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 Premorbid blood pressure control of incident transient ischaemic attacks and strokes; prevalence and determinants; Analysis of individual patient data over 10 Years(Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2017) Mettananda, C.; Li, L.; Lau, G.; Wharton, R.; Bull, L.; McCulloch, E.; Welch, S.; Mehta, Z.; Silver, L.; Rothwell, P.; Oxford Vascular StudyBACKGROUND: Uncontrolled blood pressure is the most important modifiable risk factor for strokes. AIMS AND METHODS: We determined the prevalence and determinants of blood pressure control in patients with incident transient ischaemic attacks(TIA) and strokes from 2002-2012 in a population-based cohort(Oxford Vascular Study). Controlled blood pressure(BP) was defined as having BP<140/90mmHg and was studied in different cardiovascular risk groups according to the Framingham 10-year general cardiovascular risk(CV-Risk) predicted at time of event and 10years pre-event; low(≤ 10%), moderate(11-19%) and high(≥ 20%) risk. We also studied the associations of controlled BP adjusted for age and sex. RESULTS: Among 1741 patients with incident TIA/strokes, 1051 (60.4%) had known hypertension, of which 891 (84.8%) were on anti-hypertensive treatment. However, only 698 (40.1%) of all and 306 (29.1%) of treated patients had controlled BP. On predicted 10-year CV-Risk at event, 861 (72.5%) of 1188 (77.0%) in high risk group had known hypertension, of which 758 (88.0%) were on treatment. However, only 346 (29.1%) of all in high-risk group and 190 (25.1%) of treated high risk patients had controlled BP. In contrast, 120 (88.2%) of 136 (8.8%) in low risk group had controlled BP. Risk stratification without scoring for BP showed consistent results except the number in high-risk group dropped to 863 (55.9%). Analysis with CV-risk 10years pre-event also showed similar trends. Age(adjusted OR=0.97, 95%CI=0.97-0.98, p<0.001), high CV-risk at event/10years pre-event (0.97, 0.95-0.99, p<0.013, 0.95-0.99, p=0.008), being treated for hypertension(0.43, 0.35-0.52, p<0.001), BMI≥ 30Kg/m2(0.72, 0.55-0.92, p=0.010) and high total cholesterol(0.91, 0.84-0.99, p<0.026) were negatively associated with controlled BP. However history of atrial fibrillation(1.35, 1.03-1.77, p=0.030) and physical dependency(modified-Rankin-Scale>2; 1.54, 1.15-2.06, p<0.001) were positively associated with controlled BP. CONCLUSIONS: Premorbid blood pressure control in patients with incident TIA/strokes was inadequate especially in high-risk patients. Controlling BP to targets in elderly and high CV-risk patients would be important in reducing incident TIA/strokes.Item Correlates of serum homocysteine in a Sri Lankan population(American Association For Clinical Chemistry, 2010) Chackrewarthy, S.; Wijayasinghe, Y.S.; Gunasekera, D.; Wickremasinghe, R.; Kato, N.Correlates of total serum homocysteine concentration in a Sri Lankan population BACKGROUND: Hyperhomocysteinemia, a possible risk factor for vascular disease occurs at a higher prevalence in South Asian countries. Serum homocysteine concentrations are influenced by genetic, nutritional and lifestyle factors. Correlates of total serum homocysteine concentration (tHcy) are not well characterized in the Sri Lankan population. Such information is important in developing therapeutic and preventative strategies. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the factors potentially associated with fasting levels of serum tHcy in a Sri Lankan population. METHODS: In a cross sectional study, 177 apparently healthy volunteers (91 men and 86 women) aged 38-65 years were selected from residents in an urban health administrative area. Individuals with a history of chronic disease and with any pharmacological treatment were excluded from the study. Information on diet, lifestyle factors and medical history were recorded. Anthropometric indices and blood pressure were measured according standard protocols. Fasting serum levels of tHcy, insulin, creatinine, folate and lipids were estimated using standard protocols. RESULTS: Fasting serum tHcy levels were higher in males than in females (geometric mean +/- SD, 13.75 mumol/l +/- 1.41 Vs. 9.58 mumol/l +/- 1.43, p<0.001) and were positively associated with age (r=0.204, p< 0.01) in both sexes. 