Conference Papers
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This collection contains abstracts of conference papers, presented at local and international conferences by the staff of the Faculty of Medicine
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Item Assessing motivation to lose weight: the psychometric properties of the Sinhala version of University of Rhode Island Change Assessment (URICA) scale(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2023) Niriella, M.A.; de Silva, S.T.; Hapangama, A.; Baminiwatta, A.; Fernando, R.; Ediriweera, D.INTRODUCTION: Weight reduction through lifestyle modifications is an important component in the management of various chronic diseases. The degree of motivation to change has been shown to predict outcomes in weight reduction interventions. Thus, the availability of a validated self-report tool assessing the degree of motivation for weight management would be useful for both clinical and research purposes in Sri Lanka. OBJECTIVES: To examine the structural validity and internal consistency of the URICA for weight management in a sample of Sri Lankan adults with chronic medical conditions. METHODS: Standard procedures for cross-cultural adaptation of a questionnaire were followed in translating the 32-item URICA into Sinhala. The Sinhala version was administered to 208 patients aged 18-60 years attending outpatient clinical services for non-disabling chronic medical diseases. Psychometric testing included confirmatory factor analysis and the assessment of internal consistency (Cronbach α). RESULTS: The commonly accepted four-factor structure of URICA reflecting Prochaska and Di Clemente’s transtheoretical model (pre-contemplation, contemplation, action and maintenance) showed good model fit, after the removal of four items from the pre-contemplation subscale due to inadequate factor loadings (<0.4). In line with theory, factor correlations indicated that the pre-contemplation factor was inversely correlated with the other three factors, while the other three factors were positively correlated with one another. All four subscales showed good internal consistency (Cronbach α ranging from 0.73 to 0.89). CONCLUSIONS: The Sinhala version of a modified 28-item URICA was found to have sound psychometric properties as a measure of motivation for weight management among Sinhala-speaking adult patient.Item Assessing reversibility of liver fibrosis in patients with transfusion-dependent beta thalassaemia following intensive chelation(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2023) Padeniya, A.G.P.M.; Ediriweera, D.; Niriella, M.A.; de Silva, A.; Premawardhena, A.P.INTRODUCTION: Transfusion-related iron overload is a leading cause of hepatic fibrosis in transfusion-dependent thalassaemia (TDT). OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the reversibility of liver fibrosis with intensive chelation therapy in TDT. METHODS: Forty-five patients were included. Serum ferritin, hepatic fibrosis & steatosis (assessed by Transient Elastography), and liver iron concentration/LIC (estimated by FerriScan) were recorded at recruitment and after 2 ½ years of intensive chelation. Compliance for iron chelators was monitored and recorded as good (gc), moderate compliance (mc), and poor (pc) compliance based on the number of days the iron chelators were used. RESULTS: 22/45 (49%) were males [mean age (SD)-19 (4.78) years]. There were 23 (51%), 12 (27%), and 10 (22%) patients with gc, mc, and pc with iron chelators, respectively. The LIC decreased in 36 (80%) patients. The median LIC reduction after 2 ½ years was as follows: gc group-13.5 to 5.1 mg Fe/g dw (P=0.0002); mc group-25.5 to 17.75 mg Fe/g dw (P=0.001). In the pc group, the LIC increased by 10.4 mg Fe/g dw (P =0.058). Liver fibrosis declined in 23 (51%) patients. The liver stiffness at recruitment and after 2 ½ years was 7.6 and 7.1 kPa (P=0.08) in the gc group. In both mc and pc groups, liver fibrosis increased on follow-up [significantly worsened in the pc group (P=0.04)]. CONCLUSION: The reduction of LIC in TDT was related to compliance with chelation therapy; substantial reductions were achieved in those with gc and mc. However, only those with gc managed to arrest the fibrosis progression.Item Is splenic stiffness measurement(SSM) better than Baveno VII criteria to predict oesophageal and cardio- fundal varices in patients with compensated advanced liver cell disease (cACLD)?(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2023) de Silva, A.P.; Niriella, M.A.; Nishad, A.A.N.; Samarawickrama, V.T.; Jayasundara, H.; Ranawaka, C.K.; de Silva, S.T.; Withanage, M.; Ediriweera, D.; de Silva, H.J.INTRODUCTION: Liver and splenic stiffness measurements (LSM and SSM) using transient elastography (TE) are being increasingly used as a screening tool to predict varices. