Medicine
Permanent URI for this communityhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/12
This repository contains the published and unpublished research of the Faculty of Medicine by the staff members of the faculty
Browse
14 results
Search Results
Item Identification of type 2 diabetes patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease who are at increased risk of significant hepatic fibrosis: a cross-sectional study(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2023) Mettananda, K.C.D.; Egodage, T.; Dantanarayana, C.; Solangarachchi, M.B.; Fernando, R.; Ranaweera, L.; Siriwardhena, S.; Ranawaka, C.K.; Kottahachchi, D.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Dassanayake, A.S.; de Silva, H.J.INTRODUCTION: Annual screening of patients with diabetes for fatty liver, and identifying those with significant hepatic fibrosis using the FIB-4 score and vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) has been recommended to detect patients who may progress to advanced hepatic fibrosis/cirrhosis. However, VCTE is not freely available in resource-limited settings. OBJECTIVES: To identify clinical and biochemical predictors of significant liver fibrosis in diabetics with fatty liver. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study among all consenting adults with T2DM and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) attending the Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka from November 2021 to November 2022. FIB-4 scores were calculated and patients with a score ≥1.3 underwent VCTE. Risk associations for liver fibrosis were identified by comparing patients with significant fibrosis (LSM ≥8 kPa) with those without significant fibrosis (FIB-4<1.3). RESULTS: A total of 363 persons were investigated. Of these, 243 had a score of FIB-4 <1.3. Of the 120 with a FIB-4 ≥1.3, 76 had LSM ≥8 kPa. Significant fibrosis was individually associated with age (OR 1.01, p<0.0001), duration of diabetes (OR 1.02, p=0.006), family history of liver disease (OR 1.42, p=0.035), waist (OR 1.04, p=0.035), and FIB-4 (OR 2.08, p<0.0001). However, on adjusted analysis, significant fibrosis was only associated with a family history of liver disease (OR 2.69, p=0.044) and FIB-4 (OR 1.43, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In patients with T2DM and fatty liver, advancing age, increased duration of diabetes, a family history of liver disease, waist circumference and a high FIB-4 score increase the risk of significant hepatic fibrosis. Targeted interventions in this group may help prevent progression to advanced hepatic fibrosis/cirrhosis.Item Is splenic stiffness measurement(SSM) better than Baveno VII criteria to predict oesophageal and cardio- fundal varices in patients with compensated advanced liver cell disease (cACLD)?(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2023) de Silva, A.P.; Niriella, M.A.; Nishad, A.A.N.; Samarawickrama, V.T.; Jayasundara, H.; Ranawaka, C.K.; de Silva, S.T.; Withanage, M.; Ediriweera, D.; de Silva, H.J.INTRODUCTION: Liver and splenic stiffness measurements (LSM and SSM) using transient elastography (TE) are being increasingly used as a screening tool to predict varices. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to test the utility of Baveno-VII criteria (LSM>25kPa, LSM>20kPa with platelet count <130,000 and LSM>15kPa with platelet count <110,000) and SSM to predict oesophageal and cardio-fundal varices in a cohort of Sri Lankan patients with aALCD. METHODS: Consecutive patients with newly diagnosed Child’s class A cALCD (non-viral, BMI<30) were recruited prospectively. They underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy by an endoscopist followed by a Fibroscan by an operator who is unaware of endoscopy findings using ECHOSENS-Fibroscan-502 to measure LSM and SSM. Validity measurements of three Baveno-VII criteria and SSM values to predict oesophageal and cardio-fundal varices were calculated. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-four individuals were recruited [Mean (95%CI) age 61.4 (59.7-62.8) years, 110 males], and 106 had varices. Our results indicate that the three Baveno VII criteria had sensitivities of 61%, 63% and 42%, and specificities of 79%, 77% and 87%. SSM>30kPa alone or in combination with LSM>15kPa had sensitivity of 81&75%, specificity of 72&83%, PPV of 82&87%, NPV of 71&67% and accuracy of 78&78% consecutively to predict oesophageal and cardio-fundal varices. CONCLUSION: Baveno VII criteria had low sensitivity but high specificity to predict oesophageal and cardio-fundal varices. SSM>30kPa alone or in combination with LSM>15kPa seemed to predict oesophageal and cardio-fundal varices better.Item Sero-prevalence and vaccination status of hepatitis A and hepatitis B among adults with cirrhosis in Sri Lanka: a hospital based cohort study(Biomed Central, 2017) Niriella, M.A.; Kobbegala, V.J.; Karalliyadda, H.N.; Ranawaka, C.K.; de Silva, A.P.; Dassanayake, A.S.; de