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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    Identification of patients with type 2 diabetes with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease who are at increased risk of progressing to advanced fibrosis: a cross-sectional study
    (BMJ Publishing Group Ltd, 2023) Mettananda, C.; Egodage, T.; Dantanarayana, C.; Fernando, R.; Ranaweera, L.; Luke, N.; Ranawaka, C.; Kottahachchi, D.; Pathmeswaran, A.; de Silva, H.J.; Dassanayake, A.S.
    INTRODUCTION: Identification of advanced hepatic fibrosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is important as this may progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The risk of hepatic fibrosis is especially high among patients with diabetes with NAFLD. Annual screening of patients with diabetes for fatty liver and calculation of Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score and exclusion of significant fibrosis with vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) have been recommended. However, VCTE is expensive and may not be freely available in resource-limited settings. We aim to identify predictors of significant liver fibrosis who are at increased risk of progression to advanced liver fibrosis and to develop a prediction model to prioritise referral of patients with diabetes and NAFLD for VCTE. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This cross-sectional study is conducted among all consenting adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus with NAFLD at the Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka. All patients get the FIB-4 score calculated. Those with FIB-4 ≥1.3 undergo VCTE (with FibroScan by Echosens). Risk associations for progression to advanced liver fibrosis/cirrhosis will be identified by comparing patients with significant fibrosis (liver stiffness measure (LSM) ≥8 kPa) and without significant fibrosis (LSM <8 kPa). A model to predict significant liver fibrosis will be developed using logistic regression. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval has been obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya (P/66/07/2021). Results of the study will be disseminated as scientific publications in reputable journals.
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    Pre-treatment alphafeto protein in hepatocellular carcinoma with non-viral aetiology - a prospective study
    (BioMed Central, 2017) Siriwardana, R.C.; Thilakarathne, S.; Niriella, M.A.; Dassanayake, A.S.; Gunetilleke, M.B.; Habarakada, L.C.A.; de Silva, H.J.
    BACKGROUND: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The significance of pre-treatment AFP (pt-AFP) in non-viral HCC (nvHCC) is not clear. METHODS: Patients with nvHCC, referred to a Hepatobiliary Clinic from September 2011-2015 were screened. HCC was diagnosed using American Association for the Study of Liver Disease guidelines, and TNM staged. nvHCC was diagnosed when HBsAg and anti-HCVAb was negative. Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) and Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores were calculated. AFP level was evaluated against patient characteristics, tumour characteristics and survival. RESULTS: Three hundred eighty-nine patients with nvHCC [age 64(12-88) years; 344(88.4%) males] were screened. Median AFP was 25.46 ng/ml (1.16-100,000). 41.2% (n = 160) Of patients had normal AFP level. 22.9% (n = 89) had AFP over 400 ng/ml. Female gender (P < 0.05), vascular invasion (P < 0.001), tumours over 5 cm (P < 0.05), late TNM stage (P < 0.001) and non-surgical candidates had higher AFP levels. Diffuse type (P < 0.001), macro vascular invasion (P < 0.001) and late stage tumours (P < 0.001) had AFP over 400 ng/ml. Having AFP below 400 ng/ml was associated with longer survival (16 vs. 7 months, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Pre treatment AFP has a limited value In diagnosing nvHCC, Having a AFP value over 400 ng/ml was associated with aggressive tumour behaviour and poor prognosis.
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    A Randomized controlled trial of fresh frozen plasma for coagulopathy in Russell's viper (Daboia russelii) envenoming
    (Wiley-Blackwell, 2017) Isbister, G.K.; Jayamanne, S.; Mohamed, F.; Dawson, A.H.; Maduwage, K.; Gawarammana, I.; Lalloo, D.G.; de Silva, H.J.; Scorgie, F.E.; Lincz, L.F.; Buckley, N.A.
