Browsing by Author "Premathilaka, L.H.R.A."

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Pseudo polycythaemia and its association with cardio-metabolic risk factors: A preliminary descriptive analysis from a tertiary care hospital
(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2018) de Silva, S.T.; Amarasena, P.; Dias, M.A.D.H.; Lakmini, K.M.S.; Premathilaka, L.H.R.A.; Ranatunga, R.J.K.L.D.; Moratuwegama, H.M.D.; Siriwardana, S.R.; Niriella, M.A.; Premawardhena, A.P.
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Polycythaemia is the result of either an actual increase in red cell mass (true) or relative reduction in plasma volume (spurious). Spurious or pseudo-polycythaemia (PP) is a poorly-researched entity with unexplained increase in mortality noted in previous studies. We aimed to characterize PP and determine an association between PP and metabolic syndrome (MS) in a Sri Lankan clinic-based population. METHODS: Consecutive, consenting adults > 18 years, with two consecutive haemoglobin levels> l 6.5mg/dL and > 16mg/dL and/or PCV >49% and >48% in men and women respectively, with non-tourniquet samples taken few days apart in a well-hydrated state, were recruited from clinics of University Medical Unit, Colombo North Teaching Hospital and from the private sector. Interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to gather data.RESULTS: 46 participants were recruited: 3 (6.5%) had primary polycythemia, 5 (10.9%) had secondary polycythemia due to identifiable causes. 38 (82.6%) patients had PP [mean age 42.2 (SD=l5.2) years and 36 (94.7%) were males]. Of these 14 (36.8%) had diabetes, 22 (57.9%) had hypertension, 25 (65.8%) had hyperlipidemia and 25 (65.8%) were obese. 19 (50%) had fatty liver, 23 (60.5%) were light smokers, 8 (21.1%) consumed alcohol beyond safe limits, 6 (15.8%) had increased neck circumference, 1 (2.6%) had ischemic heart disease, 2 (5.3%) had chronic kidney disease and 2 (5.3%) had hyperuricaemia. Comparison of PP and secondary polycythemia with regard to prevalent components of MS was not possible due to small numbers.CONCLUSION: Components of MS were prevalent among those with PP. The significance of this finding remains unexplained. This needs to be replicated in a larger sample to establish whether these are independent risk factors for the development of PP.
Retrospective analysis of Pyrexia of Unknown Origin (PUO) among adult patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Sri Lanka
(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2021) Premathilaka, L.H.R.A.; Darshana, L.G.T.; Liyanage, I.K.; Nishshanka, N.A.S.; Gamage, M.P.; Gunasena, J.B.; Sajeethan, P.; Mendis, B.M.I.U.; Shashiprabha, W.M.M.; Tilakaratna, P.M.Y.I.; Premawardhena, A.P.
Introduction and Objectives Pyrexia of “unknown origin” remains a clinical entity universally despite advances in diagnostic technologies. There are few if any systematic studies on PUO conducted in Sri Lanka. We retrospectively analysed data of patients with PUO from a tertiary care hospital. Methods Records of PUO patients admitted to Colombo North (Teaching) Hospital during the period of January 2015 – January 2020 were extracted from the archives. Details of etiology, diagnosis and usage of medication of each patient was recorded. Results A total of 100 PUO patients were recruited. Majority were males (n=55;54.5%). Median ages of male and female patients were 53.0 and 50.0 years respectively. A final diagnosis had been reached in the majority (n=65;65%). Mean number of days of hospital stay was 15.16 (SD; 7.81). Median of the total number of fever days among PUO patients was 30.5. Out of 65 patients whose etiology were identified, the majority were diagnosed with an infection (n = 47; 72.31%) followed by noninfectious inflammatory conditions (n=13; 20.0%) and malignancies (n=5; 7.7%). Tuberculosis was the commonest infection detected (n=15; 31.9%). Mean number of days taken to reach the final diagnosis was 11.57 (SD: 11.42). Contrast enhanced CT scan (CECT) pelvis/abdomen (n = 15; 23.1%) was the commonest investigation leading to the final diagnosis. Antibiotics had been prescribed for the majority of the PUO patients (n=90; 90%). Conclusion Infections, mainly tuberculous, was the commonest cause for PUO while a third of patients remained undiagnosed despite a prolonged hospital stay.
Stroke in sickle cell beta thalassemia - a case report highlighting pitfalls in management in a low prevalence country
(Kandy Society of Medicine, 2017) Premathilaka, L.H.R.A.; Lakmini, M.S.; Thamal Dharshana, L.G.; Nawaratne, S.B.; Mettananda, S.; de Silva, S.T.; Premawardhena, A.P.
Stroke in Sickle cell disease is a devastating complication. As Sickle cell disease is uncommon in Sri Lanka many clinicians may be unfamiliar with management of the disease and its complications. A 10-year-old boy presented with a transient ischaemic attack. He has had a silent large parietal infarct previously. He had been managed with transfusions and had undergone a splenectomy. However, he had not received hydroxyurea or undergone trans-cranial Doppler assessment.