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 Adverse drug reactions in a cohort of Sri Lankan patients with non-communicable chronic diseases(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2016) Shanika, L.G.T.; Wijekoon, C.N.; Jayamanne, S.; Coombes, J.; de Silva, H.A.; Dawson, A.INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a major problem in drug utilization. The study aimed to describe the incidence and nature of ADRs in a cohort of Sri Lankan patients with non-communicable chronic diseases (NCCDs). METHOD: This prospective observational study conducted in a tertiary-care hospital recruited in-ward patients with NCCDs. All ADRs that occurred during the index hospital admission and in the 6-month period following discharge were detected by active surveillance. Details were recorded using the ADR reporting form, developed based on the publication of the Clinical Center, Pharmacy Department, National Institutes of Health. RESULTS: 715 patients were studied (females-50.3%, mean age–57.6 years). The mean number of medicines given per patient was 6.11±2.97. The most prevalent NCCDs were hypertension (48.4%; 346/715), diabetes (45.3%; 324/715) and ischemic heart disease (29.4%; 210/715). 112 patients (15.7%) experienced at least one ADR. In the 112 patients, 154 ADRs (33 during index hospital admission; 121 during 6-month period following discharge) were detected. 51.9% (80/154) of them were potentially avoidable. 47% (73/154) of ADR swere Serious Adverse Events (SAEs); 13 were life threatening, 46 caused hospitalization and 14 caused disability. The most common causes for re-hospitalization due to ADRs were hypoglycemia due to anti-diabetic drugs (17/46), bleeding due to warfarin (14/46) and hypotension due to anti-hypertensives (6/46). CONCLUSIONS: Incidence of ADRs was high in the study population. A large proportion of them were SAEs. The majority of ADRs that required re-hospitalization were caused by widely used medicines and were potentially avoidable.Item Antimicrobial susceptibility of urinary isolates and prescribing practices of empirical antimicrobials in patients with urinary tract infection in a tertiary care hospital(Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists, 2009) Wijekoon, C.N.; Dassanayake, K.M.M.P.; Perera, W.P.M.H.; Pathmeswaran, A.OBJECTIVE: Knowledge of local antimicrobial susceptibility is essential for prudent empiric therapy of urinary tract infection (DTI). We sought to describe antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in in-ward patients with UTI and compare it with prescribing practices. METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted at the Colombo North Teaching Hospital in consecutive patients with a positive urine culture between January 2007 and July 2008. Sensitivity testing was done using Joan Stokes method. RESULTS: Coliforms were the commonest (89.6%) isolates in 1206 specimens. The susceptibility was as follows; nitrofurantoin - 83.9% jgentamicin - 74.3%, coamoxiclav - 69.7%, cefalexin - 57.8%, norfloxacin - 57.7%, ciprofloxacin - 50%, cotrimoxazole-37.5%, ampicillin -23.3%. Clinical data analysed for 259 (females -67,95%,^12 years - 95.2%). 25.1% didn't receive empirical antimicrobials. Among the 194 who received an antimicrobial 52.1% received ciprofloxacin and 11.3% received nitrofurantoin. Concordance between the empirical antibiotic prescribed and the sensitivity of the isolated organism was seen only in 21.7%. In 16.5% urinary isolate was resistant to the empirical antibiotic and in 61.8% empirical antibiotic was not included in sensitivity testing. Overall, sensitivity of ciprofloxacin and nitrofurantoin was tested in 6.7% (susceptibility rate - 50%) and 94.3% (susceptibility rate - 83.9%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Coliforms were the commonest isolate irrespective of the origin, site and type of DTI. Resistance was high (£50%) to ampicillin, cotrimoxazole and ciprofloxacin. Ciprofloxacin was the most frequently prescribed empiric therapy but its sensitivity was tested in less than 10%. Despite high susceptibility rate nitrofurantoin was underutilised. There was obvious discrepancy between empirical prescribing practices