    BACKGROUND: Russell's viper (Daboia russelii) envenoming is a major health issue in South Asia and causes venom induced consumption coagulopathy (VICC). OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effect of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) and two antivenom doses in correcting VICC. METHODS: We undertook an open-label randomized controlled trial in patients with VICC at two Sri Lankan hospitals. Patients with suspected Russell's viper bites and coagulopathy were randomly allocated (1:1) high-dose antivenom (20 vials) or low-dose antivenom (10 vials) plus 4U FFP. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with an international normalized ratio (INR)<2, 6h post-antivenom. Secondary outcomes included anaphylaxis, major haemorrhage, death and clotting factor recovery. RESULTS: From 214 eligible patients, 141 were randomized; 71 to high-dose antivenom, 70 to low-dose antivenom/FFP; five had no post-antivenom bloods. The groups were similar except for a delay of 1h in antivenom administration for FFP patients. 6h post-antivenom 23/69 (33%) patients allocated high-dose antivenom had an INR<2 compared with 28/67 (42%) allocated low-dose antivenom/FFP [absolute difference 8%;95%Confidence Interval:-8% to 25%]. 15 patients allocated FFP did not receive it. Severe anaphylaxis occurred equally frequently in each group. One patient given FFP developed transfusion related acute lung injury. Three deaths occurred in low-dose/FFP patients including one intracranial haemorrhage. There was no difference in recovery rates of INR or fibrinogen, but more rapid initial recovery of factor V and X in FFP patients. CONCLUSION: FFP post-antivenom in Russell's viper bites didn't hasten recovery of coagulopathy. Low-dose antivenom/FFP did not worsen VICC, suggesting low-dose antivenom is sufficient. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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    Association between road accidents and low-grade hepatic encephalopathy among Sri Lankan drivers with cirrhosis: a prospective case control study
    (Biomed Central, 2016) Subasinghe, S.K.C.E.; Nandimuni, Y.; Ranasinghe, S.; Niriella, M.A.; Miththinda, J.K.N.D.; Dassanayake, A.S.; de Silva, A.P.; de Silva, H.J.
    BACKGROUND: Low-grade hepatic encephalopathy (LGHE) comprises minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) and grade 1 hepatic encephalopathy. LGHE has no or minimal recognizable symptoms but has mild cognitive and psychomotor deficits. Studies in Western countries have demonstrated increased road accidents (RA) among patients with MHE. Our objective was to investigate the association between Sri Lankan LGHE phenotype and RA. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A prospective, case–control study was conducted in the University Medical Unit, North Colombo Teaching Hospital, Ragama Sri Lanka. Patients with cirrhosis of any aetiology, without OHE, who had been driving during previous 1 month were included. A similar number of age matched, healthy control drivers were also enrolled. Both groups were subjected to five pencil-paper based psychometric tests used to detect LGHE in cirrhotics. Self-reported RA during the previous 1 month were recorded: categorized as ‘major’ when resulted in hospitalization of the involved, ‘minor’ when there were injuries, but not serious enough for hospitalization of the involved and ‘other’ when limited to damages to vehicle or environment without injuries. RESULTS: Among 55 drivers with cirrhosis and LGHE [males, median age 53 years (range 30–60)], 7 (12.7 %) reported RA compared to 6 (10.9 %) among 55 controls [males; median age 51 years (range 30–60)]. There were no ‘major’ accidents in either group. 2/55 (3.6 %) cases and 2/55 (3.6 %) controls reported ‘minor’ accidents. CONCLUSION: There was no increased frequency of RA among Sri Lankan drivers with LGHE compared to healthy controls. This is with the limitation of the study based only on self reported RA.
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    Clinical and laboratory associations of severity in a Sri Lankan cohort of patients with serologically confirmed leptospirosis: a prospective study
    (Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2015) Rajapakse, S.; Weeratunga, P.; Niloofa, M.J.; Fernando, N.; Rodrigo, C.; Maduranga, S.; de Silva, N.L.; de Silva, H.J.; Karunanayake, L.; Handunnetti, S.
    BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis results in significant morbidity and mortality. This study elucidates markers of severity in a cohort of Sri Lankan patients. METHODS: Patients presenting to three healthcare institutions in the Western province of SriLanka with leptospirosis serological confirmed by the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) were included. Prospective data regarding demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters was extracted. Univariate associations and subsequent multivariate logistic regression models were constructed. RESULTS: The study included 232 patients, with 68.5% (159) demonstrating severe disease. Significant associations of severe disease at a significance level of p<0.05 were fever >38.8°C on presentation, age >40 years, muscle tenderness, tachycardia on admission, highest white cell count >12 350/mm(3) and <7900/mm(3), highest neutrophil percentage >84%, haemoglobin >11.2 g/dL and <10.2 g/dL, packed cell volume (PCV) >33.8% and <29.8%, lowest platelet count <63 500/mm(3), highest alanine transaminase (ALT) >70 IU/L and hyponatremia with sodium <131mEq/L. On multivariate analysis, PCV <29.8% (p=0.011; OR 3.750; CI: 1.394-10.423), ALT >70 IU/L (p=0.044; OR 2.639; CI: 1.028-6.774) and hyponatremia <131mEq/L (p=0.019; OR 6.413; CI: 1.353-30.388) were independent associations of severe disease. CONCLUSIONS: Severity associations were demonstrated with both clinical and laboratoryparameters. There is a need for novel biomarkers for prediction of severity in leptospirosis. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.
