Medicine
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This repository contains the published and unpublished research of the Faculty of Medicine by the staff members of the faculty
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Item Retrospective analysis of Pyrexia of Unknown Origin (PUO) among adult patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Sri Lanka(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2021) Premathilaka, L.H.R.A.; Darshana, L.G.T.; Liyanage, I.K.; Nishshanka, N.A.S.; Gamage, M.P.; Gunasena, J.B.; Sajeethan, P.; Mendis, B.M.I.U.; Shashiprabha, W.M.M.; Tilakaratna, P.M.Y.I.; Premawardhena, A.P.Introduction and Objectives Pyrexia of “unknown origin” remains a clinical entity universally despite advances in diagnostic technologies. There are few if any systematic studies on PUO conducted in Sri Lanka. We retrospectively analysed data of patients with PUO from a tertiary care hospital. Methods Records of PUO patients admitted to Colombo North (Teaching) Hospital during the period of January 2015 – January 2020 were extracted from the archives. Details of etiology, diagnosis and usage of medication of each patient was recorded. Results A total of 100 PUO patients were recruited. Majority were males (n=55;54.5%). Median ages of male and female patients were 53.0 and 50.0 years respectively. A final diagnosis had been reached in the majority (n=65;65%). Mean number of days of hospital stay was 15.16 (SD; 7.81). Median of the total number of fever days among PUO patients was 30.5. Out of 65 patients whose etiology were identified, the majority were diagnosed with an infection (n = 47; 72.31%) followed by noninfectious inflammatory conditions (n=13; 20.0%) and malignancies (n=5; 7.7%). Tuberculosis was the commonest infection detected (n=15; 31.9%). Mean number of days taken to reach the final diagnosis was 11.57 (SD: 11.42). Contrast enhanced CT scan (CECT) pelvis/abdomen (n = 15; 23.1%) was the commonest investigation leading to the final diagnosis. Antibiotics had been prescribed for the majority of the PUO patients (n=90; 90%). Conclusion Infections, mainly tuberculous, was the commonest cause for PUO while a third of patients remained undiagnosed despite a prolonged hospital stay.Item Low-dose melatonin for sleep disturbances in early-stage cirrhosis: A randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial(John Wiley & Sons Australia Ltd, 2020) de Silva, A.P.; Niriella, M.A.; Ediriweera, D.S.; de Alwis, J.P.N.; Liyanage, I.K.; Ettickan, U.; Liyanapathirana, K.V.; Undugodage, C.; de Silva, H.A.; de Silva, H.J.BACKGROUND AND AIM: Melatonin is used to treat sleep disturbances (SDs). The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of low-dose melatonin for SDs in early-stage cirrhosis. METHODS: In a single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over clinical trial, patients with early-stage (Child-Turcotte-Pugh [CTP] class A or B) cirrhosis with SDs, without hepatic encephalopathy, were randomized to placebo or 3 mg of melatonin for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, the patients were given a washout period of 1 week and crossed over to melatonin or placebo for a further 2 weeks. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were used to measure sleep quality and daytime sleepiness, respectively. Analysis of results was based on intention to treat, and linear mixed-effect models were used to evaluate the effect of melatonin. Analysis was conducted using R-programming language 3.5.1. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients were recruited (mean age: 61.9 ± 8.7 years, males: 46 [64.8%], and CTP Class A = 52 [73.2%] and Class B = 19 [26.8%]). Sixty patients completed the study (mean age: 61.7 ± 8.8 years, males: 40 [66.6%], and CTP Class A = 45 [75.0%] and Class-B = 15 [25.0%]). Two patients dropped out due to adverse events. Nine patients were lost to follow up. Patients given melatonin had a significantly lower PSQI and ESS compared to both pretreatment (P < 0.001) and postplacebo scores (P < 0.001). Incidence of adverse events was similar (two each of abdominal pain, one each of headache, one each of