32.3% of males and 10.3% of females had mild hyperhomocysteinemia (tHcy>15mumol/l). tHcy levels were significantly higher in smokers than in non-smokers (geometric mean +/- SD, 14.58 mumol/l +/- 1.44 Vs.12.71 mumol/l +/- 1.37, p<0.05) and in alcohol consumers than in non-consumers (geometric mean +/- SD, 14.53 mumol/l +/- 1.43 Vs.12.14 mumol/l +/- 1.32, p< 0.02). In males, tHcy levels were negatively related to serum insulin (r= -0.397, p<0.001) and BMI (r= -0.244, p <0.02) and positively related to serum creatinine (r=0.235, p<0.02). In females, there was a positive relationship between tHcy and systolic blood pressure (r= 0.239, p<0.02) but there was no significant correlation with serum insulin. In both sexes, serum tHcy levels strongly correlated with serum folate (r= -0.412, p<0.001). There were no significant associations between tHcy and serum lipids. Stepwise regression analysis confirmed the associations between tHcy and folate (p<0.001 in both sexes), insulin (p=0.026 in males) and creatinine (p=0.036 in males). CONCLUSION: Low intake of folate, alcohol consumption and smoking were associated with increased tHcy concentrations. Serum insulin and creatinine were independent correlates of tHcy in males, but not in females. Difference in tHcy levels between sexes may partly be attributed to differences in lean muscle mass and to a metabolic link between creatinine synthesis and homocysteine production. Insulin may regulate serum tHcy concentrations by homocysteine remethylation or by increasing homocysteine clearance.Item Incidence, prevalence and demographic and life style risk factors for obesity among urban, adult Sri Lankans: a community cohort follow-up study(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2017) Niriella, M.A.; de Silva, S.T.; Kasturiratne, A.; Kottachchi, D.; Ranasinghe, R.M.A.G.; Dassanayake, A.S.; de Silva, A.P.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Wickremasinghe, A.R.; Kato, N.; de Silva, H.J.INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVES: Obesity is a global problem. Data from the South Asian region is limited. METHODS: In a cohort follow-up study we investigated obesity among urban, adult, Sri Lankans (35-64y; selected by age-stratified random sampling from Ragama-MOH area; initial screening 2007; re-evaluation 2014). On both occasions structured interview, anthropometry, liver ultrasound, biochemical and serological tests were performed. Total body fat (TBF) and visceral fat percentage (VFP) were assessed by impedance in 2014. General-obesity (GO) was BMI>25kg/m2. Central-obesity (CO) was waist circumference (WC)>90cm males and WC>80cm females. Multinomial logistic regression was fitted to assess associations. RESULTS: In 2007 (n=2967), 614 (20.7%) were overweight [51.9%-women], 1161(39.1%) had GO [65.9%-women] and 1584(53.4%) had CO [71%-women]. Females (p<0.001), raised-TG (p<0.001), low-HDL (p<0.001), diabetes (p<0.001), hypertension (p<0.001), NAFLD (p<0.001), and low household income (p<0.001) were significantly associated with prevalent GO and CO respectively. Additionally, increased-age (p=0.05), low-educational level (p<0.001) and unhealthy eating (p<0.001) were associated with prevalent CO. Inadequate physical activity was not associated with either. 2137 (72%) attended follow-up in 2014. Of those who were initially non-obese who attended follow-up, 189/1270 (14.9%) [64% women] had developed GO (annual-incidence 2.13%) and 206/947 (21.9%) [56.3% women] had developed CO (annual incidence 3.12%) after 7 years. TBF and VFP significantly correlated with incident GO and CO (p<0.001). Female gender (OR-1.78, p<0.001; 2.81, p<0.001) and NAFLD (OR-2.93, p<0.001; OR-2.27, p<0.001) independently predicted incident GO and CO respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence and incidence of GO and CO were high in this cohort. Both incident GO and CO were strongly associated with female gender and NAFLD.Item Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome in an urban adult Sri Lankan population(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2016) Rishikesavan, V.; de Silva, A.P.; Niriella, M.A.; Mendis, W.A.S.; Ruston, S.M.; Pathmeswaran, A.; de Silva, H.J.INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The community prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) globally varies from 10 to 25%. Telephone interviews have been widely used to collect data. There is limited data on community prevalence of IBS in South Asia. Objective of the study was to determine the community prevalence of IBS and its subtypes in an urban adult Sri Lankan population. METHOD: The study was conducted in the Ragama medical officer of health (MOH) area. Householders lists of 22 Grama Niladari divisions were used for balanced random sampling. Individuals aged between 18-65 years (stratified into three groups: 18-33, 34-49, 50-65) were included. A random sample of households was