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    Clinical characteristics and outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma in alcohol related and cryptogenic cirrhosis:a prospective study
    (Elsevier, 2015) Siriwardana, R.C.; Niriella, M.A.; Dassanayake, A.S.; Liyanage, C.; Gunetilleke, B.; Jayathunge, S.; de Silva, H.J.
    BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming a leading cause of chronic liver disease. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of its complications. Although the pathophysiology is unclear, it is reasonable to expect that cryptogenic cirrhosis related HCC (cryptogenic HCC) behaves differently to other types of HCC. This study prospectively compared patients with cryptogenic HCC and those with HCC related to alcoholic cirrhosis. METHODS: A total of 150 consecutive patients with HCC (89 cryptogenic HCC and 61 alcohol related HCC) referred to our unit over a 23-month period were studied. Their demographic data, liver function, tumor characteristics and outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Alcohol related HCC was seen only in males. Compared with cryptogenic HCC, alcohol related HCC had significantly higher aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) ratio (1.7 vs 1.4, P=0.002), model for end-stage liver disease score (13 vs 11, P=0.018) and Child's score (7 vs 6, P=0.037). No significant difference was seen in platelet counts, serum sodium and AST to platelet ratio index. Single nodular tumors were more common in cryptogenic HCC, while diffuse type tumors and macroscopic vascular invasion were common in alcohol related HCC. In patients who could not be offered any treatment because of advanced tumors or poor liver function, alcohol related HCC had a significantly lower median survival (5.3 months) compared with cryptogenic HCC (9.3 months, P=0.034). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with cryptogenic HCC, alcohol related HCC had worse liver function and aggressive tumor morphology at presentation, and a higher proportion was untreatable. In patients who could not be treated, median survival was lower in patients with alcohol related HCC than in those with cryptogenic HCC.
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    Concomitant leptospirosis-hantavirus co-infection in acute patients hospitalized in Sri Lanka: implications for a potentially worldwide underestimated problem
    (Cambridge University Press, 2015) Sunil-Chandra, N.P.; Clement, J.; Maes, P.; de Silva, H.J.; Van Esbroeck, M.; Van Ranst, M.
    Two global (re-)emerging zoonoses, leptospirosis and hantavirus infections, are clinically indistinguishable. Thirty-one patients, hospitalized in Sri Lanka for acute severe leptospirosis, were after exclusion of other potentially involved pathogens, prospectively screened with IgM ELISA for both pathogens. Of these, nine (29·0%) were positive for leptospirosis only, one (3·2%) for hantavirus only, seven (22·5%) for both pathogens concomitantly, whereas 13 (41·9%) remained negative for both. Moreover, in a retrospective study of 23 former patients, serologically confirmed for past leptospirosis, six (26·0%) were also positive in two different IgG ELISA hantavirus formats. Surprisingly, European Puumala hantavirus (PUUV) results were constantly higher, although statistically not significantly different, than Asian Hantaan virus (HTNV), suggesting an unexplained cross-reaction, since PUUV is considered absent throughout Asia. Moreover, RT-PCR on all hantavirus IgM ELISA positives was negative. Concomitant leptospirosis-hantavirus infections are probably heavily underestimated worldwide, compromising epidemiological data, therapeutical decisions, and clinical outcome.
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    Influence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease on the development of diabetes mellitus
    (Wiley-Blackwell, 2013) Kasturiratne, A.; Weerasinghe, S.; Dassanayake, A.S.; Rajindrajith, S.; de Silva, A.P.; Kato, N.; Wickremasinghe, A.R.; de Silva, H.J.