dizziness) in both groups. CONCLUSION: Melatonin seems safe and effective for use in patients with SDs in early-stage cirrhosis in the short term. However, larger and longer-term studies to assess efficacy and safety are required before its clinical use can be recommended. KEYWORDS: cirrhosis; clinical trial; melatonin; sleep disturbances; treatment.Item Identification of dengue patients with high risk of severe disease, using early clinical and laboratory features, in a resource-limited setting(Springer-Verlag., 2020) Niriella, M.A.; Liyanage, I.K.; Udeshika, A.; Liyanapathirana, K.V.; de Silva, A.P.; de Silva, H.J.ABSTRACT: Only a minority of dengue infections lead to plasma leakage (critical phase [CP]). Early identification of the risk for CP is helpful for triage of patients. This study aimed to identify early clinical predictors of CP that will aid in patient triage during early illness. A retrospective, case-record-based analysis was performed on all microbiologically confirmed (NS1-antigen- or dengue-IgM-antibody-positive), dengue patients (n = 697), admitted to our unit from 01.01.2017 to 30.06.2017. Bivariate analysis was performed to identify clinical and laboratory parameters that predicted CP. Stepwise multivariate logistic regression with backward elimination (p < 0.05) was used to identify independent risk factors for CP. CP developed in 226 (32.4%) patients. Mortality was 1.0%. Predictors for CP (p < 0.05) within the first three days included age category 41-50 years (OR = 1.96), females (OR = 2.09), diabetes (OR = 1.30), persistent vomiting (OR = 2.18), platelet count < 120,000/mm-3 (OR = 1.91) and AST > 60 IU/L (OR = 3.72). On multivariate analysis, other variables except diabetes remained significant. Elevated transaminase levels remained the strongest independent predictor of CP (OR 2.83). The absence of all five risk factors excluded CP (negative predictive value: 97.2%). Age 41-50 years, female gender, persistent vomiting, thrombocytopenia, and elevated transaminases were early predictors of CP in dengue fever. The absence of these can be used to identify patients who may not require hospital admission. Elevated transaminase was the strongest predictor of CP during early illness.Item Perioperative outcome following establishment of deceased donor liver transplantation: A single center experience in Ragama, Sri Lanka(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2018) Withanachchi, A.D.; Thalagala, T.A.E.S.; Liyanage, I.K.; Dassanayake, A.S.; de Silva, A.P.; Gunetilleke, M.B.; Siriwardana, R.C.; Niriella, M.A.INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Liver transplant (LT) perioperative mortality is a good performance indicator among transplant centres. Colombo North Teaching Hospital (CNTH) is the first LT program in Sri Lanka. We aimed to evaluate the perioperative (30 day) outcomes and complications of patients who underwent deceased donor liver transplantation (DOLT) at CNTH between the first 9 DDLTs that were carried out before 2016 (Tl) and the last 10 DDLTs after 2016 (T2). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of pre-operative records, operation notes, discharge and follow up notes were carried out on all patients who underwent DOLT at CNTH. RESULTS: A total of 19-DDLTs were performed during this period. Mean age of the recipients was 50.3 (Tl :52.9, T2:47.9) years: Indications (n) for DDLT were: advanced cirrhosis with high MELD (12), other complications of cirrhosis (3),."cirrhosis with hepatocellular carcinoma (3) and acute liver failure (1 ). Aetiology of cirrhosis (n) were: cryptogenic (13), alcohol (3), autoimmune hepatitis (1), other (1). Pre transplant MELD was 16 in Tl and 18 in T2. Average hospital stay was 11.1 days (7.4 days in the intensive care). Perioperative mortality was 4/9 (44%) in Tl and 2/10 (20%) in T2. Mortality was due to PNF (3), sepsis (2) and post-operative reperfusion syndrome (1). Other post-operative complications (in Tl and T2) were: hepatic artery thrombosis (0,0), cholestasis (0, 1 ), acute cellular rejection (0,2), hydrothorax (0,3), clinically significant tacrolimus toxicity (1,o) and acute renal failure (4,2). CONCLUSION: