Browsing by Author "Weerasinghe, G.A.K."

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    Association between asthma and rhinitis
    (Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2010) Amarasekera, N.D.D.M.; Gunawardena, N.K.; de Silva, N.R.; Weerasinghe, G.A.K.
    INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: It has been suggested that'both asthma and allergic rhinitis are manifestations of a single disease and they are related epidemiologically and pathophysiologically. The objective was to assess the relationship between asthma and allergic rhinitis in terms of serum total IgE (tlgE) and allergic sensiti-satipn in children. METHODS: Children attending grade 5 in 17 schools in the Western Province of Sri Lanka were recruited to the study. Data were collected using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire. Their serum total IgE (tlgE) and allergen-specific IgE (slgE) for five common aeroallergens (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinusr Blomia tropicalis, cockroach, cat epithelium and dander, grass pollen) were measured by ImmunoCAP method. RESULTS: A total of 640 schoolchildren were recruited. Their mean age was 10 years (SD ± 0.5) Prevalence (95% CI) of asthma and rhinitis was 17% (13.7-20.3) and 21.4% (17.8-25.1) respectively. Male preponderance was seen for both diseases, but was significant only for rhinitis. Among children with asthma, 44.4% had rhinitis. The geometric mean tlgE level was higher in children with asthma (804.6 kU/L) than with rhinitis (708.9 kU/L), but the difference was not statistically significant. Univariate analysis showed that sensitization to allergens from cat epithelium and dander was strongly associated with rhinitis (OR 2.104, 95% CI 1.1.16 - 3.969, P = 0.022) but not with asthma. CONCLUSION: Asthma and rhinitis appear to be different in our study population with respect to sensitising allergens and gender. The risk factors and development of these two diseases may vary in different populations.
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    The Ragama Health Study: the methodology of the prospective cohort study for the establishment of diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome in Sri Lankans
    (Sri Lanka Medical Association, 2008) Wickremasinghe, A.R.; de Silva, H.J.; de Silva, H.A.; de Silva, N.R.; Kasturiratne, A.; Pinidiyapathirage, J.; Chackrewarthy, S.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Weerasinghe, G.A.K.; Abeyewickreme, W.; Makaya, M.; Mizoue, T.; Kato, N.
    BACKGROUND: Sri Lanka is in the midst of the epidemiologic transition with non-communicable diseases being a leading cause of death and hospitalization. This pilot study is a part of an international study conducted by the International Medical Centre of Japan (IMCJ) in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine, University ofKelaniya. OBJECTIVE; To determine the prevalence of major metabolic disorders and to establish diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome in the Sri Lankan population as a pilot study. DESIGN, SETTING AND METHODS: A random sample of 3500 adults 35-64 years was selected from the electoral register. Houses of selected subjects were visited and the selected subject invited to participate in the study. Subjects were instructed to fast for 12 hours and refrain from smoking and consumption of alcohol overnight prior to presenting at the Family Medicine clinic of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya. At the clinic, subjects were assigned an unique identification number and a detailed history taken and investigations carried out. Heights, weights, blood pressure and waist and hip circumference were measured using standard techniques. Subjects underwent an ultrasound scan of the liver and a sample of blood was obtained for full. blood count, blood picture, lipid profile, serurn insulin, serum alanine transferase, fasting blood sugar and for genetic analysis. Samples of blood for genetic analysis have been stored at -30° C until further analysis. In addition, subjects were administered a food frequency questionnaire and an assessment of daily physical activities recorded. All subjects with abnormal results of investigations are being followed up.