Journal Issue: Volume: 23, No 2, Issue 90 (APRIL - JUNE), 2025
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Volume
Number
Issue Date
2025
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
1812-2027
Journal Volume
Articles
Thyroid Cancer - Rising Incidence and Healthcare Challenges in Nepal
(Kathmandu University, 2025) Shrestha, BL
NA
Determinants of Hypertension among Middle-aged and Elderly Populations: A Study from Myanmar
(Kathmandu University, 2025) Htike, KM; Thammasarn, K; Mahato, RK
ABSTRACT
Background
Hypertension is a growing global health concern, particularly in low- and middle-
income countries (LMICs), driven by demographic shifts, urbanization and lifestyle
changes. Myanmar has a 30.1% national wide prevalence, however, data on
determinants and management remain limited.
Objective
To assess the prevalence and associated factors of hypertension among middle-aged
and elderly populations in Yangon, Myanmar, to inform strategies for prevention and
management.
Method
A cross-sectional study of 512 individuals aged 40 years and older in Yangon,
Myanmar, was conducted from May to November 2024 using multistage random
sampling. Statistical analyses including the Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM)
using logistic regression were performed using STATA 18.0 to identify the factors
associated with hypertension.
Result
The prevalence of hypertension was 27.54% (95% CI: 23.83-31.58), with a higher
prevalence among individuals aged ≥60 years. Risk factors included aged ≥60 years
(AOR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.27-3.70), palm oil usage (AOR: 3.67, 95% CI: 2.05-6.59), current
alcohol consumption (AOR: 2.35, 95% CI: 1.19-4.62), elevated waist circumference
(AOR: 2.93, 95% CI: 1.80-4.77), chronic illness (AOR: 3.24, 95% CI: 2.08-5.05) and
consuming of plant-based protein for 3–7 days per week (AOR: 1.79, 95% CI: 1.13-
2.83).
Conclusion
Hypertension is prevalent among middle-aged and elderly adults in Yangon with
significant associations identified for age, dietary habits, waist circumference
and chronic illness. Interventions focusing on lifestyle modifications, dietary
improvements, and targeted health education are essential to mitigate the
hypertension burden in this population.
KEY WORDS
Cross-sectional study, Hypertension, Myanmar
Quality of Life in Individuals with Tinnitus
(Kathmandu University, 2025) Dhakal, A; Shrestha, BL; Pokharel, M; Pradhan, A; Shrestha, S
ABSTRACT
Background
Tinnitus, the perception of sound without an external acoustic stimulus, significantly
impacts quality of life (QoL) and is often associated with hearing loss. Despite its
prevalence, the psychosocial burden of tinnitus remains understudied in many
populations.
Objective
This study evaluates tinnitus-related handicap and its association with emotional and
social well-being in order to enhance treatment approaches.
Method
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 114 patients presenting
with tinnitus at Dhulikhel Hospital, Nepal. The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) was
used to assess severity, categorized as slight, mild, moderate, severe, or catastrophic.
Audiometric evaluations classified hearing loss as conductive or sensorineural.
Pearson’s chi-square test was performed using SPSS version 21, with significance set
at p < 0.05.
Result
The median age of participants was 40 years (IQR: 20.25), with a female predominance
(60.5%). Hearing loss was present in 50% of participants, predominantly
sensorineural (82.8%) and bilateral (62.1%). Tinnitus Handicap Inventory scores
indicated moderate handicap in 37.5%, severe in 15.8%, and catastrophic in 5.0%.
No significant association was found between Tinnitus Handicap Inventory severity
and age, sex, or hearing loss type. However, participants with hearing loss had nearly
three times higher likelihood of being severe-to-catastrophic handicap [COR: 2.74,
95% CI: 1.25 – 5.99] (p-value = 0.011).
Conclusion
Tinnitus imposes a substantial psychosocial burden, particularly in individuals with
concurrent hearing loss. The findings highlight the need for early psychological
intervention and multidisciplinary management to mitigate tinnitus-related distress
and improve quality of life.