Perioperative mortality has reduced and outcomes improved in the second half indicating success of the CNTH LT program.Item Early hepatitis is the strongest risk factor for the development of severe dengue infection: A points-based risk-score to predict critical disease in dengue fever(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2018) Niriella, M.A.; Udeshika, A.K.M.A.; Liyanage, I.K.; de Silva, A.P.; de Silva, H.J.INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Some dengue fever (DF) patients develop plasma leakage [critical-phase (CP)], which may progress to multi-organ failure. We attempted to identify early predictors ofCP in DF. METHODS: This was a retrospective, case-record-based study. Clinical, laboratory features in the first three-days (Dl-3) of illness was used to formulate a risk prediction model (RPM). Patients with serologically confirmed DF, admitted to the University Medical Unit, Teaching Hospital, Ragama, from 01.01.2017-30.06.2017 were included. Patients were randomly assigned to training (TD) and validation datasets (VD) of equal size. Stepwise multivariate logistic regression (p<0.05) was used to identify risk factors in TD. Versions of RPM were compared using Akaike criteria and McFadden's adjusted R2. Coefficients from the best RPM were used to derive weighted risk scores. Best RPM was validated in VD using C-statistic. RESULTS: 697 patients were included (mean-age:34.7±16.1 years, females-48.8%, TD=350, VD=346). CP developed inJ27 (32.6%). Mortality was I%. Risk predictors (p<0.05) were: female gender (OR=2.l), diabetes (OR=l.8), vomiting (OR=l.9), platelets60 IU/L (OR=3.3). In multivariate analysis, female gender (score=2), vomiting (score=3), platelets<120,000/mm-3 (score=3) and AST>60 IU/L 3 (score=4) were significant while diabetes was non-significant. Calculated RPM score ranged from 0-12. C-statistic for the TD was 0.78 and VD 0.77 (Hosmer-Lemeshow test: p=0.19 and 0.34 respectively). A cut-off of 5 was selected to maximise sensitivity (0.96), negative predictive value (0.95) with specificity of 0.44. CONCLUSION: This simple risk score seems useful in identifying those at risk ofCP within Dl-3 of the onset ofDF. The early presence of dengue hepatitis was the strongest predictor of CP.Item Social determinants of obesity in Kalutara District(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2014) de Silva, A.P.; de Silva, S.H.P.; Liyanage, I.K.; Rajapakse, L.C.; Jayasinghe, K.S.A.; Kotulanda, P.; Wijeyaratne, C.N.; Wijeratne, S.; Haniffa, R.INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To describe social, cultural and economic determinants of obesity in a representative population in Kalutara METHODS: A cross sectional survey carried out among adults of 35 to 64 years. Applying a stratified random duster sampling method from urban, rural and plantation sectors, 1300 participants were selected. Data gathered using an interviewer administered questionnaire. The body mass index of 23.01 kg/m2-27.50kg/ m2 was considered as overweight and >27.51kg/m2 as obese. Waist circumference (WC) of >90cm and >80cm was regarded as high for men and women respectively. Significance of prevalence of diseases and risk factors across different socio-economic strata were determined by chi square test for trend. RESULTS: Of 1234 adults who were screened age and sex adjusted prevalence of overweight, obesity and abdominal obesity (high WC) were 33.2%, 14.3% and 33.6% respectively. The Muslim population had the highest prevalence of all three categories. Sector, education, income, social status quintiles and area level deprivation categories show-an inverse gradient in obesity categories, mean BM! and mean WC. The differences observed for mean BM! and mean WC between the lowest and .highest groups in these socioeconomic factors were significant. CONCLUSION: There is an inverse gradient of overweight, obese and centrally obese with higher prevalence observed in the more affluent, educated, urban and high income segments of society. In Sri Lanka those in the higher socio economic categories are still at a higher risk of being overweight, obese and having abdominal obesity.