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to test the utility of Baveno-VII criteria (LSM>25kPa, LSM>20kPa with platelet count <130,000 and LSM>15kPa with platelet count <110,000) and SSM to predict oesophageal and cardio-fundal varices in a cohort of Sri Lankan patients with aALCD. METHODS: Consecutive patients with newly diagnosed Child’s class A cALCD (non-viral, BMI<30) were recruited prospectively. They underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy by an endoscopist followed by a Fibroscan by an operator who is unaware of endoscopy findings using ECHOSENS-Fibroscan-502 to measure LSM and SSM. Validity measurements of three Baveno-VII criteria and SSM values to predict oesophageal and cardio-fundal varices were calculated. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-four individuals were recruited [Mean (95%CI) age 61.4 (59.7-62.8) years, 110 males], and 106 had varices. Our results indicate that the three Baveno VII criteria had sensitivities of 61%, 63% and 42%, and specificities of 79%, 77% and 87%. SSM>30kPa alone or in combination with LSM>15kPa had sensitivity of 81&75%, specificity of 72&83%, PPV of 82&87%, NPV of 71&67% and accuracy of 78&78% consecutively to predict oesophageal and cardio-fundal varices. CONCLUSION: Baveno VII criteria had low sensitivity but high specificity to predict oesophageal and cardio-fundal varices. SSM>30kPa alone or in combination with LSM>15kPa seemed to predict oesophageal and cardio-fundal varices better.Item Validation of the World Health Organization/ International Society of Hypertension (WHO/ISH) cardiovascular risk predictions in Sri Lankans based on findings from a prospective cohort study(Ceylon College of Physicians, 2020) Thulani, U.B.; Mettananda, K.C.D.; Warnakulasuriya, D.T.D.; Peiris, T.S.G.; Kasturiratne, K.T.A.A.; Ranawaka, U.K.; Chackrewarthy, S.; Dassanayake, A.S.; Kurukulasooriya, S.A.F.; Niriella, M.A.; de Silva, S.T.; Pathmeswaran, A.P.; Kato, N.; de Silva, H.J.; Wickremasinghe, A.R.INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: There are no cardiovascular(CV)-risk prediction models specifically for Sri Lankans. Different risk prediction models not validated among Sri Lankans are being used to predict CV-risk of Sri Lankans. We validated the WHO/ISH (SEAR-B) risk prediction charts prospectively in a population-based cohort of Sri Lankans. METHOD: We selected participants between 40-64 years, by stratified random sampling of the Ragama Medical Officer of Health area in 2007 and followed them up for 10-years. Risk predictions for 10-years were calculated using WHO/ISH (SEAR-B) charts with- and without-cholesterol in 2007. We identified all new-onset cardiovascular events(CVE) from 2007-2017 by interviewing participants and perusing medical-records/death-certificates in 2017. We validated the risk predictions against observed CVEs. RESULTS: Baseline cohort consisted of 2517 participants (males 1132 (45%), mean age 53.7 (SD: 6.7 years). We observed 215 (8.6%) CVEs over 10-years. WHO/ISH (SEAR B) charts with and without-cholesterol predicted 9.3% (235/2517) and 4.2% (106/2517) to be of high CV-risk ≥20%), respectively. Risk predictions of both WHO/ISH (SEAR B) charts with- and without-cholesterol were in agreement in 2033/2517 (80.3%). Risk predictions of WHO/ISH (SEAR B) charts with and with out-cholesterol were in agreement with observed CVE percentages among all except in high risk females predicted by WHO/ISH (SEAR B) chart with-cholesterol (observed risk 15.3% (95% Cl 12.5 - 18.2%) and predicted risk 2::20%). CONCLUSIONS: WHO/ISH (SEAR B) risk charts provide good 10-year CV-risk predictions for Sri Lankans. The predictions of the two charts, with and without-cholesterol, appear to be in agreement but the chart with-cholesterol seems to be more predictive than the chart without-cholesterol. Risk charts are more predictive in males than in females. The predictive accuracy was best when stratified into two categories; low (<20%) and high (≥20%) risk.Item Incidence and Phenotype of Inflammatory Bowel Disease From 13 Countries in Asia-Pacific: Results From the Asia-Pacific Crohn's and Colitis Epidemiologic Study 2011-2013(American Gastroenterological Association(AGA) Institute, Published by Elsevier Inc., 2016) Ng, S.C.; Kaplan, G.; Banerjee, R.; Wei, Shu-Chen; Tang, Whitney; Zeng, Z.; Chen, Min-hu; Yang, H.; de Silva, H.J.; Niriella, M.A.; Ong, D.E.; Ling, Khoon-Lin; Hilmi, I; Pisespongsa, P.; Aniwan, S.; Limsrivilai, J.; Abdullah, M.; Chong, V.H.; Cao, Q.; Miao, Y.; Ong-Go, A.K.; Bell, S.; Niewiadomski, O.; Kamm, M.A.; Ng, K.K.; Yu, H.H.; Wang, Yu-Fang; Ouyang, Q.; Goh, K.L.; Lin, Hung-Hsin; Lin, Wei-Chen; Wu, K.; Simadibrata, M.; Chan, F.K.; Sung, J.Background: The Asia-Pacific Crohn's and Colitis Epidemiology Study, initiated in 2011, aimed to determine the incidence and phenotype of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Asia-Pacific. We herein present incidence and phenotype data from 2011 through 2013 for 12 countries or areas in Asia (Brunei, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand) and Australia. Methods: We performed a prospective, population-based study of IBD incidence in predefined catchment areas using a web-based database. New cases were diagnosed based on standard criteria and ascertained from multiple sources. Endoscopy, pathology, and pharmacy records were searched for completeness of case capture. Age-standardized incidence was calculated with 95% confidence interval (CI). Crude incidence in different regions within Asia was pooled together using a random effect model. Results: We identified 1,572 new IBD patients (2011-2012, n=419; 2012-2013, n=1,153; 131 from Australia) including 1,057 (67%) ulcerative colitis (UC) and 515 (33%) Crohn's disease (CD). The mean annual incidence for IBD per 100,000 was 1.68 (95% CI, 1.59-1.77) in Asia and 22.28 (95% CI, 18.48-26.71) in Australia. The three countries within Asia with the highest incidence per 100,000 was India (9.31; 95% CI, 8.38-10.31), China (Guangzhou) (3.30; 95% CI, 2.68-4.06) and Hong Kong (2.58; 95% CI, 2.20-3.03). Within five regions of China, IBD incidence varied from 0.49 to 3.30 per 100,000. Pooled incidence of UC and CD within East Asia (China, Macau, Hong Kong, Taiwan) was 1.12 (95% CI, 0.77-1.48) and 0.33 (95% CI, 0.17-0.49), respectively. Pooled incidence of UC and CD within South East Asia (Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines) was 0.38 (0.21-0.55) and 0.30 (95% CI, 0.22-0.38), respectively. Ratio of UC:CD was 2.21 in Asia and 0.64 in Australia. Median time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 3 months [interquartile range (IQR), 2-10] for UC and 7 months (IQR 2-19) for CD. Stricturing, penetrating and perianal CD at diagnosis was common (21%, 10% and 17%, respectively) in Asia. Conclusion: Robust large-scale comparative epidemiologic IBD data from newly industrialized countries are emerging. Incidence of IBD varies throughout Asia with a higher incidence in East than South-East Asia. Complicated CD at diagnosis remains prevalent in Asia. Emergence of IBD in Asia will result in the need for specific health-care resources.Item Natural history of inflammatory bowel disease in Asia: A follow-up population-based cohort study(American Gastroenterological Association(AGA) Institute, Published by Elsevier Inc., 2014) Ng, S.C.; Tang, W.; de Silva, H.J.; Niriella, M.A.; Senanayake, Y.U.; Ooi, C.J.; Ling, K-L; Ong, D.E.; Goh, K.L.; Hilmi, I.; Ouyang, Q.; Wang, Y-F.; Hu, P.; Chen, M.; Zeng, Z.; Zhu, Z.; Wu, K.; Wang, X.; Pisespongsa, P.; Manatsathit, S.; Aniwan, S.; Simadibrata, M.; Abdullah, M.; Tsang, S.; Wong, T.; Leung, V.; Lo, F.H.; Hui, A.R.; Chow, C.M.; Yu, H.H.; Li, M.F.; Ng, K.K.; Ching, J.; Sung, J.J.Y.; Chan, F.K.L.BACKGROUND AND AIM: Data on the natural history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in population-based setting in Asia are scarce. It is not clear if IBD disease course differs between Asian and Western cohorts. METHODS: In a population-based incident cohort from eight countries in Asia, we identified 259 IBD patients diagnosed between 2011 and 2013, including 158 ulcerative colitis (UC) and 101 Crohn's disease (CD) with a median follow up of 15 months (range, 12-31 months). The risk of disease extent and behaviour change according to the Montreal classification, and probability of medical or surgical therapy were prospectively assessed. RESULTS: Median age at diagnosis was 29 years (Interquartile range, IQR, 20-44) for CD, and 41 years (IQR, 30-54) for UC. At diagnosis, in CD, ileo-colonic disease (51%) and inflammatory behaviour (67%) were the most frequent phenotype. At one year, cumulative probability of behavior change from inflammatory to stricturing or penetrating disease was 18%, and cumulative rate of colectomy was 8%. In CD cumulative probabilities of receiving 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), corticosteroids, immune-suppressants and anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy were 61%, 43%, 66% and 10%, respectively, at one year. In UC, disease extent at diagnosis was evenly distributed including 31% with proctitis, 37% with left sided disease and 32% with extensive colitis. Disease extension occurred during follow-up