KEY WORDS
Hearing loss, Psychosocial impact, Quality of life, Tinnitus, Tinnitus handicap inventory
Knowledge and Attitude of Undergraduate Students on Use of Topical Corticosteroids in a Medical School in Nepal: A cross-sectional study
(Kathmandu University, 2025) Shrestha, U; Shakya Shrestha, S; Shrestha Manandhar, JT; Shrestha, R
ABSTRACT
Background
Topical corticosteroids are widely used for their anti-inflammatory and
immunosuppressive properties. However, proper knowledge of health professionals
is key to appropriate and rational use of such topical corticosteroids to minimize
multitude of their adverse effects.
Objective
To study knowledge and attitude of medical students regarding use of topical
corticosteroid use.
Method
A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2024 - November 2024,
among the undergraduate students of Kathmandu University, School of Medical
Sciences. A total of 387 students were included in the study. The students were
surveyed using a structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using
Statistical Package for Social Science version 21.
Result
Among 387 participants 217 (44.2%) were male and 171 (55.8%) were female. The
mean (± SD) age of the patients was 21.73 years (± 2.06). The highest number of
participants - 258 (66.7%) - were aware about atopic dermatitis as the most common
indication of topical corticosteroids. Majority of the participants - 350 (90.4%) agreed
that topical corticosteroids can cause cutaneous adverse effects. Similarly most of
the participants 324 (83.7%) agreed that topical corticosteroids can produce systemic
adverse effects as well. Likewise, most of the participants, 287 (74.2%), were aware
of the fact that treatment with topical corticosteroids should not be stopped abruptly
or without medical guidance.
Conclusion
Majority of the students had reasonable knowledge and attitude towards the use
of Topical corticosteroids. However more than half were unaware of some topical
adverse effects of Topical corticosteroids. Adequate educational training should
be provided to future doctors regarding proper prescribing and usage of topical
corticosteroids.
KEY WORDS
Adverse effects, Attitude, Knowledge, Medical students, Topical corticosteroids
Serum Uric Acid and its Correlation with Inflammation in Hypertension, a Hospital Based Case-control Study
(Kathmandu University, 2025) Baskota, D; Bhattarai, N
ABSTRACT
Background
Our lifestyle has a significant impact on levels of serum uric acid. We have attempted
to correlate the patients’ uric acid levels with predictors of inflammation, such as
CRP, obesity and dyslipidemia among hypertensive cases.
Objective
To investigate the association of uric acid with systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood
pressure, body mass index and waist circumference in essential hypertension. To
correlate uric acid with C-reactive protein, fasting blood sugar, serum creatinine,
triglycerides, high densityhigh-density lipoprotein- cholesterol andcholesterol and
total cholesterol.
Method
This hospital-based case-control study included 280 participants and 150 were
hypertensive cases and 130 were normotensive controls. Anthropometric
measurements including waist circumference and blood pressure were taken.
Body mass index was calculated from height and weight. Blood was collected for
total cholesterol, triglyceride, C-reactive protein, high density lipoprotein, uric
acid, creatinine and fasting blood sugar. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24, with
associations examined through Spearman’s rho correlation, interquartile range and
median. Categorical variables each were compared between groups using χ2 test.
Result
The predictors of inflammation like waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood
pressure, body mass index, uric acid and triglyceride were significantly high among
hypertensives; (p=0.000). High density lipoprotein was low among hypertensives
(p=0.000). Uric acid showed significant positive correlation with waist circumference
in females (p=0.000), but not in males. Body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood
pressure, C-reactive protein, triglyceride and low high density lipoprotein, showed
significant positive correlation with uric acid ; (p=0.000). A significant positive
correlation of uric acid was seen with creatinine, (p=0.005). Fasting blood sugar and
Total cholesterol failed to show any association with uric acid.
Conclusion
This study demonstrated that there is a strong correlation between serum uric acid
and the metabolic predictors of inflammation, such as hypertension, C-reactive
protein, triglyceride, low high density lipoprotein, high body mass index, high waist
circumference, and serum creatinine, as shown by other studies that imply the
interplay between metabolic disorders and inflammation.
KEY WORDS
C-reactive protein, Dyslipidemia, Hypertension, Inflammation, Uric acid