Browsing by Author "Sharma, B"
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Publication Evaluation of Risk Factors for Laryngopharyngeal Reflux among Sikkimese Population(Kathmandu University, 2017) Kesari, SP; Chakraborty, S; Sharma, BABSTRACT Background Laryngopharyngeal reflux is a global health problem and is associated with a huge economic burden and decreased quality of life. Studies describing the epidemiology of laryngopharyngeal reflux are sparse in India and south east Asia. This study becomes significant as it is being conducted in Sikkimese population who resides in high altitude have a different lifestyle. Objective To evaluate the risk factors for laryngopharyngeal reflux among Sikkimese origin. Method Patients of Sikkimese origin visiting Ear Nose Throat outpatient department Were administered with validated questionnaire. The patients were further subjected to validate Reflux symptom Index score. Indirect laryngoscopy was performed to calculate reflux finding score. Presence of laryngopharyngeal reflux was identified with patients having reflux symptom index and reflux finding score of greater or equal to 13 or more and 7 or more. Result Out of 200 subjects analysed, there were 77(38.5%) male and 123(61.5%) female. Heartburn and regurgitation were the most common symptom among the masses. Hoarseness and frequent throat clearance were the commonest laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms. Various risk factors were computed as mentioned in the results column. Conclusion Study on the above mentioned population differed from rest of the country in terms of dietary habits. Fermented food was found to be one of the important risk factor for the development of laryngopharyngeal reflux in the sikkimise population. KEY WORDS Laryngopharyngeal reflux, risk factors, reflux finding score, reflux symptom Index, sikkimese populationPublication Liver Function Parameters and Validation of Health-Related Quality of Life Assessment of β-Thalassemia Cases at a Tertiary Care Hospital, Lumbini Province, Nepal(Kathmandu University, 2025) Gautam, N; Risal, P; Gupta, RT; Agrawal, KK; Chaudhary, D; Paudel, MS; Adhikari, B; Pokhrel, BR; Tamang, B; Shrestha, J; Sharma, B; Ghimire, SABSTRACT Background Individuals affected by β-thalassemia experience complications such as hepatic hemosiderosis and fibrosis due to frequent blood transfusions, which can lead to iron overload. Multiple blood transfusion burdens in thalassemia, particularly in low- income countries, impact health-related quality of life. Objective Liver function parameters and health-related quality of life were assessed using Nepali version 36 short-form survey instruments to reveal the vitality, physical, mental, emotional, pain, general health, and social functioning of β-thalassemia cases. Method In this cross-sectional study, forty β-thalassemia cases who had visited the Universal College of Medical Sciences tertiary care teaching hospital of Lumbini Province, Nepal were enrolled. The hemoglobin variant band percentage was estimated by D-10 BioRad high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Mentzer Index (Mean Cell Volume by Red Blood Cell count) by Beckman hematological analyzer, and serum liver parameters (Bilirubin, Total protein, Albumin, Alanine aminotransferase, Aspartate aminotransferase, Alkaline phosphatase) were estimated by using Diatron fully automated analyzer. The internal consistency of the Nepali version of 36 short- form survey instruments was checked by Cronbach`s alpha was found to be > 0.70 from the recoded value. Data are analyzed using the STATA/MP14, and ANOVA and t-test are applied to test the significance considering p-value < 0.05. Result The frequency of the β-thalassemia Trait (60%) was higher than β-thalassemia Major (30%) and 7.5% β-thalassemia Intermedia co-morbidities with Sickle cell (2.5%) and β/δ variants (2.5%). Higher frequency was found in ethnic groups Muslim (32.5%) followed by Terai indigenous-Tharu (30%) and Madheshi (27.5%). The transfusion- dependent cases have significantly higher Total, Direct, Indirect Bilirubin, and Alkaline phosphatase levels than non-transfusion dependent cases (p<0.001). The physical functioning, general health, emotional health, and vitality were significantly decreased in β-thalassemia Major as compared to β-thalassemia Trait (p<0.001), and significantly correlated with Mentzer index and HPLC patterns (HBA2/HBF) (p<0.05). Conclusion Transfusion dependent β-thalassemia Major and Intermedia had elevated Bilirubin and Alkaline phosphatase levels as compared to non-transfusion dependent β-thalassemia Trait, exacerbating health-related quality of life, emphasizing the preventable disparities for optimized transfusion protocols and psychosocial support. KEY WORDS β-thalassemia, Health-related quality of life, Liver function testsPublication Smoking Habit among Male Medical and Dental Students of B.P.Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Nepal(Kathmandu University, 2013) Ghimire, A; Sharma, B; Niraula, SR; Devkota, S; Pradhan, PMSABSTRACT Background Smoking and health are intimately related and thus, smoking among future health care personnel is an important issue. As future physicians and dentists who will witness the continued burden of smoking-related diseases among their patients, represent a primary target for smoking prevention programs. Objectives To explore the magnitude of smoking problem and assess the major causes aggravating the burden of smoking among medical and dental students. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted between June and July 2009 among 345 medical and dental students. Pre-tested self-administered questionnaire containing questions regarding smoking and its various correlates were used to collect the data. Chi square test was used for testing hypothesis. Results Prevalence of smoking was estimated as 38.4%, among whom majority started smoking during 15 to 19 years of life. Peer pressure was the major cause behind smoking (29.5%). Nearly one third of the participants used to consume alcohol along with smoking. Presence of parental smoking and use of other drugs were significantly associated with smoking among the students. Conclusion Tobacco smoking is a significant health problem among the male medical and dental students. Medical and dental students were approached as they are the treatment providers for smoking and disease related to it in the future. The results in our study are discouraging and reveal that the medical knowledge regarding ill effects of smoking has not been able to check its use. KEY WORDS Medical and dental students, smoking