Conference Papers
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/6561
This collection contains abstracts of conference papers, presented at local and international conferences by the staff of the Faculty of Medicine
Browse
3 results
Search Results
Item The role of reflux in the genesis of respiratory symptoms in a cohort of adult asthmatics in Sri Lanka(Wiley-Blackwell, 2010) Amarasiri, L.; Ranasinha, C.D.; Pathmeswaran, A.; de Silva, H.J.INTRODUCTION: The oesophagus and airways have a common origin. Reflux related respiratory symptoms may be triggered by aspiration of gastric refluxate into airways or a vagally mediated oesophago-tracheo-bronchial. This association has not been reported previously in Sri Lanka. The aim of this study was to describe the association between gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) events and respiratory symptoms in a cohort of adult asthmatics in Sri Lanka. METHODS: Thirty stable, mild asthmatics (American Thoracic Society criteria) underwent dual-sensor ambulatory oesophageal pH monitoring. Respiratory symptoms (cough, wheeze, difficult breathing, chest tightness) during monitoring were recorded and correlated with reflux events. RESULTS: Both proximal and distal GOR parameters were significantly higher in asthmatics than controls (P < 0.050; Mann–Whitney U-test). However, there was no difference in any parameter between asthmatics with and without respiratory symptoms. Abnormal proximal acid reflux was documented in 66.7% and distal reflux in 73.3% of 30 asthmatics. Of 102 respiratory symptoms in all asthmatics, majority (72%) were cough episodes. In total, 93% of coughs, 81% of wheeze and all of chest tightness was reflux-associated, where in most, reflux events preceded respiratory symptoms. Of 15 asthmatics with respiratory symptoms, acid exposure was normal in 4 (26%), abnormally high in proximal oesophagus in 9 (60%) and abnormally high in the distal oesophagus in 11 (73%) and abnormal at both levels in 8 (53%). Most reflux events in asthmatics occurred in the upright position. CONCLUSION: Asthmatics have more GOR and associated respiratory symptoms than non-asthmatic volunteers, with reflux episodes preceding respiratory symptoms in most cases. Distal GOR and upright acid exposure was more prominent than proximal GOR.Item Factors affecting the compliance of SLMA asthma prophylactic guidelines in children(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2001) Karunasekera, K.A.W.; Perera, K.P.J.INTRODUCTION: Guidelines to use prophylactic drugs in childhood asthma were laid down by SLMA in 1995. Yet a fair number of children we come across in clinical practice are not on prophylactic agents, though they are indicated. OBJECTIVE: To determine the compliance with SLMA asthm a prophylactic guidelines among patients admitted with asthma and to determine the socio-demographic factors affecting compliance. METHODS: All consecutive admissions to the university paediatric unit, Ragama Hospital between January 1996 and February 1998 with asthma (356) were included. Children admitted several times during the study period were included only on the 1st admission. Diagnosis of asthma was made clinically by-a consultant paediatrician. Details regarding frequency of asthma, severity, sleep disturbances, number of admissions to hospital, school absenteeism and use of prophylactic agents were obtained together with socio-demographic data. Chi-squared test was used as the statistical test. RESULTS: Only 18.2% of 251 children for whom asthma prophylactics were indicated were using prophylactic agents. 67.3% had one indication, 28.3% had two and 3.98% had three indications to use prophylaxis. Older age, male sex and monthly income of more than Rs.lO,000/= were found as significant factors for adhering to SLMA guidelines for asthma prophylaxis (p<0.05). Parental education and occupation did not show any significant association with the use of prophylaxis (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Among the children in this study, boys older children and children from households with a monthly income over Rs. 10,0007= were more likely to use prophylactics.Item Prevalence of asthma and atopy among primary school children(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2001) Karunasekera, K.A.W.; Perera, K.P.J.INTRODUCTION : Prevalence of asthma and atopy among school children in Sri Lanka is not known. Objectives : To estimate prevalence of asthma and atopy in children between 5-11 years and to determine the influence of sex and age on the prevalence of asthma. METHODS: A total of 2043 children between 5-11 years of 3 mixed schools in Gampaha district were screened for symptoms of asthma and atopy using a questionnaire in August 1998. Diagnosis of asthma was based on the presence of 3 symptoms of the following 5 in the preceding 12 months; cough at night, breathlessness, wheezing, persistent cough more than a week after common cold and cough and/or chest tightness during or after playing. Chi squared test and Chi squared test for trend were used for analysis. RESULTS: Prevalence of asthma symptoms were cough at night 22.1%, breathiessness 17.2%, wheezing 22.6%, persistent cough after common cold 29.9% and cough or chest tightness with playing 11%. Prevalence of asthma based on questionnaire was 17.1 %, allergic rhinitis 10% and eczema 2.5%. The prevalence of asthma in males was not significantly different from that of females (p=0.4). There was a decreasing trend of the prevalence of asthma with increasing age. This trend was significant in girls (p= 0.01) but not in boys. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly one fifth of primary school children suffer from asthma and 10% have allergic rhinitis. There was no significant gender difference in Jhe prevalence of asthma in primary school children. There was a decreasing trend of the prevalence of asthma with increasing age in girls but not in boys.