Journal Issue: Volume: 25, No. 3 (2023)
Loading...
Volume
Number
Issue Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Online ISSN: 2676-1424; Print ISSN: 2676-1319
Journal Volume
Articles
BMI and sociodemographic characteristic among patients with tuberculosis attending a DOTS clinic at a tertiary care hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal
(Nepal Medical College Pvt. Ltd., 2023) Shrestha, Supri Raj; Shrestha, Niraj; Dhakal, Nishchal
Abstract:
Tuberculosis (TB), an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a serious public health threat in low- and middle-income countries. In tuberculosis, the sociodemographic aspects play a significant role in increasing the susceptibility to infection. The current study aimed to study the BMI and sociodemographic characteristic among patients with tuberculosis attending a DOTS clinic at a tertiary care hospital of Kathmandu. An observational descriptive cross sectional study using census sampling technique was conducted among 170 persons with tuberculosis coming for ATT drugs in Community Medicine OPD of Nepal Medical College Teaching Hospital. The information was obtained using self-constructed structured questionnaire from the study population. The information regarding socioeconomic characteristics, medical and family history, type and clinical presentation of tuberculosis and anthropometric measurement were taken. Out of 170 tuberculosis patient 93 had pulmonary tuberculosis, 71 had extrapulmonary tuberculosis and 6 had both. The different types of tuberculosis showed the association with occupation of respondents, family types, socioeconomic status, family size, BCG scar and social habits before tuberculosis. Weight loss and cough were most common clinical presentation among the participants whereas lymphnode and gastrointestinal tract were most common sites for extrapulmonary tuberculosis. According to BMI, 16.5% of the study population were underweight. Thus, the present study provides valuable information regarding association of sociodemographic factors with tuberculosis and nutritional status of persons with tuberculosis.
Perceived family support among elderly residing in Gokarneshwor Municipality, Kathmandu
(Nepal Medical College Pvt. Ltd., 2023) Saud, Mithu; Pandey, Shrijana; Lama, Ishwori; Shrestha, Shova
Abstract:
Family support is an essential factor among the elderly to maintain health and wellbeing. Most of the elderly are living with the family and depend on them for care. However support from family has been decreasing with the increasing age. The objective of the study was to assess perceived family support among elderly residing in Gokarneshwor, Kathmandu. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was used for conducting this study among 216 elderly residing in Gokarneshwor Municipality of Kathmandu over a period of July 2022 to October 2022 through non-probability purposive sampling technique. Data collection was done by using face to face interview using valid standard tool for family support scale (FSS). Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 16. The results of this study showed that more than half (55.1%) respondents perceived low family support from their family members. Only 44.9% had high family support. Respondents who had chronic disease were financially dependent perceived low family support. There was significant association between perceived family support and age (p=0.015), educational level (p=0.013) and working elderly (0.001). The study concluded that family support perception from elderly was low and some elderly was perceived high support from their family members. However sleep related care, information and decision making support was perceived less than other variables. Family members should be encouraged to build positive family relationship with elderly and involve them in wise decision making.
Visual functions among amplyopic patients
(Nepal Medical College Pvt. Ltd., 2023) Shrestha, Sabina; Sharma, Dikchhya; Manoranjan, Aparajita; Joshi, Subee; Shrestha, Yuliya
Abstract:
Apart from decreased visual acuity, amblyopia may be associated with alteration in color vision, contrast sensitivity and stereopsis. The study was conducted to assess visual functions among amblyopic patients. Cross sectional observational study was done with appropriate examination. Best corrected visual acuity, color vision, contrast sensitivity and stereopsis were done among 31 amblyopic patients of age 5-18 years, visiting Department of Ophthalmology in Kathmandu Medical College from October 2021 to March 2022. Among thirty-one patients, male is to female ratio was 1.81:1. Mean age of participants was 9.45±3.49 years. Among patients with stimulus deprivation amblyopia, visual acuity was <6/60, color vision and contrast sensitivity were decreased in 100% and moderate stereopsis (80-200 seconds of arc) was present. Among patients with strabismic amblyopia, visual acuity was decreased (6/12-6/18), color vision and contrast sensitivity were normal in 100% and good stereopsis (<60 seconds of arc) was seen. Among those with refractive amblyopia, visual acuity was 6/6-6/9 in 34.5%, 6/12-6/18 in 44.8% and 6/24-6/60 in 20.7%. Color vision was decreased in 27.3% in ametropic, 9.1% in meridional and normal in anisometropic type. Contrast sensitivity was decreased in 27.3% each in ametropic and anisometropic, and in 63.6% in meridional amblyopia. Good and poor (>200 seconds of arc) stereopsis was found in 24.1% each and moderate in 51.7% of refractive amblyopia. Contrast sensitivity was seen to be decreased with decrease in vision (40.0%, 42.8%, 50.0% and 100.0% in visual acuity 6/6-6/9, 6/12-6/18, 6/24-6/60 and<6/60 respectively). To conclude, visual functions are affected in different types of amblyopia.