selected and the person who had the closest birthday was selected from each household. A telephone interview was conducted. IBS and its subtypes [constipation predominant (IBS-C), diarrhea predominant (IBS-D), mixed (IBS-M)] were defined according to Rome III criteria. RESULTS: 504/1407(35.8%) of selected households were contactable. Of 504 persons invited to participate 500(99.2%) responded [277-females, mean (SD) age: 42.37 (13.2) years]. The overall prevalence of IBS was 18/500 (3.6%) [13-males(5.83%), 5-females(1.81%); p=0.017]. There was significant difference in prevalence among age groups for males (least among 34-49 years; p=0.024) but not for females (p=0.665). Of the males with IBS, 2(15.38%), 5(38.46%) and 6(46.15%) had IBS-D, IBS-C and IBS-M, respectively. Of the females with IBS, 2 (40%), 1(20%) and 2(40%) had IBS-D, IBS-C and IBS-M, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Using accepted criteria, the overall community prevalence of IBS was low in this population, with a significant male predominance, and IBS-M being the commonest subtype.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.Item Epidemiology of cyclical vomiting syndrome in a cohort of Sri Lankan children(The Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, 2013) Devanarayana, N.M.; Rajindrajith, S.BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is characterised by recurrent episodes of intense nausea and vomiting or unremitting retelling lasting for hours to days. Very little is known of its epidemiology in paediatric age group. The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence, clinical profile and risk factors of CVS m Sri Lankan children and adolescents. METHODS: This is a school-based cross sectional survey conducted in 8 randomly selected schools in 4 randomly selected provinces of Sri Lanka. Data were collected using a validated, self-administered questionnaire, which consisted of 3 parts; part 1 - socio-demographic data, part 2 - data on stressful and adverse life events, part 3 - Rome III questionnaire (self report form for children above 10 years) which was translated and validated for Sri Lankan children. It was administered in an examination setting and collected on the same clay. Trained research assistants were present during filling the questionnaire to verify doubts. CVS was diagnosed using Rome III criteria. RESULTS: A total of 2,163 children were recruited for the study (male 1189 (54.9%), age range LO to 16 years, mean 13.4 years, SD 1.8 years). In this study, CVS was seen in 18 (0.8%). There was no gender difference in prevalence of CVS (boys 1.0% vs. girls 0.6%, P > 0-05). A significantly higher prevalence of CVS was observed in children exposed to recent stressful life events such as being bullied at school (3.4% vs. 0.7% in not exposed), major illness in a close family member (1.9% vs. 0.6%), hospital-ization of the child for other illness (2.2% vs. 0.7%), frequent punishment by parents (3.3% vs. 0.7%) and domestic violence (2.9% vs. 0.8%). No association observed between CVS, and age, socio-economic status, family size and birth order. CONCLUSIONS; The prevalence of cyclic vomiting syndrome among Sri Lankan children and adolescents is 0.8%. This condition is more common in those exposed to emotional stress.Item Prevalence and correlates of noise induced hearing loss among traffic policemen in the city of Colombo(College of the Community Physicians of Sri Lanka, 2013) Nagodawithana, N.S.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Pannila, A.S.; Sathiakumar, N.; Wickremasinghe, A.R.INTRODUCTION: Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a high frequency sensory-neural hearing loss in subjects who are exposed to environmental noise, but this diagnosis is made only after excluding other reasons for the hearing. Traffic policemen are exposed to environmental noise due to the nature of their duty and are susceptible to develop NIHL. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and correlates of NIHL among traffic policemen in the city of Colombo. METHODS: This was a cross sectional study and traffic policemen working in the city of Colombo were selected for study. Cluster sampling method was adopted to select 350 participants. Pure tone audiometry test was performed to assess the level of NIHL. The test was performed in an audiology laboratory or in a sound treated, air-conditioned conference hall. Hearing levels of participants were classified according to a classification obtained by modifying the Clark’s classification. Correlates of NIHL were assessed using information collected using an Interviewer Administered Questionnaire (IAQ). RESULTS: Pure tone audiometry was performed on 287 policemen. High frequency hearing of, 169 participants (58.9%) was normal. Seventy nine participants (27.5%) had minor NIHL and 39 participants (13.6%) had major NIHL. In bivariate analysis 23 variables showed statistically significant association with mild and major NIHL of traffic policeman in the city of Colombo. However according to multi-variate analysis only age had statistically significant association with major NIHL with odds-ratio (OR) of 1.088 while only “duration of work as a policeman” had statistically significant association with any NIHL (major or minor) with OR of 1.007. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Prevalence of NIHL among traffic policemen working in the city of Colombo was 41.1% (95% CI=35.5%–46.9%). A third of those having NIHL had major NIHL. Traffic policemen should undergo periodic hearing assessment. The police department should explore the feasibility of reducing the number of hours per day spent on the road by traffic policemen. Traffic policemen with NIHL must be transferred to a different division immediately.Item Validation of a clinical scoring system to detect gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in epidemiological surveys(Wiley Blackwell Scientific Publications, 2006) Amarasiri, L; Pathmeswaran, A.; Ranasinghe, C.; de Silva, H.J.BACKGROUND: The prevalence of GERD is increasing worldwide. Community prevalence in Sri Lanka is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To develop a clinical score to screen for GERD in the community and assess whether a score using symptom frequency and severity correlates better to an objective measure of GERD than one using only symptom frequency. METHODS: A cross-sectional validity study carried out on 72 patients (endoscopy positive) and 75 controls (comparable in age and gender). All faced a GERD-specific interviewer-administered questionnaire assessing seven upper gastro-intestinal symptoms, each graded for frequency (4- items) and severity (5-items). Two scores were generated. Score 1: sum of frequency of symptoms and score 2: sum of products of frequency and severity of each symptom. All patients underwent 24 h pH-metry. Validity established by correlating symptom scores with 24 h pH-metry parameters. Cut-off values determined by receiver-operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: Mean scores of cases were significantly higher than controls (p < 0.001). Cut-off score for score 1 was ≥11.50 (sensitivity 91.7%, speci- ficity 82.7%, positive and negative predictive values 70.0% and 95.9%). Cut-off score for score 2 was ≥14.50 (sensitivity 94.4%, specificity 78.7%, positive and negative predictive values 66.0% and 97.0%). Both scores showed high reproducibility (intra-class correlation coefficient of score 1 = 0.95 and score 2 = 0.89). There was good correlation between symptom scores and 24-h pH parameters (Spearman rank correlation, p = 0.01), but score 2 showed a significantly better correlation. CONCLUSIONS: Our GERD questionnaire is valid, reproducible, with better correlation with an objective test when both severity and frequency of symptoms were scoredItem Incidence and risk factors for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in an urban, adult Sri Lankan population – a community cohort follow-up study(Sage Publishing, 2015) Niriella, M.; Kasturiratne, A.; de Silva, S.; Perera, R.; Subasinghe, C.; Kodisinghe, K.; Priyantha, C.; Rishikeshavan, V.; Dassanayake, A.; de Silva, A.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Kato, N.; de Silva, H.J.INTRODUCTION: We previously reported a community prevalence of 33% for NAFLD in an urban, adult Sri Lankan population. We also found a significant association between patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 3 (PNPLA3) gene rs738409 polymorphism, and susceptibility to NAFLD in the same population, after testing 10 selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a case control study. AIMS & METHODS: The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and risk factors for NAFLD in this population after seven years of follow-up. The study population consisted of 42-71-year-old adults, originally selected by age stratified random sampling from electoral lists from Ragama, Sri Lanka. The target population was screened initially in 2007 and subsequently invited back for re-evaluation in 2014. On both occasions they were assessed using a structured interview, clinical and anthropometric measurements, liver ultrasound, and biochemical and