Journal/Magazine Articles

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This collection contains original research articles, review articles and case reports published in local and international peer reviewed journals by the staff members of the Faculty of Medicine

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 36
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    Physical activity tracking among Sri Lankan adults: findings from a 7-year follow-up of the Ragama Health Study
    (SAGE Publications, 2021) Pinidiyapathirage, J.; Kasturiratne, A.; Bennie, J.A.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Biddle, S.J.H.; de Silva, H.J.; Chackrewarthy, S.; Dassanayake, A.S.; Ranawaka, U.; Kato, N.; Wickremasinghe, A.R.
    ABSTRACT: Limited data are available on physical activity tracking among adults in low- and middle-income countries. Using a longitudinal design, we assessed trends and correlates of physical activity among Sri Lankan adults. Individuals selected through age-stratified random sampling, were screened initially in 2007 (n = 2986) and reevaluated in 2014 (n = 2148). On both occasions, structured interviews and clinical measurements were completed. Approximately 40% of the participants engaged in recommended levels of physical activity both at baseline and follow-up. One-fifth reported increased physical activity at follow-up, a similar proportion reported being persistently inactive or a reduction in physical activity. In the adjusted analysis, being persistently active was associated with male sex, a lower educational level and income, being free of any chronic disease conditions, better self-rated health, and sitting time <8 hours. Our findings support public health interventions to help maintain recommended physical activity levels over time, particularly for subgroups at high-risk of physical inactivity. KEYWORDS: Sri Lanka; lower middle-income countries; non-communicable diseases; physical activity; population studies.
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    The clinical utility of accurate NAFLD ultrasound grading: Results from a community-based, prospective cohort study
    (Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd, 2021) Niriella, M.A.; Ediriweera, D.S.; Kasturiratne, A.; Gunasekara, D.; de Silva, S.T.; Dassanayake, A.S.; de Silva, A.P.; Kato, N.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Wickremasinghe, A.R.; de Silva, H.J.
    OBJECTIVES: Despite its widespread use there is no consensus on ultrasound criteria to diagnose fatty liver. METHOD: In an ongoing, cohort-study, participants were initially screened in 2007 and reassessed in 2014 by interview, anthropometric measurements, liver ultrasonography, and blood tests. We evaluated utility of increased hepatic echogenicity alone (intermediate) compared to using additional criteria which included signal attenuation and/or vascular blunting along with increase of hepatic echogenicity (moderate-severe), to diagnose fatty liver in NAFLD. We made a comparison of the two radiologically defined groups, in order to choose a classification method for NAFLD, which may better predict baseline adverse metabolic traits (MT), and adverse metabolic and cardiovascular events (CVE) after 7-year of follow-up. RESULTS: Of 2985 recruited in 2007, 940 (31.5 %) had moderate-severe NAFLD, 595 (19.9 %) intermediate NAFLD, and 957 (32.1 %) were controls (no fatty liver). 2148 (71.9 %) attended follow-up in 2014; they included 708 who had moderate-severe NAFLD, 446 intermediate NAFLD and 674 controls, at baseline (in 2007). At baseline, adverse anthropometric indices and MTs were significantly higher in both moderate-severe NAFLD and intermediate NAFLD compared to controls, except for low HDL. They were commoner in moderate-severe NAFLD than in intermediate NAFLD. After seven years, the odds of developing new-onset metabolic traits and CVEs were significantly higher compared to controls only in moderate-severe NAFLD. CONCLUSIONS: Only moderate-severe NAFLD predicted risk of incident adverse MTs and CVEs. However, both moderate-severe and intermediate NAFLD were associated with higher prevalence of adverse anthropometric and metabolic traits, thereby identifying individuals who need medical intervention even among those with milder degrees of fatty liver. We therefore recommend using increased hepatic echogenicity, and not only the more stringent criteria (which include signal attenuation and/or vascular blunting), for the diagnosis of fatty liver in individuals with NAFLD. KEYWORDS: Cardiovascular events; Fatty liver; NAFLD; Outcomes; Ultrasonography; Ultrasound criteria.
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    A Case of persistent portal hypertension following ligation of a large porto - systemic shunt during cadaveric donor liver transplantation
    (Sri Lanka Medical Association., 2020) Siriwardana, R.C.; Shanthanayagam, N.; Gunetilleke, M.B.; Weerasuriya, A.P.; Niriella, M.A.; Dassanayake, A.S.; Dissanayake, R.
