Journal Issue: Volume: 17, No 1, Issue 65, JAN.-MARCH, 2019
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Volume
Number
Issue Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
1812-2027
Journal Volume
Articles
Modification of Kuppuswamy’s Socioeconomic Status Scale in the Context of Nepal, 2019
(Kathmandu University, 2019) Joshi, SK; Acharya, K
NA
Efficacy of Isotretinoin and Antihistamine versus Isotretinoin Alone in the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Acne: A Randomised Control Trial
(Kathmandu University, 2019) Pandey, D; Agrawal, S
ABSTRACT
Background
Acne vulgaris has considerable impact on physical and psychological health.
Isotretinoin is considered most effective drug available for acne therapy but with
limited acceptance because of its adverse effects. Antihistamine inhibits inflammatory
mediators, Propionibacterium acne induced itching, reduction of squalene and
sebum in sebocyte, reduces anxiety and further lessens hormonal derangement and
inhibits mast cell induced fibrosis and scars. Clinical relevance is lacking in the use of
antihistamine in the treatment of acne and its potential efficacy needs to be clarified.
Objective
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of combining isotretinoin and antihistamine
compare to isotretinoin alone in patients with moderate to severe acne at week 12.
Method
One hundred patients with moderate to severe acne were included in this randomised,
controlled comparative study. Fifty patients were treated with isotretinoin and 50
patients were treated with additional antihistamine, levocetirizine and assessment
was done at baseline, 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment.
Result
At week 12, compared to isotretinoin only group, combination of isotretinoin and
levocetirizine group showed more statistically significant decrease in score of global
acne grading system (51.0 vs. 38.5%) and acne lesion counts (non-inflammatory
lesion: 63.2 vs. 44.5%; inflammatory lesions: 75.9 vs. 62.7%; total lesions: 66.07 vs.
48.7%; all p< 0.05). Flaring up of acne occurred less frequently and adverse effects
were more tolerable in levocetirizine group.
Conclusion
Use of antihistamine with isotretinoin provides synergic effect while minimizing the
side effect of isotretinoin and greater clearance of the lesion and scars.
KEY WORDS
Acne, Antihistamine, Isotretinoin, Levocetirizine
Pattern of Blood Component Utilization in Tertiary Care Hospital of Central Nepal
(Kathmandu University, 2019) Koju, S; Karmarcharya, RM; Makaju, R
ABSTRACT
Background
Blood component are essential part of patient and hospital for the safety and
improvement of health care of patient. Proper transfusion is must to avoid the
misuse, overuse and transfusion reaction.
Objective
The main objective of this study was to provide information regarding current utility
of blood component in tertiary care hospital of central Nepal.
Method
In this descriptive study, details of blood components transfused were recorded that
was correlated with patient age, sex, different hospital wards, clinical diagnosis and
pretransfusion hemoglobin for the duration of 6 month
Result
Total blood component utilize were 1,267 for 539 patients. Whole blood was most
utilized blood component that is followed by packed red blood cells. Demand of
Blood product was highest in patient admitted to Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Bleeding
patients due to obstetric and gastrointestinal complication got maximum transfusion
of blood component. Majorly transfusion of Whole Blood and Packed red cell was
done for pre transfusion hemoglobin level that falls in 7 to 10 gm/dl.
Conclusion
Analysis of blood component usage in any hospital with blood bank setup is very
important to improve the blood utilization pattern for transfusion and maintaining
blood stock to meet the future demand of blood component.
KEY WORDS
Blood bank, Blood component, Transfusion
Study on Hanging with Brief Discussion upon Ambiguity in Method of Choice and Gender Differences for Completed Suicide in Existing Literatures in Nepalese Scenario
(Kathmandu University, 2019) Atreya, A; Nepal, S; Kanchan, T
ABSTRACT
Background
Hanging is one of the common forms of violent mechanical asphyxial deaths. When
compared to other forms of unnatural death all over the world this method stands
on top as death is instantaneous. Death due to hanging is always suicidal until and
unless otherwise specified.
Objective
To explore the socio-demographic characteristics in cases of death due to completed
hanging in Nepal.
Method
This prospective study of death due to hanging was conducted during the period of
July 2011 to July 2013. Meticulous autopsy of the body was done in all cases with
bloodless dissection of the neck was carried out.
Result
During the study period medico legal autopsy of 91 cases of death due to hanging
was conducted, out of which 57 (63%) were males and 34 (37%) were females.
Majority of the deceased were suspended at their own house or peri-domestic
settings. Based upon the circumstantial evidences 95.61% (n=87) cases attributed to
suicide in nature.
Conclusion
Hanging undoubtedly is one of the most preferred methods to commit suicide,
popular for its lethality. Lack of suicide surveillance system and national data bank
in Nepal has resulted into equivocal findings. More studies should be encouraged
based upon autopsy findings to get a clear picture on mortality rates.
KEY WORDS
Asphyxia, Hanging, Hyoid bone, Medico legal autopsy
Chemical Pesticide Use and Quality of Life of Rubber Farmers in the Northeast of Thailand
(Kathmandu University, 2019) Nippanon, P; Sriruacha, C; Tantriratna, P; Phajan, T; Suwannaphant, K; Laohasiriwong, W
ABSTRACT
Background
Chemical pesticide has known to have impacts on human health and environment.
However, there are limited studies on chemical pesticide use has influence on quality
of life (QOL) of rubber farmers in Thailand.
Objective
To determine the pesticide use and its association with quality of life of rubber
farmers in the northest region of Thailand.
Method
This cross sectional study recruited the total of 362 samples by using a multi-
stage random sampling from eight provinces in the Northeast of Thailand. A self-
administered questionnaire was developed and used to collect the data. The multiple
logistic regressions were used to determine the association between chemical
pesticide use and quality of life when controlling other covariates, presenting
adjusted odd ratio, 95% CI and p-value.
Result
Of the total 362 respondets, 66.57% of rubber farmers used chemical pesticides, only
32.60% had good quality of life (95% CI:27.75 - 37.45%). The multivariable analysis
indicated that those who did not use chemical was associated with having good
quality of life (adj. OR = 2.19; 95% CI = 1.34 to 3.58, p-value =0.002). Similarly, other
factors associated with good quality of life were; working 6-7days/week (adj. OR =
1.75; 95% CI = 1.05 to 2.91, p-value = 0.031), had good attitude on rubber farming
(adj. OR= 1.83; 95% CI: 1.071 to 3.14, p-value = 0.027, had low to moderate levels
of stress (adj. OR=1.73; 95% CI: 1.017 to 2.67, p-value= 0.042) and had low level of
knowledge on occupational health in rubber farming (adj. OR=1.66; 95% CI: 1.01 to
2.72, p-value = 0.044).
Conclusion
Most of the farmers used chemical pesticides, only one-third had good quality of life.
Chemical pesticide use as well as work load, psychological factors and awareness on
occupational health problems had influence on quality of life.
KEY WORDS
Chemical pesticide use, Quality of life, Rubber farmers