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This repository contains the published and unpublished research of the Faculty of Medicine by the staff members of the faculty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 The establishment of a population-specific reference value for the ruler drop test for the clinical assessment of reaction time(Elsevier, 2023) Rajapaksha, S.; Kitulwatte, I.; Senarathne, U.; Edirisinghe, A.; Perera, P.BACKGROUND: Reaction time (RT) is the interval between a stimulus and an appropriate voluntary response in an individual. Alcohol is known to result in delayed RT. In Sri Lanka, an alleged drunken driver is legally subjected to a medico-legal examination to confirm or exclude impairment. The guideline for examining a drunk person in Sri Lanka includes the ruler drop test (RDT) as a test of RT. RDT is a simple test of visual reaction time in which the subject attempts to stop a falling ruler, and the height fallen is used to determine the time taken to react to the event. However, a formal study has yet to be carried out to establish population-specific reference values to interpret RDT results. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using 903 adults ≥18 years. A nonparametric approach was applied for deriving the reference values based on an inter-percentile interval. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 56.6% females, and the mean age of the participants was 41.6 years. Most (95%) of the study population could catch the ruler at or less than 40.0 cm of average height. The average height on RDT increased from younger to older age groups. However, subgrouping based on other variables, including sex, age, and alcohol consumption, did not show any statistically significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: The population-specific cut-off limit to identify alcohol intoxication by RDT in a Sri Lankan adult is 'average height' >40 cm.Item Identification of patients with type 2 diabetes with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease who are at increased risk of progressing to advanced fibrosis: a cross-sectional study(BMJ Publishing Group Ltd, 2023) Mettananda, C.; Egodage, T.; Dantanarayana, C.; Fernando, R.; Ranaweera, L.; Luke, N.; Ranawaka, C.; Kottahachchi, D.; Pathmeswaran, A.; de Silva, H.J.; Dassanayake, A.S.INTRODUCTION: Identification of advanced hepatic fibrosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is important as this may progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The risk of hepatic fibrosis is especially high among patients with diabetes with NAFLD. Annual screening of patients with diabetes for fatty liver and calculation of Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score and exclusion of significant fibrosis with vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) have been recommended. However, VCTE is expensive and may not be freely available in resource-limited settings. We aim to identify predictors of significant liver fibrosis who are at increased risk of progression to advanced liver fibrosis and to develop a prediction model to prioritise referral of patients with diabetes and NAFLD for VCTE. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This cross-sectional study is conducted among all consenting adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus with NAFLD at the Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka. All patients get the FIB-4 score calculated. Those with FIB-4 ≥1.3 undergo VCTE (with FibroScan by Echosens). Risk associations for progression to advanced liver fibrosis/cirrhosis will be identified by comparing patients with significant fibrosis (liver stiffness measure (LSM) ≥8 kPa) and without significant fibrosis (LSM <8 kPa). A model to predict significant liver fibrosis will be developed using logistic regression. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval has been obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya (P/66/07/2021). Results of the study will be disseminated as scientific publications in reputable journals.Item Epidemiology of goiters in Sri Lanka with Geographic Information System Mapping: population-based cross-sectional study [Author Reply](Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers, 2016) Fernando, R.Author Reply to comments by Mayilvaganan, S. Chekavar, A. Agarwal, A. on “Epidemiology of Goiters in Sri Lanka with Geographic Information System Mapping: Population-based Cross-sectional Study, Fernando, R. et. al.” appeared in World Journal of Endocrine Surgery.2015;7(3):55-59Item Analysis of nutritional status and factors associated with undernutrition in children aged 6-59 months in a rural area of Sri Lanka(Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians, 2019) Samarasekara, G.S.; Mettananda, S.; Punchihewa, P.OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence and factors associated with undernutrition