    BACKGROUND AND AIM: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is linked to metabolic syndrome, and is known to be associated with impaired fasting glycemia and diabetes mellitus. This prospective community-based study was conducted to determine the association between NAFLD and incidence of diabetes mellitus in an urban adult population in Sri Lanka. METHODS: Participants of the Ragama Health Study cohort were assessed for NAFLD using established ultrasound criteria in 2007. Those who were free of diabetes at baseline were followed up for 3 years. Incidence rates of diabetes mellitus were compared between subjects with and without NAFLD at baseline. RESULTS: Out of 2984 subjects, 926 had NAFLD and 676 had diabetes in 2007. Of the 2276 subjects who were free of diabetes in 2007, 1914 were re-assessed in 2010. After 3 years, 104 out of 528 subjects with NAFLD and 138 out of 1314 subjects without NAFLD had developed diabetes mellitus de novo. Incidence rates of diabetes were respectively 64.2 and 34 per 1000 person-years of follow up for those with and without NAFLD. NAFLD was an independent predictor of developing diabetes mellitus. Other independent predictors were impaired fasting glycemia and dyslipidemia. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with ultrasonically diagnosed NAFLD have an increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus. Intervention for NAFLD through lifestyle modification may prevent progression of the current diabetes epidemic. © 2012 Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Foundation and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.
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    Incidence and phenotype of inflammatory bowel disease based on results from the Asia-pacific Crohn's and colitis epidemiology study
    (Elsevier-W.B. Saunders, 2013) Ng, S.C.; Tang, W.; Ching, J.Y.; Wong, M.; Chow, C.M.; Hui, A.J.; Wong, T.C.; Leung, V.K.; Tsang, S.W.; Yu, H.H.; Li, M.F.; Ng, K.K.; Kamm, M.A.; Studd, C.; Bell, S.; Leong, R.; de Silva, H.J.; Kasturiratne, A.; Mufeena, M.N.; Ling, K.L.; Ooi, C.J.; Tan, P.S.; Ong, D.; Goh, K.L.; Hilmi, I.; Pisespongsa, P.; Manatsathit, S.; Rerknimitr, R.; Aniwan, S.; Wang, Y.F.; Ouyang, Q.; Zeng, Z.; Zhu, Z.; Chen, M.H.; Hu, P.J.; Wu, K.; Wang, X.; Simadibrata, M.; Abdullah, M.; Wu, J.C.; Sung, J.J.; Chan, F.K.; Asia-Pacific Crohn's and Colitis Epidemiologic Study (ACCESS) Study Group
    BACKGROUND & AIMS: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are becoming more common in Asia, but epidemiologic data are lacking. The Asia Pacific Crohn's and Colitis Epidemiology Study aimed to determine the incidence and phenotype of IBD in 8 countries across Asia and in Australia. METHODS: We performed a prospective, population-based study of IBD incidence in predefined catchment areas, collecting data for 1 year, starting on April 1, 2011. New cases were ascertained from multiple overlapping sources and entered into a Web-based database. Cases were confirmed using standard criteria. Local endoscopy, pathology, and pharmacy records were searched to ensure completeness of case capture. RESULTS: We identified 419 new cases of IBD (232 of ulcerative colitis [UC], 166 of Crohn's disease [CD], and 21 IBD-undetermined). The crude annual overall incidence values per 100,000 individuals were 1.37 for IBD in Asia (95% confidence interval: 1.25-1.51; 0.76 for UC, 0.54 for CD, and 0.07 for IBD-undetermined) and 23.67 in Australia (95% confidence interval: 18.46-29.85; 7.33 for UC, 14.00 for CD, and 2.33 for IBD-undetermined). China had the highest incidence of IBD in Asia (3.44 per 100,000 individuals). The ratios of UC to CD were 2.0 in Asia and 0.5 in Australia. Median time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 5.5 months (interquartile range, 1.4-15 months). Complicated CD (stricturing, penetrating, or perianal disease) was more common in Asia than Australia (52% vs 24%; P = .001), and a family history of IBD was less common in Asia (3% vs 17%; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: We performed a large-scale population-based study and found that although the incidence of IBD varies throughout Asia, it is still lower than in the West. IBD can be as severe or more severe in Asia than in the West. The emergence of IBD in Asia will result in the need for specific health care resources, and offers a unique opportunity to study etiologic factors in developing nations.
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    Envenoming due to snake bite during pregnancy
    (Oxford University Press, 2002) Seneviratne, S.L.; de Silva, C.E.; Fonseka, M.M.D.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Gunatilake, S.B.; de Silva, H.J.
    No Abstract Available