Journal Issue: Volume: 23, No. 02, Issue 67 Apr-Jun, 2025
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Volume
23
Number
Issue Date
2025
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
1999-6217
Journal Volume
Volume: 23 (2025)
(23)
Articles
Addressing Health Risks of Climate Change through Digital Transformation in Nepal
(Nepal Health Research Council, 2025) Dhimal, Meghnath; Joshi, Pramod; Braa, Jørn
NA
Antidiabetic and Metabolic Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus or Hyperglycemia – A Systematic Meta-Review and Meta-Analysis
(Nepal Health Research Council, 2025) Amgain, Kapil; Shah, Richa; Noh, Siti Munirah Md; Shrestha, Shamsher; Aryal, Bijay; Joshi, Lok Raj; Neupane, Sujana; Rahman, Shamima Abdul
Abstract:
Background: Curcumin, the primary bioactive compound in turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn.), has demonstrated potential benefits in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hyperglycemia. This systematic meta-review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of turmeric in improving glycemic control, lipid profiles, and other metabolic markers in the patients with T2DM or hyperglycemia.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across seven electronic databases to identify relevant studies published up to December 2023. Inclusion criteria focused on randomized controlled trials included in systematic reviews or meta-analyses assessing curcumin’s effects on metabolic markers. Data were extracted systematically, and the methodological quality of included reviews was assessed using AMSTAR-2. Meta-analyses were performed using STATA 17 to synthesize outcomes for fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profiles, and other markers, employing random-effects models to account for heterogeneity.
Results: Thirteen systematic reviews and meta-analyses of 63 unique randomized controlled trials involving 3706 human participants met the inclusion criteria. The pooled analysis revealed that curcumin significantly reduced FBG (mean difference [MD] = - 6.30 mg/dL; 95% CI: - 9.33, - 3.27), HbA1c (MD = - 0.31%; 95% CI: - 0.57, - 0.05), low - density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (MD = - 5.95 mg/dL; 95% CI: - 9.43, - 2.47), and triglycerides (TG) (MD = -12.88 mg/dL; 95% CI: - 20.09, - 5.67) while increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (MD = 1.46 mg/dL; 95% CI: 0.37, 2.56). No significant effects were observed on total cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index, blood urea nitrogen, or creatinine levels. Heterogeneity across studies was high but consistent with meta-analytical expectations for diverse populations and interventions.
Conclusions: Curcumin supplementation shows statistically significant improvements in glycemic control and lipid profiles in individuals with T2DM or hyperglycemia, supporting its potential as an adjunct therapy. However, its effects on renal markers, blood pressure, and body weight remain inconclusive. Moreover the efficacy of the crude powder of turmeric remain unexplored. Future trials should address long-term efficacy and safety to optimize the therapeutic role of curcumin and turmeric powder in diabetes management.
Carbapenemase Producing Multi Drug Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae from a Referral Hospital in Nepal
(Nepal Health Research Council, 2025) Shrestha, Shova; Ghimire, Prakash; Kattel, Hari Prasad; Sharma, Sangita; Banjara, Megha Raj
Abstract:
Background: This study aimed to assess the antimicrobial resistance rates of Acinetobacter species and Pseudomonas species isolated from clinical samples in an Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) surveillance site in Gandaki Province, Nepal.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of data from an AMR surveillance site was extracted and analyzed, covering the time period from January 2020 to June 2024. A total of 575 Acinetobacter species and 687 Pseudomonas species were identified, with varying numbers tested for susceptibility against different antibiotics. Resistance rates were calculated for each pathogen-antibiotic combination.
Results: Resistance in Acinetobacter species was observed in 49.9% of isolates to amikacin and 42.7% to gentamicin, whereas Pseudomonas species showed resistance rates of 21.2% and 18.5%, respectively. Resistance to piperacillin–tazobactam was identified in 54.0% of Acinetobacter species and 24.6% of Pseudomonas species. Notably, 80.3% of Acinetobacter species and 62.6% of Pseudomonas species were resistant to ceftazidime, while carbapenem resistance was observed in 59.3% of Acinetobacter species and 14.8% of Pseudomonas species. Norfloxacin resistance was observed in 38.3% of Acinetobacter species and 43.5% of Pseudomonas species, whereas only 4.0% of Acinetobacter species and 11.4% of Pseudomonas species isolates were resistance to tigecycline. Resistance rates varied across sample types, with Acinetobacter species from respiratory samples and Pseudomonas species from urine samples exhibiting the highest resistance.