    No abstract available
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    Lean non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (lean NAFLD): characteristics, metabolic outcomes and risk factors from a 7-year prospective, community cohort study from Sri Lanka
    (Springer, 2019) Niriella, M.A.; Kasturiratne, A.; Pathmeswaran, A.; de Silva, S.T.; Perera, K. R.; Subasinghe, S.K.C.E.; Kodisinghe, S.K.; Piyaratna, T.A.C.L.; Vithiya, K.; Dassanayake, A.S.; de Silva, A.P.; Wickremasinghe, A.R.; Takeuchi, F.; Kato, N.; de Silva, H.J.
    INTRODUCTION: While patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are mostly overweight or obese, some are lean. METHODS: In a community-based follow-up study (baseline and follow-up surveys performed in 2007 and 2014), we investigated and compared the clinical characteristics, body composition, metabolic associations and outcomes, and other risk factors among individuals with lean (BMI < 23 kg/m2) NAFLD, non-lean (BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2) NAFLD and those without NAFLD. To investigate associations of selected genetic variants, we performed a case-control study between lean NAFLD cases and lean non-NAFLD controls.RESULTS: Of the 2985 participants in 2007, 120 (4.0%) had lean NAFLD and 816 (27.3%) had non-lean NAFLD. 1206 (40.4%) had no evidence of NAFLD (non-NAFLD). Compared to non-lean NAFLD, lean NAFLD was commoner among males (p < 0.001), and had a lower prevalence of hypertension (p < 0.001) and central obesity (WC < 90 cm for males, < 80 cm for females) (p < 0.001) without prominent differences in the prevalence of other metabolic comorbidities at baseline survey. Of 2142 individuals deemed as either NAFLD or non-NAFLD in 2007, 704 NAFLD individuals [84 lean NAFLD, 620 non-lean NAFLD] and 834 individuals with non-NAFLD in 2007 presented for follow-up in 2014. There was no difference in the occurrence of incident metabolic comorbidities between lean NAFLD and non-lean NAFLD. Of 294 individuals who were non-NAFLD in 2007 and lean in both 2007 and 2014, 84 (28.6%) had developed lean NAFLD, giving an annual incidence of 4.1%. Logistic regression identified the presence of diabetes at baseline, increase in weight from baseline to follow-up and a higher educational level as independent risk factors for the development of incident lean NAFLD. NAFLD association of PNPLA3 rs738409 was more pronounced among lean individuals (one-tailed p < 0.05) compared to the whole cohort sample. CONCLUSION: Although lean NAFLD constitutes a small proportion of NAFLD, the risk of developing incident metabolic comorbidities is similar to that of non-lean NAFLD. A PNPLA3 variant showed association with lean NAFLD in the studied population. Therefore, lean NAFLD also warrants careful evaluation and follow-up.
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    Diffuse-Type Hepatoma: A grave prognostic marker
    (Karger Medical and Scientific Publishers, 2017) Siriwardana, R.C.; Liyanage, C.A.H.; Gunetilleke, B.; Niriella, M.A.; de Silva, H.J.; Dassanayake, A.S.; Jayatunga, S.P.
    BACKGROUND: Data on diffuse-type hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are rare. HCC in Sri Lanka is rising, and the majority is related to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. This study was planned to compare nodular- and diffuse-type HCC in this cohort. METHODS: CT scans of 227 patients with HCC negative for infective hepatitis were analyzed and grouped as nodular and diffuse from July 2011 to July 2014. Diffuse-type cancer was defined as a tumor without convex/distinct margin, diffusely infiltrating the hepatic parenchyma. There were 45 (20%) cases. The baseline liver functions, etiology, treatment, and the outcome were compared with nodular-type cancers. Stage III diffuse cancers were matched with 2 stage III nodular cancers looking at the T stage and background liver. RESULTS: There was no difference in the age (63 vs. 62 years, p = 0.937) and gender. Diffuse cancers had a low BMI (24 vs. 22, p = 0.009), a higher alpha fetoprotein (AFP) level (p < 0.001), a higher incidence of major vascular invasion (14 vs. 80%, p < 0.001), and a history of significant alcohol consumption (39 vs. 67%, p = 0.001). The baseline liver functions were similar in diffuse and nodular cancers. A large proportion (27 vs.77%, p < 0.001) of diffuse cancers were not candidates for active treatment. Overall survival was poor in the diffuse type(4.7 vs. 25 months, p < 0.001). Diffuse-type stage III cancers had a poor survival compared to matched nodular cancers (2.5 vs. 15.8 months, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: HCC without a background of infective hepatitis were common in our cohort. These tumors are associated with high AFP levels, major vascular invasion, and a poor prognosis.