in children aged 6-59 months in a rural area of Sri Lanka. METHOD: A community-based, cross-sectional study was carried out among children aged 6-59 months attending well baby clinics in Dehiattakandiya Medical Officer of Health area from November 2016 to January 2017. Data collection was done using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Weight and height measurements were taken with calibrated instruments. Data analysis was done using logistic regression by SPSS 16.0. RESULTS: Four hundred and sixty four children were recruited having a mean age of 29.3 ±14.6 months; 53% were females. Prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting was 36.4%, 42.9% and 19.0% respectively. The following independent associations were identified: for stunting- low birth weight, breastfeeding beyond 2 years, lower maternal education and paternal smoking; for underweight- birth order more than 2, low birth weight, breastfeeding beyond 2 years, lower maternal education and paternal smoking and alcohol use; for wasting- male sex, low birth weight and paternal smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Low birth weight, prolonged breastfeeding, lower maternal education level and paternal smoking had a significant association with stunting and underweight whilst male sex, low birth weight, and paternal smoking had a significant association with wasting in children aged 6-59 months.Item Breeding habitat distribution of medically important mosquitoes in Kurunegala, Gampaha, Kegalle, and Kandy districts of Sri Lanka and potential risk for disease transmission: A Cross-sectional study(Hindawi Pub. Corp., 2020) Ranasinghe, K.; Gunathilaka, N.; Amarasinghe, D.; Udayanga, L.ABSTRACT: Some arbovirus infections, especially dengue, have increased rapidly over the last few decades in Sri Lanka. Prevalence and distribution of different mosquito species have been limitedly documented, which remains grossly inadequate in providing evidence for potential health risks. In this study, the diversity and species composition of mosquitoes in four selected districts in Sri Lanka (Kurunegala, Gampaha, Kegalle, and Kandy) were investigated. Entomological surveys were conducted from a total of 160 temporary and permanent mosquito breeding habitats identified in the study area from June 2017 to October 2018. Mosquito immature stages were sampled using standard dipping, siphoning, or pipetting methods and identified up to the species level. Percentage relative abundance and habitat characteristics such as species richness, dominance, and Shannon-Weiner diversity were calculated for each surveyed habitat type. Associations between co-occurring species were estimated by Hulbert's coefficient of interspecific association (C8). A total of 4663 mosquito larvae belonging to seven genera and fifteen species of mosquitoes were collected. The relative distribution of mosquito species differed significantly among the four studied districts (X 2 = 143.248; df = 33; P < 0.001). According to Kruskal-Wallis statistics (P < 0.05 at 95% of significance), all diversity indices for immature stages of medically important mosquitoes varied significantly across different breeding sites. Paddy fields had the significantly highest species richness of 4.0 ± 2.82. The coefficients of interspecific association among all the recorded medically important vector mosquitoes were found negative during the present study. The findings of the current study would be useful to identify the entomological potential for disease transmission and facilitate the implementation of appropriate vector control interventions. This would ultimately provide an avenue to improve the personal skills of health staff rather than limiting their knowledge to specified disease vectors, under which the control program is concerned.Item An Audit on completeness of reporting Whipple's specimens(College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka, 2020) Pelzom, T.; Tillakaratne, M.S.B.; Jaleel, M.S.A.; Pathirana, A.; Siriwardana, R.C.INTRODUCTION: This Audit is focused on assessing the completeness of vital information in traditional reports of Whipple's procedure, using the Royal College of Pathologists data sets for pancreatic cancer reporting as the benchmark. We believe a standardized reporting system will take into account significant variables that may impact treatment quality. METHODOLOGY: This is a descriptive cross sectional study. A hundred and forty-three Whipple's histopathological reports were examined and compared to The Royal College of Pathologists data set for reporting of carcinomas of pancreas, ampulla of Vater and common bile duct. RESULTS: The length of the reports varied markedly with the shortest report having 156 words and the longest report having 1095 words. The median word count was 385 words. The frequency of reporting the variables varied too. Type of tumour was documented in 100% of reports whereas variables such as nodal stage and superior mesenteric artery resection margin were reported in only 76.9% and 35% of reports respectively, both having direct implications on prognosis. Further the frequency of reporting of the background pathology was low as 24.