Browsing by Author "Obadaarachchi, L.N."

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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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    Nutrition of patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimers disease using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA)
    (Sri Lanka Medical Association., 2019) Fernando, M.G.; Silva, K.D.R.R.; de Silva, M.P.; Obadaarachchi, L.N.; Yalegama, L.L.W.C.; Dissanayake, A.S.; Williams, S.S.
    INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVES: Focus on the nutrition of patients with Alzheimer's disease is limited despite the need for optimization of overall patient health to improve well being and outcome. The objective of this study was to look at the nutrition and energy intake of patients with mild to moderate dementia. METHODS: Sixty patients with mild-to-moderate AD (Mini Mental State Examination score: 12-25; male:28; female: 32; age >65 years) were recruited from the clinics at the North Colombo Teaching Hospital, Ragama and Lanka Alzheimer's Foundation as part of the VCO-AD study, after informed consent. Baseline nutritional status was assessed by a Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) tool and dietary intake via a 24-hour dietary recall. RESULTS: The total energy intake of the study population (men: 1822±645 kcal/day, women: 1380±346 kcal/day) was lower than recommended standards. The percentage energy from fat, protein and carbohydrates (30.7±7.6%, 12.7±2.7%, and 56.8±8.7%, respectively) met recommendations. The energy intake from saturated fat (19.7±6.9%) however was higher than the recommendation. Vitamin C, D, E, folate, calcium, potassium, selenium and iodine intake (37.4±30.4 mg/day, 2.2±3.1 µg/day, 2.4±1.4 mg/day, 219±125 µ/day, 483.8±230.8 mg/day, 1853.9±590.8 mg/day, 38.1±22.7 µg/day, and 59.8±35.4 µg/day respectively) was lower than the estimated average requirements (EAR). MNA results showed that 20% were at risk of malnutrition. CONCLUSION: A higher saturated fat intake and lower vitamin intake were concerns in this population of patients with mild to moderate dementia.