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    Liver transplantation for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis related cirrhosis(A future global epidemic already seen in current Sri Lankan practice)
    (Sage Journals, 2017) Siriwardana, R.C.; Niriella, M.A.; Dassanayake, A.S.; Gunetilleke, B.; de Silva, H.J.
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    Recurrence of graft steatosis after liver transplantation for cryptogenic cirrhosis in recently commenced liver transplant program
    (Springer India, 2016) Siriwardana, R.C.; Niriella, M.A.; Dassanayake, A.S.; Liyanage, C.A.H.; Gunetilleke, B.; de Silva, H.J.
    Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) seems to recur in at least one third of patients transplanted for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related cirrhosis. While, NASH recurrence does not seem to affect overall graft and patient survival up to 10 years, cardiovascular and infection-related morbidity and mortality seem to be increased in these patients. This report looks at the graft histology in patients who were transplanted for NASH-related cirrhosis after short-term follow up. We report a high prevalence of recurrent NAFLD in liver grafts post-transplant among five patients. The degree of steatosis noted among the recipients is alarming.
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    Association of genetic variants with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in an urban Sri Lankan community
    (Wiley-Blackwell, 2015) Kasturiratne, A.; Akiyama, K.; Niriella, M.A.; Takeuchi, F.; Isono, M.; Dassanayake, A.S.; de Silva, A.P.; Wickremasinghe, A.R.; Kato, N.; de Silva, H.J.
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    Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among potential live liver donors-a preliminary experience from Sri Lanka
    (Springer India, 2014) Silva, H.; Siriwardana, R.C.; Niriella, M.A.; Dassanayake, A.S.; Liyanage, C.A.H.; Gunetilleke, B.; de Silva, H.J.
    No abstract available
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    Usefulness of routine terminal ileoscopy and biopsy during colonoscopy in a tropical setting: a retrospective record-based study
    (Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2014) Wijewantha, H.S.; de Silva, A.P.; Niriella, M.A.; Wijesinghe, N.; Waraketiya, P.; Kumarasena, R.S.; Dassanayake, A.S.; Hewavisenthi, S.J.de S.; de Silva, H.J.
    Introduction. Available evidence for routine terminal ileoscopy during colonoscopy is equivocal. We investigated the place of routine terminal ileoscopy and biopsy during colonoscopy, in a tropical setting. Materials and Methods. All consenting adults undergoing colonoscopy had routine TI and biopsy. Patients with right iliac fossa (RIF) pain, diarrhoea, anaemia, suspected inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and raised inflammatory markers were defined as Group A and all others undergoing colonoscopy as Group B. Results. Caecal intubation and TI were achieved in 988/1096 (90.15%) and 832/1096 (75.9%) cases, respectively. 764/832(91.8%) patients were included in final analysis. 81/764 (10.6%) patients had either macroscopic (34/81) or microscopic (47/81) abnormalities of terminal ileum; 20/81 had both. These were CD (28/47), tuberculosis (TB) (6/47), ileitis due to resolving infection (8/47), and drug-induced ileitis (5/47). 27/81 with macroscopically normal ileum had CD (18/27), ileitis due to resolving infection (5/27) and drug-induced ileitis (4/27) on histology. 12/764 (1.57%) patients with macroscopically normal colon had ileal CD (8/12), drug-induced ileitis (2/12), and resolving ileal infection (2/12) on histology. 47/764 (6.15%) patients had ileal pathology that influenced subsequent management. These were significantly higher in Group A (43/555 (8%)) than in Group B (4/209 (1.9%)) (P = 0.0048, χ (2) = 7.968). Conclusion. TI and biopsy improve diagnostic yield of colonoscopy in patients with RIF pain, diarrhoea, anaemia, suspected IBD, and raised inflammatory markers.