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the descriptive nature of the traditional pathological reporting system, some of the significant variables can be missed while converting what is observed in to a report. This may impact adversely in planning adjuvant treatment and evaluation of prognosis after surgery. Adherence to a standardized synoptic reporting system may help to overcome this drawback. KEYWORDS: Whipple's, histopathology, synoptic reporting, pancreatic cancer, survivalItem Histopathology of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania donovani in Sri Lanka.(Hindawi Pub. Co., 2020) Wijesinghe, H.; Gunathilaka, N.; Semege, S.; Pathirana, N.; Manamperi, N.; de Silva, C.; Fernando, D.ABSTRACT: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected tropical disease that is gaining importance in Sri Lanka and internationally. The clinical presentation, pathology, and method of parasite elimination in CL vary according to the species. Leishmania donovani is the causative organism for leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka. This collaborative cross-sectional study describes the clinicopathological features of cutaneous leishmaniasis among personnel of the tri-forces serving in the North and East of the country. The histology of fifty cases of CL confirmed by at least two methods (slit skin smear, lesion aspirate, tissue impression, and histology) was reviewed. The parasitic load was assessed semiquantitatively. The histological features were correlated with the clinical presentation and organism load. The majority (89.8%; n = 44) presented with a single lesion mostly located in the upper limb (69.4%). The lesion types included papule (34.7%), nodule (32.7%), and an ulcer (30.6%). The evolution time of lesions averaged 31.55 weeks. Epidermal changes were observed in 49 of the biopsies and included hyperkeratosis (90.0%; n = 45), acanthosis (44.0%; n = 22), atrophy (34.0%; n = 17), and interface change (66%; n = 33). Dermal changes were seen in all cases and were characterized by a lymphohistioplasmacytic inflammatory infiltrate of variable intensity with ill-formed granuloma in 19 cases (38%) and well-formed epithelioid granulomas in 22 cases (44%). Focal necrosis was present in 20% (n = 10). Leishmania amastigote forms were observed in 88% (n = 44). Transepidermal elimination (P = 0.025), granuloma (P = 0.027) formation, and type of lesion (P = 0.034) were significantly associated with the organism load. Granuloma formation was associated with a reduction in organism load, indicating that the macrophage activation played an important role in the control of the organism.Item Epidemiology of multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Sri Lanka: First evidence of bla KPC harboring Klebsiella pneumoniae.(Elsevier., 2020) Kumudunie, W.G.M.; Wijesooriya, L.I.; Namalie, K.D.; Sunil-Chandra, N.P.; Wijayasinghe, Y.S.BACKGROUND: Extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are disseminated worldwide posing a serious public health concern. Although, the presence of ESBL-PE and CRE in Sri Lanka has been reported, the prevalence is unknown. This study aimed to provide up-to-date epidemiological data on multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and to characterize the molecular determinants of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) in Sri Lanka.METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka between December 2017 and February 2018. ESBL-PE and CRE were identified by disc diffusion method. Carbapenemase production was determined by carbapenem inactivation method and the presence of selected carbapenemase genes were detected by PCR. RESULTS: Five hundred and ninety-three Enterobacteriaceae were isolated from variety of clinical samples. Overall prevalence of ESBL-PE and CRE were 26.0% (n = 154) and 9.6% (n = 57), respectively. The highest rate of ESBL-PE (30.8%) was found in urine samples, while the highest occurrence of CRE (20.8%) was seen in respiratory specimens. The most common CRE species identified was K. pneumoniae (n = 46, 80.7%), followed by C. freundii (n = 4, 7.0%), E. coli (n = 3, 5.3%), P. rettgeri (n = 2, 3.5%), E. cloacae (n = 1, 1.7%), and K. aerogenes (n = 1, 1.7%). Carbapenemase production was observed in 54 (94.7%) of CRE isolates. Fifty eight carbapenemase encoding genes were identified in 54 CPE. The most prevalent carbapenemase gene was blaOXA-48-like (n = 48, 88.9%), followed by blaNDM (n = 8, 14.8%), and blaKPC (n = 2, 3.7%). CONCLUSIONS: This study reports an alarming rate of CRE and the emergence of blaKPC harboring K. pneumoniae in Sri Lanka. The need for preventive measures is highlighted to limit the spread of these difficult-to-treat bacteria in the country. KEYWORDS: Carbapenem resistance; Carbapenemase; ESBL; Enterobacteriaceae; KPC; Sri Lanka.Item Prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis infection and clinico-epidemiological patterns among military personnel in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts of the Northern Province, early war-torn areas in Sri Lanka.