in 19% of patients. Cumulative rate of colectomy at one year was 1%. In UC cumulative probabilities of receiving 5-ASA, corticosteroids and immunesuppressants were 91%, 28% and 13%, respectively at one year. There were two mortalities at maximal follow-up from lung carcinoma and severe sepsis. CONCLUSION: In this populationbased follow-up study, clinical presentation and early disease course in Asian IBD patients appear comparable to that of Western patients. Progression to complicated behavior and accelerated use of immunesuppressants is common in CD. Early surgical rate for UC in Asia remains low. Understanding the natural history of IBD in our population can help optimize therapeutic interventions. Reference: SC Ng, et al. Incidence and Phenotype of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Based on Results from the Asia-Pacific Crohn's and Colitis Epidemiologic Study. Gastroenterology 2013; 145(1):158-165Item Predicting acute liver failure in dengue Infection(American Gastroenterological Association(AGA) Institute, Published by Elsevier Inc., 2013) Ranawaka, C.; Niriella, M.A.; Kumarasena, R.S.; Miththinda, J.K.N.D.; de Silva, A.P.; Premaratna, R.; de Silva, H.J.BACKGROUND: Dengue infections (DI) can range from being asymptomatic to severe illness. Unusual manifestations such as encephalitis, myocarditis, and acute liver failure (ALF) have been recognized. ALF is uncommon, but has a poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of ALF in DI. METHODS: Serologically confirmed patients with DI who were admitted to hospital from January 2009 to March 2010 were included. Patients consisted of direct admissions as well as referrals, some with deranged liver functions. Data was obtained from patient records. Clinical details and serum biochemistry was evaluated for up to five days from onset of illness. ALF in DI was defined as evidence of coagulation abnormality [International normalised ratio (INR) ≥ 1.5], and any degree of mental alteration (encephalopathy) in a patient without pre-existing cirrhosis. RESULTS: Out of 240 patients [57.7% male, 42.3% female; mean age 35.6 years (SD 15.4 years)], 164 had dengue with warning signs, 27 had dengue without warning signs and 49 had severe dengue. 15/49 severe dengue patients had profound shock. Abdominal pain, persistent nausea and vomiting (PNV), bleeding, hepatomegaly and ascites were present in 125, 92, 39, 129 and 28 cases respectively. Elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum bilirubin (SB), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma glutamyl transpeptide (GGT) were observed in 208, 20, 18 and 60 patients respectively. Of the 240 patients 41 had AST .1000 IU/ml (this included 4/ 15 with profound shock). 16/41 patients with AST .1000 IU/ml, including 4 with profound shock, developed ALF while none with AST ,1000 IU/ml developed ALF. In patients with AST .1000 IU/ml, presence of 2 or 3 of elevated SB, elevated ALP or PNV predicted the development of ALF with 93.8% sensitivity, 98.7% specificity, 83.3% positive predictive value and 99% negative predictive value (Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSIONS: Dengue patients with AST,1000 IU/ml are not at risk of developing ALF. Patients with AST .1000 (regardless of presence or absence of profound shock), with 2 or 3 of elevated SB, elevated ALP or PNV seem to be at risk of developing ALF. These findings need to be validated in a larger cohort of patients.Item Is a six hour fast after a rice meal sufficient before upper gastrointestinal endoscopy?(American Gastroenterological Association(AGA) Institute, Published by Elsevier Inc., 2009) de Silva, A.P.; Niriella, M.A.; Perera, N.J.A.H.D.; Aryasingha, J.S.; Kalubowila, U.P.; Dassanayake, A.S.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Manchanayake, M.M.J.H.; Devanarayana, N.M.; de Silva, H.J.OBJECTIVE: Rice is the staple diet in many Asian countries. Current endoscopic guidelines advice a 6 h fast for solids and a 4 h fast for liquids before the procedure. However, these guidelines focus on a Western type diet. The aim of the study was to determine if a 6 h fast for rice is sufficient prior to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE). PATIENTS AND METHODS: After informed consent, 212 patients referred for UGIE, who had no alarm symptoms, were randomized into two groups in preparation for UGIE. Fasting 6 h after a rice meal (R6) or fasting 10 h after a rice meal (R10). All meals contained lentils and an egg, and were isocaloric. Endoscopic vision was graded as poor, average, or good. RESULTS: In the R10 group (n = 107) vision was poor in 2 (1.9%), average in 7 (6.5%), and good in 98 (91.6%). While in the R6 group (n = 105) vision was poor in 30 (28.6%), average in 19 (18.1%), good in 56 (53.3%). The observed difference of percentages among the two groups for endoscopic vision was significant (M-H Chi-Square for trend = 25.67; df = 1; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Fasting for 6 h after a rice based meal seems inadequate for UGIE. Fasting for 10 h significantly improves endoscopic vision. Current guidelines need to be re-evaluated for populations where rice is the staple diet.Item Is Acanthosis Nigricans a useful clinical screening test for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) in resource poor settings(Elsevier, 2009) Niriella, M.A.; Dassanayake, A.S.; Kalubowila, K.V.U.; de Silva, A.P.; Wickremasinghe, A.R.; Kato, N.; Makaya, M.; de Silva, H.J.BACKGROUND: Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is an easily detectable papillomatosis and hyperkeratosis of the skin associated with insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is widely accepted as the underlying cause of Non- Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Ultrasonography is the currently accepted tool to screen for NAFLD in the community, but is expensive and needs expertise. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether AN would be an useful screening test for NAFLD in an adult Sri Lankan population. METHODS: This study was part of a community based investigation −Ragama Health Study (RHS). The study population consisted of 35−64 year old adults, selected using stratified random sampling. Consenting adults were screened by a structured interview, clinical examination, liver ultrasound and collection of 10 ml venous blood. NAFLD was diagnosed based on established ultrasound criteria for fatty liver, safe alcohol consumption and absence of serum markers for Hepatitis B and C. AN was identified by the presence of dark, thick, velvety skin in the neck, body folds and creases. Results: 3012 subjects participated in the study. AN was present significantly more frequently among NAFLD patients than normal individuals in both males (37.9% vs. 4.8%, p <0.001) and females (39.8% vs. 5.8%,p<0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of AN for NAFLD was 37.9%, 95.2%, 78.0% for males and 39.8%, 94.2%, and 81.3% for females respectively. CONCLUSION: AN is significantly more common in NAFLD than normal individuals. Although AN has a high specificity, it is not an useful test to screen for NAFLD in the community.Item Factors affecting the clinical outcome of transarteriai chemo treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma in Sri Lankan patients(Sri lanka Medical Association, 2015) Jayatunge, D.S.P.; Siriwardana, H.D.R.C.; Niriella, M.A.; Dassanayake, A.S.; Liyanage, C.A.H.; Gunetilleke, M.B.; Upasena, A.; Sirigampola, C.; de Silva, A.P.; de Silva, H.J.INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Transarterial-chemo-embolization (TACE) is used for palliation of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We studied the tolerability of TACE in a cohort of patients with NASH and alcoholic cirrhosis related HCC. METHOD: Of 290 patients with HCC (July 2011 -December 2014), 84 underwent TACE. They were monitored for post-TACE complications: postembolization fever (PEF), nausea and vomiting (NV), abdominal pain, infection, acute hepatic decompensation (AHD) and acute kidney injury (AK1). RESULTS: 84 patients [90.5% males, 89.2% cirrhotics, 89.2% nodular HCC, median age 63(34-84) years] underwent 111 TACE sessions. All were Child class A [69.4% sessions (n=77)] or B; ascites and portal vein invasion was present in 18 (16.2%) and 15 (13.6%), respectively. 42 (38.2%) TACE procedures resulted in complications [PEF 28 (25.2 %), NV 4 (3.6%), abdominal pain 9 (8.1%), infection 7 (6.3%), AHD 13 (11.7%), AKl 3 (2.7%)]. There were no immediate post-TACE deaths. On univariate analysis elevated serum bilirubin (p=0.046) and low serum albumin (p=0.035) predicted PEF while low serum albumin (p=0.021) and low platelet counts (p=0.041) predicted AHD. In the multivariate model, factors with p<0.200 on univariate analysis and factors derived from the previous literature were considered covariates. Female gender (p=0.029, OR=1.412), ascites (p=0.030, OR = 1.212), elevated serum bilirubin (p=0.007, OR= 4.357) and large tumour size (p=O.Q36, OR=3.603) were independent risk factors for PEF. Tumour diameter >5cm (p=0.049, OR=2.410) and elevated serum bilirubin (p=0.036, OR=1.517) predicted AHD. CONCLUSION: In NASH and alcoholic cirrhosis related HCC patients pre-procedure serum bilirubin, ascites, tumour size and female gender predicted PEF post-TACE, Tumours>5cm with elevated bilirubin predicted AHD post-TACE.