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 A retrospective analysis of the prevalence of heart disease in pregnancy – a Sri Lankan experience(Wiley-Blackwell, 2015) Motha, C.; Palihawadana, T.; Dias, T.; Thulya, S.D.; Godage, T.INTRODUCTION: With improvement in obstetric care, the burden due to direct causes of maternal mortality has declined bringing medical conditions to the forefront. Heart disease in pregnancy remains a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in Sri Lanka. In the absence of a robust pre-conception care programme, many women with pre-existing heart disease embark on pregnancy unaware of the underlying abnormalities. This study was aimed at describing the proportion of women with heart disease, the type of heart disease and the time of detection in this population. METHODS: The North Colombo Obstetric database (NORCOD) records data for all women who deliver at the university obstetric unit of the North Colombo Teaching hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka. Details of women delivered between March and August 2014 were used in a retrospective analysis. Data on booking screening, and pregnancy care with regard to heart disease were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 1830 pregnancies were included. Fifty (2.7%) were complicated with heart disease. 15 (0.8%) patients were known to have pre-existing heart disease at the time of booking. They included 10 with congenital heart disease (treated ASD in 3, untreated ASD in 1, untreated VSD in 1, ligated PDA in 1 and mitral valve disease in 4) and 5 acquired heart disease due to rheumatic heart disease. A cardiac murmur on auscultation was detected in 61 women (3.3%) at their booking screening. 26 (42.6%) of them were found to have an underlying cardiac lesion. The commonest lesion was isolated mitral valve prolapse (n = 11), followed by mitral regurgitation associated with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) in 10, tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in 3, and one each of ASD and VSD. Nine others were found to have underlying cardiac lesion at assessment during pregnancy, in the absence of any abnormality at booking. These included 6 with MVP, 2 with mitral regurgitation (MR) with MVP, and one with MR. CONCLUSION A significant proportion of women with cardiac abnormalities (70%) were detected during pregnancy. This highlights the importance of pre-conception care with screening in this population. While booking screen was able to identify a majority of patients, some were detected only during subsequent assessment. Clinical vigilance throughout pregnancy facilitates such detection.Item Diabetes mellitus in pregnancy – a Sri Lankan experience(Wiley-Blackwell, 2015) Dias, T.; Palihawadana, T.; Motha, C.; Thulya, S.D.INTRODUCTION Diabetes mellitus in pregnancy carries high perinatal morbidity/mortality and maternal morbidity. Only a proportion of women would have pre-existing diabetes mellitus with the majority developing gestational diabetes (GDM). The burden of diabetes in pregnancy is expected to increase in Sri Lanka as obesity is high among pregnant population. Aims of this study were to look at the prevalence, risk factors and complications of diabetes in pregnancy. METHODS The North Colombo Obstetric database (NORCOD), which records pregnancy data of all women delivering at the university obstetric unit of the North Colombo Teaching hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka, was used for retrospectively analysis. 1830 deliveries between March and August 2014 were included. Those with incomplete data were excluded. Details regard to prevalence, associated risk factors and complications were identified. RESULTS: Diabetes mellitus complicated 130 (7.1%) pregnancies. This consisted of 26 with pre-existing disease and 104 with GDM. A positive family history in first degree relative (OR 7.87, 95% CI 5.08–12.1), and a BMI of >23 kg/m2 (OR 2.68 95% CI 1.75–4.11) were associated with development of GDM. The mean (SD) age was significantly higher among women who developed GDM compared to those did not (32.1 (4.76) versus 28.7 years (4.7), P = 0.03 respectively). The mean (SD) postprandial blood sugar (PPBS) estimate done in the first half of the pregnancy was significantly higher among women who developed GDM later in pregnancy compared to those who did not (120 (39.2) versus 95 mg/dL (14.6), P < 0.0001 respectively). Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy was significantly associated with diabetes in pregnancy (OR 2.39 95% CI 1.49–3.83) and a birthweight of >3 kg at term (OR 1.63 95% CI 1.11–2.40). CONCLUSION: Diabetes mellitus complicates a significant number of pregnancies. Pre-existing diabetes constitutes one fifth of thesepregnancies, highlighting the importance of provision of preconception care to women contemplating pregnancy. A positive family history increases the risk of GDM by nearly 8 fold. Abnormal PPBS results in early part of pregnancy, in women who later develop GDM suggest the presence of abnormal glucose homeostasis in this group even at early stages of pregnancy. This has the potential for developing in to a test of early detection of GDM in pregnancy.Item First series of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in Sri Lanka-technical feasibility and outcome in a resource poor setting in asia.(New York; Springer, 2014) Wijeratne, T.K.; Bulugahapitiya, U.; Kumarage, S.; Rajaratnam, H.INTRODUCTION: Morbid obesity and metabolic syndrome are emerging as a major health issues in developing South Asian countries. Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) has been introduced to this region with excellent out comes in controlling morbid obesity and metabolic syndrome. OBJECTIVE(S): Assess the technical feasibility and outcome of LSG as a surgical procedure in a resource poor country in south Asia where Bariatric surgery is still a novel concept. METHOD(S): Prospective Analytical study of the first 15 patients who underwent LSG in a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka over 2 years. All data on pre operative, surgical and post operative follow up were recorded in a pre-designed research Performa and all patients were followed up for a minimum period of 6 months by Surgical and Endocrine team. All Surgeries were performed by the same surgeon and the surgical team using total Laparoscopic technique using a 40 F Gastric bougie to standardize the Sleeved stomach. There were 14 females and one male in the study group. Weight range was from 83 to 167 kg with a mean weight of 106.2 kg. Average BMI 45 kg/m2 Results: There were no major complications. The percentage excess weight loss during first 3 months was 28.8 % and at 6 months 42.3 %. Resolution of comorbidities especially Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome was excellent and one out of two patients who had surgery for subfertility conceived during study period. CONCLUSION(S): LSG can be performed safely in a resource poor setting in south Asia and is effective as a Bariatric surgical procedure for Sri Lankan population.Item Future trends in veterinary public health and emerging viral diseases(Annual Scientific Sessions of the Sri Lanka Veterinary Association., 2012) Sunil-Chandra, N.P.Veterinary Public Health (VPH) is currently defined as "the slim of all contribusions to the physical, melltal and social well-being of humans through an understanding and application of veterinalry science" (WHO 1999). This definition is more consistent with the values. goals and targets of the WHO vision 'Health for all in the 21 st century". Human health is strongly linked to animal health and production. This link between human and animal populations, and with the surrounding environment. is particularly close in developing regions where animals provide transportation. draught power, fuel and clothing as well as proteins (meat, eggs and milk). In both developing and industrialized countries. however, this can lead to a serious risk to public health with severe economic consequences. A number of communicable diseases known as zoonoses are transmitted from animals to humans. Veterinary medicine has a long and distinguished history of contributing to the maintenance and promotion of public health. Approximately 90 percent of the worldwide burden of all causes of death and disability occur in developing regions of the world but only 10 percent of all health care funds are spent in these regions (WIIO & World Bank). Six communicable disease categories that include pneumonia and infiuenza. AIDS. diarrhoeal disease. tuberculosis. malaria and mcasles are responsible for 90 percent of the estimated 13.3 million deaths in children and young aduits worldwide due to major infectious and parasitic diseases. Zoonotic agents contribute in several of these categories. Livestock disease control programmes in developing countries and countries in transition are often established, even though not very critically, on their economic importance. As a result zoonotic control programmes may not be seriously considered, especially if they do not apparently impact animal heahh and produclion. Obviously, there is a need to be¬ter define the economic impact of zoonoses and other veterinary public health problems with ‘burden of disease' analyses, as used by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Bank.