Silva, H.J.BACKGROUND: As acute viral hepatitis can be fatal in patients with cirrhosis, vaccination against hepatitis A (HAV) and hepatitis B (HBV) is recommended for non-immune patients. With increasing affluence the incidence of hepatitis A in childhood has decreased leading to a significant proportion of non-immune adults. As part of their routine investigation, hepatitis A IgG antibodies (anti-HAV IgG), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibodies was checked and immunization status was assessed among consenting newly diagnosed cirrhotic patients presenting to a tertiary referral center. FINDINGS: Out of 135 patients, 107 [79.3%; males 91; mean age (SD) at presentation: 55.5 (11.6) years] with complete data were included for analysis. Most patients had either cryptogenic cirrhosis (62.6%) or alcoholic cirrhosis (29.9%); 2 (1.9%) had HBV cirrhosis, none had hepatitis C (HCV) cirrhosis. None of the patients had received vaccination against hepatitis A, while 71 (67.6%) had been vaccinated against HBV. The majority [62 (58%)] were negative for anti-HAV IgG. CONCLUSION: Most cirrhotic patients in this cohort were not immune to hepatitis A. None had been vaccinated against HAV, while a third of patients had not been vaccinated against HBV. Cirrhotic patients should be routinely investigated for immunity against HAV and HBV, and vaccination offered to those found to be non-immune.Item Predicting acute liver failure in dengue infection(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2016) Kumarasena, R.S.; Niriella, M.A.; Ranawaka, C.K.; Miththinda, J.K.N.D.; de Silva, A.P.; Dassanayake, A.S.; de Silva, H.J.In a retrospective study involving 240 patients with dengue infection, we attempted to identify early predictors of acute liver failure (ALF). Sixteen out of 41 patients with serum AST more than 1000 IU/ml developed ALF compared to none with serum AST less than 1000 IU/ml. Among patients with serum AST more than 1000 IU/ml, presence of two of the three following phenomena, within the first 5 days of illness: elevated serum bilirubin, elevated alkaline phosphatise or persistent nausea and vomiting, predicted development of ALF (93.8% sensitivity, 98.7% specificity, 83.3% positive predictive and 99% negative predictive value). The presence of elevated serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and persistent nausea and vomiting in patients with very high serum AST during the early phase of dengue infection should alert the physician of impending ALF.Item Profile of gastric varices among Sri Lankan cirrhotics(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2012) Ranawaka, C.K.; Mettananda, K.C.D.; de Alwis, W.H.S.; Miththinda, J.K.N.D.; Mriella, M.A.; de Silva, A.P.; de Silva, H.J.INTRODUCTION: Gastric varices (GV) can result in life threatening bleeding. There have been no studies on the characteristics of GV among Sri Lankan cirrhotics. Aims: To perform a descriptive analysis of GV among a Sri Lankan cirrhotic population METHODS: Medical records of all upper gastrointestinal endoscopies performed on cirrhotics at presentation, in the University Endoscopy Unit, Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, from 2006 to 2011 were screened. Demographics, indication and findings of endoscopy were analysed. RESULTS: 628/641(98%] of the cirrhotic population screened had a complete data set for analysis. 70/628(11%) patients had GV[ma!e-61(87%), female-9(13%); mean age 55(SD = +/- 10.7, range 23-81 years]]. 48/70(69%] had oesophageal varices (Gastro Oesophageal Varices (GOVl-18/48(38%), GOV2- 30/48(62%] in addition to GV and 22/70(31%] had Isolated GV (JGV1 -10(45%], IGV2 -12(55%]]. 38/70(54%] had portal hypertensive gastropathy and 3/70(4%] had gastric antral vascular ectasia in addition to GV. 51/70 (73%] were detected on initial screening of cirrhotics, while 19/70(27%][6/22(27%] with IGV] were detected at presentation with upper gastrointestinal bleed (UGIB]. 288/628(46%] had oesophageal varices (EV). 240/288(83%] had only EV without GV. 163/240(68%) were detected on initial screening of cirrhotics, while 77/240(32%) were detected at presentation with UGIB. There was no statistical significance between proportion of patients detected to have isolated EV or IGV at presentation with UGIB (p=0.64; ?2=0.2) CONCLUSIONS: The profile of GV among our patients is comparable to what is previously described elsewhere. Findings suggest in cirrhotic patients presenting with UGIB searching for presence of GV, by retroflexion at endoscopy, is as important as identifying EV.Item Development and validation of sinhala version of the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ) for assessment of quality of life among cirrhotics(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2012) Ranawaka, C.K.; Pathmeswaran, A.; de Alwis, W.R.S.; Mufeena, M.N.F.; Wijewantha, H.S.; Senanayake, S.M.; Niriella, M.A.; Dassanayake, A.S.; de Silva, A.P.; de Silva, H.J.INTRODUCTION: Chronic liver disease (CLD) has a negative impact on patient quality of life (QOL). The Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ) is a validated tool which measures the Health Related Quality of Life (HRQL) among cirrhotics. CLDQ is easy to administer, measures six domains of QOL; abdominal symptoms, fatigue, systemic symptoms, activity, emotional functions and worry. It shows good correlation with severity of CLD. Aims: To develop and validate a Sinhala version of the CLDQ (sCLDQ). METHODS: A standard method of forward and back-translation by bilingual translators was used to develop the sCLDQ. Pilot testing were done with relevant adaptations, considering differences in culture and language. The final version was self-administered to stable CLD patients without significant co-morbidities, together with the WHO BREF Sinhala version (validated for patients of any disease), for comparison. sCLDQ was re-administered 4 weeks later to study its internal consistency and reliability. The sCLDQ validation was assessed by Cronabach's alpha, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Pearson's correlation coefficient RESULTS: Forty eight patients participated in the validation process. The item total correlations of sCLDQ varied from 0.30 to 0.82 (except one item number 0.15). Overall Cronabach's alpha was 0.92. Re-administration of sCLDQ to 15 patients yielded an ICC of 0.54 (p = 0.02). There was a significant correlation (Pearson's r = 0.34; p = 0.03) between sCLDQ and WHO BREF. CONCLUSIONS: sCLDQ was reliable and valid and would be a useful tool to assess QOL of cirrhotic patients in Sri Lanka.Item Predicting acute liver failure in dengue infection(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2012) Ranawaka, C.K.; Kumarasena, R.S.; Niriella, M.A.; Miththinda, J.K.N.D.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Dassanayake, A.S.; de Silva, A.P.; de Silva, H.J.INTRODUCTION: Dengue infections (Dl) have a diverse clinical spectrum ranging from asymptomatic illness to severe dengue. Unusual manifestations such as encephalitis, myocarditis, and acute liver failure (ALF) are increasingly recognised. AIMS: To describe the spectrum of liver dysfunction and identify possible predictors of ALF in DI Methods: Serologically confirmed patients with Dl admitted to university medical unit, Ragama from January 2009 to March 2010 were included. Data were obtained from patient records. Results: Out of 240 patients (maleifemale 57.7%:42.5%; mean age 35.6 years[SD 15.4 years]], 49(20.4%) had severe dengue, 164(68.3%) had dengue with warning signs and 27(11.2%) had dengue without warning signs. Abdominal pain, persistent nausea and vomiting (PNV), skin or mucosal bleeding, hepatomegaly and ascites was present in 52.1%J 38.3%, 16.2%, 50% and 11.7% cases respectively. Deranged AST or ALT(ASTALT), serum bilirubin(SB), alkaline phosphatase(ALP), gamma glutamyl transpeptide(GGT), and 1NR were observed in 86.7%, 8.3%, 7.5%, 25% and 10% of patients respectively. Of the 240 patients 41(17.1%) had ASTALT>1000 IU and 199(82.9%) had ASTALT<1000 1U. Only 16/41 patients with ASTALT>1000 IU developed ALF while none from the ASTALT<1000 IU group developed ALF. Presence of 2 or more of elevated SB, elevated ALP or PNV predicted the development of ALF with 93.8% sensitivity, 98.7% specificity, 83.3% positive predictive value and 99% negative predictive value withp<0.001. CONCLUSIONS: ASTALT<1000 IU excluded patients at risk of ALF. Presence of 2 or more of PNV, elevated SB or ALP in patients with Dl may indicate impending ALF. This needs further validation in a larger population.Item Prevalence of eosinophilic oesophagitis among adult Sri Lankan patients with refractory upper gastrointestinal symptoms - a prospective study(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2012) Ranawaka, C.K.; de Silva, A.P.; Hewavisenthi, S.J.; Jayathilake, T.M.A.H.; de Alwis, W.R.S.INTRODUCTION: Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) is increasing in the West (community prevalence 0.02-1%), and is especially prevalent among patients with refractory upper gastrointestinal (UGI) symptoms (about 6.5-40%). Diagnosis is important as the treatment is with corticosteroids and other immunomodulators rather than acid suppression and prokinetics. EOE has been poorly studied in Asian populations. AIMS: To study the prevalence of EoE among adult Sri Lankan patients with refractory UGI symptoms. Methods: The study was carried out in the University Medical Unit of the Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama. Over a period of one year from March 2011, consecutive, consenting patients (aged 18-70) referred for gastroduodenoscopy (OGD), with persistent UGI symptoms despite standard therapy for at least two months, were included. All patients underwent OGD with two biopsies each from the distal and mid oesophagus. A diagnosis of EoE was made when there were 15 or more intra-epithelial eosinophils per high-power field, according to international guidelines. RESULTS: 106 patients (M: F= 42:64 mean age 48 yrs (SD 13.3) were recruited. Common symptoms were refractory dyspepsia, gastro-oesophageal reflux and dysphagia in74, 64, 27 patients respectively. Endoscopy was macroscopically normal in 97 patients, and suggestive of EoE in 7; concentric mucosal rings in 3 and white exudates in 4 patients. Only 2 (1.9%) patients had histological evidence of EoE, one of whom had compatible macroscopic endoscopic features. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of EoE in this Sri Lankan cohort of adult patients with refractory UGI symptoms was much lower than reported in western series.Item Validation of Sinhala version of the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ) and evaluation of health related quality of fife among patients with cirrhosis in Sri Lanka(Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2013) Miththinda, J.K.N.D.; Ranawaka, C.K.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Dassanayake, A.S.; de Alwis, W.R.S.; Mufeena, M.N.F.; Senanayake, S.M.; Niriella, M.A.; de Silva, A.P.; de Silva, H.J.AIMS: Our aim was to validate a Sinhala version of the CLDQ (sCLDQ) and to test its correlation with the degree of liver dysfunction in a cohort of Sri Lankan cirrhotics. METHODS: A standard method was used to translate the CLDQ to Sinhala. Pilot testing was done and relevant cultural and language adaptations made. The final version was self-administered to stable chronic liver disease (CLD) patients, together with the WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) validated Sinhala version, for comparison. The sCLDQ was re-administered 4 weeks later to test internal consistency and reliability. The validation was assessed using Cronabach's alpha, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Pearson's correlation coefficient. ANOVA and Pearson's correlation were used to test correlation with the degree of liver dysfunction. RESULTS: Validation was done with 48 subjects, mean age 55.6 (SD 10) years; male 79%. Item total correlations of sCLDQ varied from 0.30-0.82. Overall Cronabach's alpha was 0.92. Re-administration of sCLDQ yielded an ICC of 0.54 (p=0.02). There was a significant correlation between sCLDQ and WHOQOL-BREF (r=0.34; p=0.03). Validated sCLDQ xvas administered to a different cohort of 202 cirrhotics with mean age of 55.3 years (SD 10,5); male 77%; mean duration of cirrhosis 2.7 years (SD 2.9) years. Higher Child class (F=0.000; p-0.017) and hyponatraemia (r=0.2I3; p=0.005) were associated with worse sCLDQ scores. There was no significant association between sCLDQ score and MELD (r=-0.128, p=0.072). CONCLUSIONS: The sCLDQ is a reliable and valid tool to assess QOL of Sri Lankan cirrhotics and it correlates with known indices of disease severity.Item Profile of gastric varices among Sri Lankan cirrhotics(Wiley Blackwell Scientific Publications, 2012) Ranawaka, C.K.; Mettananda, K.C.D.; de Alwis, R.; Miththinda, J.K.N.D.; Wijewantha, H.S.; Niriella, M.A.; Dassanayake, A.S.; de Silva, A.P.; de Silva, H.J.BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Gastric varices (GV) can result in life threatening bleeding with a higher mortality than esophageal varices. There have been no studies on the characteristics of GV among Sri Lankan cirrhotics. Aim of this study was to perform a descriptive analysis of GV among a cohort of Sri Lankan cirrhotic population. METHODS: We analyzed medical records of all upper gastrointestinal endoscopies performed on cirrhotics, at the University Endoscopy Unit, Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka from 2006 to 2011. Characteristics of GV, demographics, indications and fi ndings at endoscopy were analyzed and they were compared among patients with Oesophageal varices (EV). RESULTS: Out of 641 cirrhotics screened, 628 had a complete data set for analysis. GV was detected in 70 (11%) patients; male:female 8.7:1.3; mean age 55 (SD = ± 10.7) years. From these 48/70 had EV (Gastro Oesophageal Varices GOV1 – 18/48, GOV2 – 30/48) in addition to GV. Only 22/70 had Isolated GV (IGV1–10, IGV2–12). Among patients with GV 38 (54%) had portal hypertensive gastropathy and 3 (4%) had gastric antral vascular ectasia. Nineteen (27%) of GV were detected on presentations with UGIB (6 with IGV, 13 with GOV), whereas 51 (73%) were detected on routine screening. EV was detected in 288 (46%) of cirrhotics (Isolated EV 240, GOV 48). Seventy seven (32%) of EV were detected on presentations with UGIB, whereas 163 (68%) were detected on routine screening. There was no statistically significant difference on presentation with UGIB between isolated EV (77/240) vs. IGV (6/22) patients (p = 0.64; χ2 = 0.2). CONCLUSION: The profi le of GV among our cirrhotics is comparable to previous reports from other centres. Findings suggest that in cirrhotic patients presenting with UGIB, a careful search for the presence of GV is as important as identifying EV, even among patients who have EV.