serological tests. NAFLD was diagnosed on established ultrasound criteria for fatty liver (two out of three criteria: increased echogenecity of the liver compared to kidney and spleen, obliteration of the vascular architecture of the liver and deep attenuation of the ultrasonic signal), safe alcohol consumption (Asian standards: 514 units/week for men, 57 units/week for females) and absence of hepatitis B and C markers. Non-NAFLD controls were defined as subjects who did not have any of the ultrasound criteria for NAFLD. We also performed an updated case-control study to investigate associations of selected genetic variants with incident NAFLD [SNPs: PNPLA3 (rs738409), LYPLAL1 (rs12137855), GCKR (rs780094), PPP1R3B (rs4240624) and NCAN (rs2228603), APOC3 (rs2854117 and rs2854116), ADIPOR2 (rs767870) and STAT3 (rs6503695 and rs9891119)]. RESULTS: Of the 2985 original study participants, 2155 (72.2%) (1244 women and 911 men; mean age 59.2 years [SD, 7.7]) participated in the follow-up assessment. 1322 [mean age 58.9 years (SD, 7.6), 483 (53.0%) men and 839 (67.4%) women] had NAFLD. Out of 795 [466 (58.6%) women] participants who did not have NAFLD in the original study, 365 [226 (61.9%) women, mean age 58.6 years (SD, 7.9)] had developed NAFLD after 7 years, giving an annual incidence rate 6.6%. On multivariate analysis, increased waist circumference [OR 1.96(1.30 – 2.97), p=0.001], BMI4 23 kg/m2 [OR 2.93(1.99 – 4.30), p50.001] and raised plasma triglycerides (TG) [OR 1.49(1.03 – 2.13), p=0.03] were independently predictive of incident NAFLD in this cohort, while raised BP and reduced HDL, were not. In the updated association study involving 1310 cases and 427 controls, we found borderline association with NAFLD at two of the 10 candidate loci: rs4240624 at PPP1R3B and rs738409 at PNPLA3 (one-tailed P=0.044 and 0.033, respectively). CONCLUSION: In this community cohort follow-up study in an urban, adult population in Sri Lanka, the annual incidence of NAFLD was 6.6%. Incident NAFLD was associated with features of the metabolic syndrome, and showed tendency of association at PNPLA3 and PPP1R3B gene polymorphisms. Disclosure of Interest: None declaredItem Prevalence of eosinophilic oesophagitis among adult Sri Lankan patients with refractory upper gastrointestinal symptoms: a prospective study(Wiley Blackwell Scientific Publications, 2012) Ranawaka, C.K.; de Silva, A.P.; de Alwis, R.; Waraketiya, P.R.; Jayathilake, T.M.A.H.; Niriella, M.A.; Dassanayake, A.S.; Hewavisenthi, S.J.de S.; de Silva, H.J.BACKGROUND AND AIM: Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) is increasing in the West (community prevalence 0.02–1%). It is especially prevalent among patients with refractory upper gastrointestinal (UGI) symptoms (8.8–48%). Diagnosis is important as the treatment is with corticosteroids and other immunomodulators rather than acid suppression and prokinetics. EOE has been poorly studied in Asian populations. Our aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of EoE among adult Sri Lankan patients with refractory UGI symptoms. METHODS: The study was carried out in the University Medical Unit, Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka. Over a period of one year from March 2011, consecutive, consenting patients (aged 18–70) referred for gastroduodenoscopy (OGD); with persistent UGI symptoms despite standard therapy for at least two months were recruited. Patients without significant abnormalities other than features of EoE on OGD underwent two biopsies each from the distal and mid oesophagus. Biopsies were obtained from duodenum and stomach at the same time to rule out possible eosonophilic gastroenteritis. A diagnosis of EoE was made when there were 15 or more intra-epithelial eosinophils per high-power field, according to the international guidelines. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Common refractory symptoms were dyspepsia, gastro-oesophageal refl ux and dysphagia in 74, 64, 27 respectively. Only 106 patients (M: F = 42:64 mean age 48 yrs (SD 13.3) who fulfill the criteria underwent oesophageal biopsies. Endoscopy was macroscopically normal in 98 patients and suggestive of EoE in 8; concentric mucosal rings in 2 and white exudates in 6 patients. Only 2 (1.9%) patients had histological evidence of EoE, both had symptoms of refractory dyphagia and one had compatible macroscopic endoscopic features of EoE (concentric mucosal rings). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of EoE in this Sri Lankan cohort of adult patients with refractory UGI symptoms was much lower than reported in Western series