Browsing by Author "Jayasinghe, J.A.G.K."

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    Medical ethics during COVID-19 pandemic: An experience with death investigation.
    (Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine at University of Peradeniya, 2022) Jayasinghe, J.M.Y.K.; Jayasinghe, J.A.G.K.; Perera, W.N.S.; Paranitharan, P.
    Introduction Medical ethics is a key element in the practice of medicine. This study highlights the application and conceptualization of those principles in the process of death investigation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective To identify different ethical principles and their application in deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology Autopsy information of 41 deaths from 2020-2021, which came for inquests with positive Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19 or positive rapid antigen test was analysed. The death investigation process was conceptualized against the ethical principles; justice, autonomy, beneficence, and non-maleficence. Results The majority of deaths (36.59%) were aged between 71-80 years, with less gender disproportion (M:F- 51:48). Home deaths (63.41%) were commoner, while deaths of non-vaccinated people (80.49%) were predominant. PCR was done in <24 hours after death in 36.59% and within 24-48 hours in 58.54%. Comorbidities were present in 78.05%. Cycle threshold (Ct) value <30 group was 75.61% with the primary cause of death being related to COVID-19 infection in 83.87%, while the duration of illness was >3 weeks in 12.9% and 2-3 weeks in 3.23%. Ct value >30 group was 17.07% with COVID-19 infection being a contributory cause of death in 57.14%, while all had a duration of illness of <2 weeks. Conclusion Justice has prevailed in this cohort. The PCR report influences the autonomy in claiming and releasing the bodies to the relatives. A higher Ct value may suggest less infectivity, which may be considered when releasing the body after excluding lung changes in an autopsy. Therefore, more research is needed with regard to Ct values and infectivity of dead bodies.
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    Prevalence of dyspeptic symptoms and associated lifestyle factors among 3rd-year undergraduates in the University of Kelaniya
    (Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2019) Jayasinghe, J.A.P.H.; Jayasinghe, J.A.G.K.; Jayasinghe, L.P.; Jayasinghe, J.A.M.P.; Jayasinghe, H.J.M.U.M.H.; Wangmo, D.; Niriella, M.A.
    INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVES: Dyspepsia includes epigastric discomfort, bloating and post-prandial fullness/early-satiety. Dyspepsia affects daily activities and quality-of-life. We assessed prevalence and associated lifestyle factor of dyspepsia among undergraduates of University of Kelaniya (UoK). METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 3rd-year undergraduates of following faculties of UoK: Commerce & Management (CM), Humanities, Medicine, Science and Social Science (SS). The participants were selected randomly by stratified-cluster-sampling. Demographic data, presence of dyspepsia (Short Form Leeds Questionnaire), dietary habits, smoking & alcohol use, and sleep (WHO STEPS report) and stress levels (Perceived Stress Scale) were collected suing a self-administered questionnaire. Ethical clearance was granted by the Ethics-Review-Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, UoK. RESULTS: 347 (64-CM, 70-Humanities, 70-Medicine, 73-Science and 70-SS) responded. Overall occurrence of dyspepsia was 45.2% (50%- CM, 51.4%-Humanities, 45.7%-Medicine, 26.0%-Science, 54.3%-SS). Dyspepsia was significantly less among Science undergraduates (p<0.05). On bivariate-analysis, Faculty (other than Science) (p<0.01), consumption of fatty foods (daily) (p<0.05), spicy foods (daily) (p<0.01), vegetables (daily) (p <0.05), sleep (<6 hours) (p<0.05), moderate to high stress level (p<0.001), missing breakfast (p<0.05), skipping meals (daily) (p<0.05) were associated with dyspepsia. There was no association of smoking or alcohol habits with dyspepsia. On multivariate-analysis, spicy food (daily) (p<0.05, OR 1.8), missing breakfast (p<0.01, OR 2.1), sleep <6 hours (p<0.05, OR 1.8) and moderate-high stress level (p<0.001, OR 5.6) were found to be independently associated with dyspepsia. CONCLUSION: 45% of undergraduates of UoK had dyspepsia. Daily consumption of spicy food, missing breakfast, sleep <6 hours, and moderate-high stress level were found to be independently associated dyspepsia.