(BioMed Central, 2020) Gunathilaka, N.; Semege, S.; Pathirana, N.; Manamperi, N.; Udayanga, L.; Wijesinghe, H.; Premaratne, P.; Fernando, D.BACKGROUND: The 30-year-old armed conflict in Sri Lanka resulted in a general breakdown of civil administration in the Northern and Eastern provinces, leading to mobilisation of many armed forces personnel to assist with reconstruction and resettlement. This occupational group has been identified as a priority risk group for leishmaniasis. METHODS: Individuals enlisted at all military establishments in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts, Northern Province of Sri Lanka were included. Five thousand individuals were screened for skin lesions between September 2018 and August 2019. Persons with lesions suspected as cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) were further investigated. Information on sociodemographic/other potential risk factors was obtained through an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. The diagnosis was confirmed by microscopic visualization of parasitic stages from different samples obtained (skin scraping, lesion aspirate and tissue impression smears), histopathology and polymerase chain reaction DNA amplification. RESULTS: Among 5000 individuals screened, 74 individuals were suspected of having CL. Of these, 67.6% (n = 50) patients were confirmed for CL by microscopy. Around two third of both males (67.6%; n = 48) and females (66.6%; n = 2) were positive for Leishmania. The soldiers belonging to 26-35-year age group reported the highest susceptibility (83.3%; OR: 4.83, 95% CI: 3.49-6.20%). Of the sociodemographic factors, age, wearing short-sleeved upper body clothing as the uniform and non-use of insect repellents were identified as significant risk factors. Most of the CL patients had a single lesion (86.0%; n = 43) of an ulcerative type (34.0%; n = 17), mostly on their upper limb (67.9%; n = 34). Lesions were mostly 5-10 mm diameter (59.9%; n = 30) in size with poorly defined margins (72.0%; n = 36). Amongst the diagnostic techniques, microscopic examination of slit skin smear and tissue impression smear were able to discriminate the majority of patients (92.1%; n = 46) for CL. CONCLUSIONS: In order to highlight the true burden of leishmaniasis in the military personnel, cases of leishmaniasis from military institutes should be recognized as a different entity per say and be included in the national figures so as to depict the real magnitude of the disease burden amongst this high-risk group. KEYWORDS: Clinical; Cutaneous leishmaniasis; Epidemiological; War-torn areas.Item Usage of cloud storage facilities by medical students in a low-middle income country, Sri Lanka: A cross sectional study(BioMed Central, 2020) Hettige, S.; Dasanayaka, E.; Ediriweera, D.S.BACKGROUND: Cloud storage facilities (CSF) has become popular among the internet users. There is limited data on CSF usage among university students in low middle-income countries including Sri Lanka. In this study we present the CSF usage among medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya. METHODS: We undertook a cross sectional study at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. Stratified random sampling was used to recruit students representing all the batches. A self-administrated questionnaire was given. RESULTS: Of 261 (90.9%) respondents, 181 (69.3%) were females. CSF awareness was 56.5% (95%CI: 50.3-62.6%) and CSF usage was 50.8% (95%CI: 44.4-57.2%). Awareness was higher in males (P = 0.003) and was low in senior students. Of CSF aware students, 85% knew about Google Drive and 70.6% used it. 73.6 and 42.1% knew about Dropbox and OneDrive. 50.0 and 22.0% used them respectively. There was no association between CSF awareness and pre-university entrance or undergraduate examination performance. Inadequate knowledge, time, accessibility, security and privacy concerns limited CSF usage. 69.8% indicated that they would like to undergo training on CSF as an effective tool for education. CONCLUSIONS: CSF awareness and usage among the students were 56.5 and 50.8%. Google drive is the most popular CSF. Lack of knowledge, accessibility, concerns on security and privacy limited CSF usage among students. Majority were interested to undergo training on CSF and undergraduate Information Communication Technology (ICT) curricula should introduce CSF as effective educational tools. KEYWORDS: Cloud storage; Dropbox; Google drive; Medical students; Undergraduates.