Browsing by Author "Gautam, Kalyan"
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Publication Association of Resting Blood Pressure Levels with Pain Sensitivity Parameters among Medical Students(Institute of Medicine, 2025) Khakurel, Gita; Kharel, Sushil; Karki, Prabin Kumar; Gautam, KalyanABSTRACT Introduction: Pain perception varies among individuals and is influenced by multiple physiological factors, including blood pressure. The present study aimed to assess the association of resting blood pressure with pain sensitivity parameters among medical students of a medical college. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study done in first and second year medical students aged 17-25 years. Pain sensitivity was assessed by the Cold Pressor Test. Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to determine the association between blood pressure and pain sensitivity parameters. Data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics, with a significance level set at p<0.05. Results: Resting systolic blood pressure increased significantly in both sexes (Males:123.13±5.40 to 126.93±3.97; Females:113.35±8.26 to 119.76±5.67) following cold pressor test, while diastolic BP rose significantly only in females. Males had significantly higher pain threshold (23.32±3.00 vs 20.06 ± 4.15) and pain tolerance (92.18±14.06 vs 65.46±12.81) compared to females, while females reported significantly higher pain ratings (6.57±1.64 vs 5.32±1.08) on the visual analog scale (p<0.05). A significant positive correlation was observed between resting blood pressure and both pain threshold and pain tolerance in both males and females. In contrast, pain rating showed a significant negative correlation with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in males (r = –0.247 and –0.343, p = 0.020 and 0.001, respectively) and females (r = –0.320 and –0.504, p = 0.004 and <0.001, respectively). Conclusion: This study shows an inverse relationship between resting blood pressure and pain sensitivity, with stronger associations observed in females. The study also highlights sex-based differences in both pain perception and physiological response to cold-induced stress. Keywords: Blood pressure; cold pressor test; medical students; pain sensitivityPublication Diurnal Variability of Peak Expiratory Flow Rate in Healthy Adult Employees of a Medical College of Kathmandu(Institute of Medicine, 2021) Khakurel, Gita; Gautam, Kalyan; Chalise, SanatABSTRACT Introduction: Peak expiratory flow measurement is a simple measure of respiratory capacity to diagnose airflow obstruction and monitor treatment response in patients with pulmonary diseases. But there is wide diurnal variability in its values. The objectives of this study was to determine the diurnal variability of peak expiratory flow rate in healthy adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in employees of Kathmandu Medical College, Duwakot between March to August 2020. A total of 74 subjects of 30-45 years were included in the study. After adequate training, subjects were asked to record their own peak expiratory flow five times a day by Mini-Wright peak flow meter. Diurnal variability was expressed as amplitude percent mean and standard deviation percent mean. Data analysis was done by student’s unpaired t-test and one-way ANOVA. Results: The mean peak expiratory flow rate (in L/min) were lowest in morning (male: 478.75±45.91; female: 362.86±20.51) followed by progressive rise throughout the day and highest at evening (male: 531.88 ±43.95; female: 415.71±20.97) with slight fall at bedtime (male: 486.88±46.38; female: 362.86±20.51). The difference in peak expiratory flow rate at different time periods was statistically significant in both males and females (p<0.001). The diurnal variability as calculated by amplitude percent mean and standard deviation percent mean were found to be significantly higher in females (p=0.001 and 0.004 respectively). Conclusion:There is a variation of peak expiratory flow rate recorded during different time points of the day in healthy adults. Keywords: Diurnal variation, peak expiratory flow rate, spirometry