic symptoms. Adding risperidone helped to regain the lost weight in the described patients. KEYWORDS: Clozapine, Weight, Schizophrenia, Sri Lanka
Communitry psychiatry in developing countries - Sri Lanka
(Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2001) Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.; Williams, S.S.
Comment on: Farooq and Minks, (Psychiatric Bulletin, June 2001, 25, 226-227). No Abstract Available
Community based psychiatric services for Sri Lanka
(The Kandy Society of Medicine, 1994) Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.
Conflict in Sri Lanka: doctors can influence people and promote peace
(British Medical Association, 2002) Kuruppuarachchi, K.A.L.A.; Williams, S.S.
Comment on: BMJ. 2001 Nov 3;323(7320):1020. No Abstract Available