A hospital-based study of dyslipidemia in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism authors
(Nepal Medical College Pvt. Ltd., 2023) Bhattarai, Richa; Pokhrel, Asmita; Sah, Bishesh; Malla, Pragya; Khanal, Madhav; Banskota, Dristi; Paudel, Manish Prasad
Abstract:
Overt hypothyroidism usually leads to dyslipidemia. The relationship between overt hypothyroidism and dyslipidemia is well established, to that of subclinical hypothyroidism is controversial. Also, Subclinical hypothyroidism if untreated can lead to overt hypothyroidism. So, the present study was conducted to investigate dyslipidema in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism. The study population comprised of total 111 cases having subclinical hypothyroidism and 111 cases of healthy controls. Those with normal T3 and T4 with thyroid stimulating hormone above 4.68 IU/ml were considered subclinical hypothyroidism and were further evaluated for lipid profile. Highest number of participants in the cases belonged to age group 60-71 (36.0%) whereas in control group it was 40-49 years (32.4%). No significant differences were found between lipid parameters between case and control (p >0.05). Serum triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein was positively correlated with thyroid stimulating hormone (r=0.152, r=0.056, r=0.152, respectively and p=0.110, p=0.560, p=0.110, respectively) whereas total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein was negatively correlated with thyroid stimulating hormone in the cases (r=-0.089, r=-0.118, respectively) and the relation was not statistically significant (p=0.351, p=0.216, respectively). Among control group, serum total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein were positively correlated with thyroid stimulating hormone (r=0.197, r=0.196, r=0.132, respectively) whereas triglyceride, very low density lipoprotein were negatively correlated with thyroid stimulating hormone (r=-0.009, r=-0.025, respectively). Subclinical hypothyroidism may or may not lead to dyslipidemia. Even euthyroid group can have lipid abnormalities. So, screening for hyperlipidemia in general population is more useful rather than patients with subclinical hypothyroidism.
High resolution computed tomography chest findings among people affected by corona virus disease in a tertiary hospital of Nepal
(Nepal Medical College Pvt. Ltd., 2023) Kayastha, Rumita; Acharya, Riwaz; Pradhan, Sunil; Tuladhar, Abhushan Siddhi; Shrestha, Amit
Abstract:
Clinical assessment, chest X-ray (CXR) and chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) are used in the management of Corona virus disease-19 (COVID-19). This retrospective cross sectional study included 251 patients admitted to Nepal Medical College Teaching Hospital (NMCTH) with a diagnosis of COVID‑19 infection confirmed by Reverse Transcriptase- Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT‑PCR). These patients underwent chest HRCT within the first two weeks of hospital admission. Images were evaluated for various HRCT findings & semi- quantitative CT Severity Score (CT –SS) was calculated based on the extent of lobar involvement. Out of 251 patients with positive RT PCR test, 127 were male (50.6%) and 124 female (49.4%). Typical bilateral peripheral subpleural ground glass opacities were demonstrated in 98.8% of patients; followed by thoracic lymphadenopathy (80.8%), interlobular septal thickening (80.4%),vascular changes (44.2%), focal consolidation (28.6%), consolidation with ground glass opacity (15%), pleural effusion (13.1%) bronchiectasis (3.8%), fibrotic changes (3.1%) and reversed halo pattern (0.7%). Calculated CT- SS showed moderate score in 130 patients (51.7%) followed by severe score in 67 patients (26.6%) and mild score in 51 patients (20.3%). HRCT can be used as a one stop radiological investigation for the diagnosis and prognosis of corona virus disease and CT -SS might be beneficial for diagnostic workflow in symptomatic cases.