and both the susceptibility pattern of isolates and sensitivity testing practices.Item Antimicrobial susceptibility and empirical prescribing practices in treating urinary tract infections(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2012) Wijekoon, C.N.; Dassanayake, K.M.M.P.; Pathmeswaran, A.INTRODUCTION: Empiric antimicrobials are recommended for urinary tract infection (UTI). Knowledge of local antimicrobial susceptibility is essential for prudent empiric therapy. Aims: To describe antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and empirical prescribing practices in adult in¬ward patients with UTI. METHODS: Data for this descriptive study was collected prospectively from consecutive adult patients with positive urine culture admitted to Colombo North Teaching Hospital. Sensitivity testing was done using Joan Stokes method. RESULTS: Among 745 patients, 441 (59.2%] were females. Mean (SD) age of the study population was 48.2 (19) years. Coliforms were the commonest (85.6%) isolates followed by Streptococcus spp., Candida spp., Staphylococcus spp., and Pseudomonas spp.. Susceptibility of bacteria to antimicrobials was as follows; nitrofurantoin- 76.8%, gentamicin- 62.7%, cefuroxime- 46.3%, co-trimoxazole- 44.1%, norfloxacin-43.6%, cefalexin- 37.6%, ciprofloxacin- 37.3%, co-amoxiclav- 20.7%, ampiciUin- 17.6%. 381(51.1%) received empirical antimicrobial therapy. 75 received more than one antimicrobial. Ciprofloxacin was the most frequently prescribed empirical antimicrobial (208/381; 54.6%). Nitrofurantoin was prescribed in only 9.2%. Concordance between the empirical antimicrobial prescribed and the sensitivity of the isolated organism was seen only in 25.7%. In 29.6%, urinary isolate was resistant to the empirical antimicrobial and in 44.7% the prescribed empirical antimicrobial was not included in sensitivity testing. CONCLUSIONS: Susceptibility was low (<50%) to the first line antimicrobials other than nitrofurantoin and gentamicin. Ciprofloxacin was the most frequently prescribed empiric therapy even though susceptibility to it was low. Despite high susceptibility nitrofurantoin was underutilized. There was obvious discrepancy between empirical prescribing practices and susceptibility pattern of isolates.Item Patterns of blood pressure in a group of Sri Lankan patients with acute stroke(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2010) Wijekoon, C.N.; de Silva, H.A.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Ranawaka, U.K.INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Both low and high blood pressures (BP) in acute phase of stroke are associated independently with poor outcome. Differences in BP patterns in acute stroke are reported in different populations, but data from developing countries are limited. We sought to describe patterns of BP in Sri Lankan patients with acute stroke. METHODS: Consecutive patients admitted to Colombo North Teaching Hospital within 7 days of stroke onset were screened for participation in an international multicentre triai on BP control in acute stroke. BP was measured with Ornron 705CP automated device. RESULTS: Among study subjects (n=596), 61.2% were males. Mean age [SD] was 64.3[12.6] years. 23% were studied within 24 hours from symptom onset, and 72.5% within 72 hours. 60.6% had pre-existing hypertension; 59.8% of them were on regular treatment. Mean [SD; range] systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBF) were 148.7[28.7; 88-248] mmHg and 83.6[14.9; 46-137] mmHg, respectively. SBP was 140-159mmHg m 27.4% and >160mmHg in 30.2%. No significant difference was noted in mean SBP and DBF with time from stroke onset. Mean SBP and DBF were respectively ISmmHg (pO.OOl) and 6mmHg (pO.OOl) higher among those with pre-existing hypertension. Mean SBP and DBF were respectively 8.8mmHg (p=0.011) and 5.2mmHg (p=0.003) higher tn haemorrhagic compared to ischaemic stroke. CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of our study population had elevated SBP in acute phase, but low BP was also noted. Mean BP values observed were lower than those described from other populations. BP was higher among those with pre-existing hypertension and haemorrhagic stroke.