Conclusions: The study underscores alarming levels of antimicrobial resistance in Acinetobacter species and Pseudomonas species. Acinetobacter species demonstrated higher resistance to most antibiotics compared to Pseudomonas species. The variation in resistance patterns across sample types highlights the need of infection site and pathogen-specific antibiotic stewardship strategies.
Profile of Sexual Assault among Children’s Examined Under One Stop Crisis Management Center
(Nepal Health Research Council, 2025) Singh, Pankaj Kumar; Karki, Anish; Gosain, Rajash
Abstract:
Background: Sexual assault is one of the most traumatic crimes which leaves a deep mental and emotional scar in the victim’s life. Mostly girls are the victims of sexual assault whereas boys are also victimized but are few in number. This heinous incidence hampers the normal growth and development of a growing child making them vulnerable to psychiatric disorder, drug abuse disorder and anti-social conducts in adult. This study aims at identifying the incidence of child sexual abuse in different municipal areas of Kavrepalanchok district of Nepal
Methods:This is a retrospective study in which data of sexual assault victim less than 18 years presented at emergency department of Dhulikhel Hospital, KUSMS through One-stop Crisis Management Center (OCMC) by the investigating authority was studied. The data from 2076/09/01 B.S. to 2080/12/30 B.S. was included in the study. Total of 127 cases were studied.
Results: Mandandeupur rural municipality reported highest number of child victims of sexual assault i.e., 14.17%. Out of 127 victims, 4 of them were male and rests were female. Most of the victims (74.01%) were of 12-18 years age. Most of the perpetrators (51.18%) were strangers to the victim. The cases of sexual assault with children occurred mostly in the places other than house (45.66%). More than one fourth of the victims (26.77%) sustained some type of bodily injuries.
Conclusions: Sexual assault among children is predominant among females and mostly between the teenager age group with perpetrators being stranger to the victim Psychological screening of the potential pedophiles could lead to minimizing the incidence of child sexual assault and abuse. Psychosocial counseling to the victim is must to prevent the devastating psychological effects of sexual abuse.
Reliability and Validity of the Modified Mini Cog: A Measure for Screening Cognitive Functions in Literates and Non-literates
(Nepal Health Research Council, 2025) Adhikari, Shambhu Prasad; Mahat, Reetu; Bajagain, Sapana; Shrestha, Nistha; Donkelaar, Paul van
Abstract:
Background: The original Mini Cog was modified to make it applicable to non-literates as well. However the reliability and validity of the modified mini cog (MMC) has not been examined. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the intra- and inter-rater reliability, criterion validity, sensitivity and specificity of the MMC.
Methods: In this methodological and repeated measures design, elderly individuals (>60 years) with no neurological diagnosis or adults (>18 years) with neurological diagnosis were recruited from a tertiary hospital and the local community using purposive and snowball sampling. One of the raters administered the MMC twice (one week apart). Another rater administered the MMC and the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS) once during the first assessment session.
Results: The ICC for consistency of a rater across the tests and absolute agreement between two raters ranged from 0.97-0.99. The MMC scores of two raters were not significantly different. The MMC was able to differentiate between elderly participants with no neurological diagnosis and adult participants with neurological diagnosis. A significant correlation (Coefficients: 0.52-0.68) was found between the MMC and RUDAS. The sensitivity and specificity of the MMC were 86% and 70% respectively. The cutoff score of the MMC was found ? 3.
Conclusions: We demonstrated an excellent intra- and inter-rater reliability, and adequate criterion validity, sensitivity and specificity of the MMC. The MMC was also able to discriminate various groups having varied level of cognitive dysfunction. However, further studies are warranted to get more insight into the value of this instrument.