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This repository contains the published and unpublished research of the Faculty of Medicine by the staff members of the faculty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 Epidemiology of goitres in Sri Lanka with Geographic Information System Mapping: a population based cross sectional study(Jaypee Publishers, 2015) Fernando, R.; Chandrasinghe, P.C.; Nandasena, S.; Pathmeswaran, A.BACKGROUND: Sri Lanka is considered an endemic region for goiter. Early researchers have suggested the existence of a goiter belt based on rainfall pattern. Subsequent studies done in school children have challenged this theory. Current study is a community-based cross-sectional study done to assess the epidemiology of goiters. Geographic information system (GIS) mapping of the goiter prevalence is developed for the first time in Sri Lanka. METHODS: Study subjects were selected using a multi-staged cluster sampling with probability proportionate to size (PPS) method. Examination for the presence of goiters was done by two trained investigators and graded. ArcGIS 10 software was used for geostatistical analysis and developing a map by interpolating the data collected for the first time in Sri Lanka. RESULTS: A total of 5200 individuals (female-66%, median age-38 years; range 10-92 years) were assessed and 426 goiters were detected. The adjusted prevalence rate of goiters was 6.8%. Kriging interpolation method was used to develop the most appropriate epidemiological map clustering of high prevalence areas with scattered pockets of high prevalence was observed. Current map does not show a prevalence pattern in relation to the rainfall or elevation above sea level as proposed in the past. CONCLUSION: Goiter prevalence in Sri Lanka appears to be different from earlier proposed patterns. Use of GIS has contributed to develop a comprehensive epidemiological map of goiters demonstrating the absence of an endemic goiter belt in the wet zone as proposed earlier.Item Identifying the biting species in snakebite by clinical features: an epidemiological tool for community surveys(Oxford University Press, 2006) Pathmeswaran, A.; Kasturiratne, A.; Fonseka, M.; Nandasena, S.; Lalloo, D.G.; de Silva, H.J.The outcome of snakebite is related to the biting species but it is often difficult to identify the biting snake, particularly in community settings. We have developed a clinical scoring system suitable for use in epidemiological surveys, with the main aim of identifying the presumed biting species in those with systemic envenoming who require treatment. The score took into account ten features relating to bites of the five medically important snakes in Sri Lanka, and an algorithm was developed applying different weightings for each feature for different species. A systematically developed artificial data set was used to fine tune the score and to develop criteria for definitive identification. The score was prospectively validated using 134 species-confirmed snakebites. It correctly differentiated the bites caused by the three snakes that commonly cause major clinical problems (Russell's viper (RV), kraits and cobra) from other snakes (hump-nosed viper (HNV) and saw-scaled viper (SSV)) with 80% sensitivity and 100% specificity. For individual species, sensitivity and specificity were, respectively: cobra 76%, 99%; kraits 85%, 99%; and RV 70%, 99%. As anticipated, the score was insensitive in the identification of bites due to HNV and SSV