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 Incidence and risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in an urban, adult Sri Lankan population – a community cohort follow-up study(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2016) Niriella, M.A.; Kasturiratne, A.; de Silva, S.T.; Perera, K.R.; Subasinghe, S.K.C.E.; Kodisinghe, S.K.; Piyarathna, T.A.C.L.; Vithiya, K.; Dassanayake, A.S.; de Silva, A.P.INTRODUCTION: In 2007, we reported a 33% prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its association with PNPLA3(rs738409) gene polymorphism in an urban, adult Sri Lankan population. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated incidence and risk factors for NAFLD after seven years follow-up. METHOD: The study population (42-71-year-olds, selected by age-stratified random sampling from the Ragama MOH area) was screened initially in 2007 and re-evaluated in 2014. On both occasions they were assessed by structured interview, anthropometric measurements, liver ultrasound, biochemical and serological tests. NAFLD was diagnosed on established ultrasound criteria, safe alcohol consumption and absence of hepatitis B/C markers. Non-NAFLD controls did not have any ultrasound criteria for NAFLD. An updated case-control genetic association study for 10 selected genetic variants and incident NAFLD was also performed. RESULTS: 2155/2985 (72.2%) of the original cohort attended follow-up [1244-women, 911-men; mean-age 59.2(SD, 7.7) years]. 1322 [839 women; mean-age 58.9 (SD, 7.6) years] had NAFLD. Out of 795 [466 women] who initially did not have NAFLD, 365 [226 women, mean-age 58.6(SD,7.9) years] had developed NAFLD after 7 years (annual incidence-6.6%). Increased waist circumference [p=0.001], BMI>23kg/m2 [p<0.001] and raised plasma triglycerides [p<0.05] independently predicted incident NAFLD. The updated genetic association study (1310 cases, 427 controls) showed borderline association with NAFLD at 2/10 candidate loci: PPP1R3B(rs4240624), PNPLA3(rs738409) (one-tailed p=0.044 and 0.033, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In this community cohort follow-up study, the annual incidence of NAFLD was 6.6%. Incident NAFLD was associated with features of metabolic syndrome, and showed tendency of association with PNPLA3 and PPP1R3B gene polymorphisms.Item Stroke subtypes in Sri Lanka(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 1997) Gunatilake, S.B.; Premawardhena, A.AIM: Data on stroke subtypes in Sri Lanka are limited. This is due to the unavailability of brain imaging facilities in most government hospitals in the country. In two leading private hospitals in Colombo, a high proportion of stroke patients are subjected to computerised tomography (CT) scanning. Therefore it was decide to study the stroke patients admitted to these two hospitals to determine the stroke subtypes METHODS: A prospective study of 103 consecutive first -ever stroke patients who were under the eare of the first author during the period 15lhMay 1995 lo30th August 1996 were studied. Diagnosis of stroke was made according to the WI10 definition. Transient ischaemic attacks (TIA) were not included in the study. The pathological subtype was confirmed by CT scan in 99 patients RESULTS: The age of the patients ranged from 37 to 94 years (mean 65y). 87 patients were over the age of 50 years. The proportion of pathological subtypes confirmed by CT scanning was cerebral infarction (CI) 74%, intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) 19% and subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAII) 6%. Of the 74 infarcts 31 (23%) were cortical, 30 (22%) were lacunar, 12(9%) were cerebellar and brains tern and 1 (0.7%) was a border zone infarct, In-hospilal mortality was 19% for all strokes: 14% for infarcts and 35% for haemorrhages. Mortality was lowest in (he lacunar stroke group (3%). In the cortical infarct group the mortality was 16%, in the ICH group 22% and in the SAM group 50%. CONCLUSION: Direct comparisons with stroke subtypes seen in other countries are not possible due to differences in methodology. In developed countries in the West cerebral infarcs account for about 80% of alI first-ever strokes and of these 13 to 21% are lacunar strokes. Countries in the East like Japan and Hongkong have reported higher proportion of haemorrhages; 27% of first-ever strokes in Hong Kong. In Sri Lanka The proportion of stroke subtypes seem to be intermediate between these countries from die west and east. Lacunar .stroke .seem to be commoner in Sri Lanka than in other countries. These differences may be because of differences in risk factors prevalent in our country.