Journal Issue: Volume: 1, No. 1 (2025)
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2025
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eISSN: 3102-0194 pISSN: 3102-0186
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Articles
Launching MJAPFN: Bridging Medical Science, Service, and Scholarship
(Nepal APF Hospital, 2025) Shrestha, Sailendra Kumar Duwal
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Prevalence of Anti-Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody in Hypothyroid Patients Visiting Western Regional Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study
(Nepal APF Hospital, 2025) Bastola, Basanta Kumar; Suresh, Thapa; Regmi, Kiran; Hamal, Surya Bahadur; Poudel, Rajendra; Sharma, Soniya
Abstract:
Introduction: Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder with autoimmune thyroiditis increasing as a major cause, especially in iodine-sufficient areas. Anti-thyroid peroxidase (antiTPO) antibodies are important markers of autoimmune thyroid disease. The objective of this study to determine the prevalence of anti-TPO antibodies in hypothyroid patients and their correlation with the type of hypothyroidism, age, gender, and clinical presentation.
Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 73 hypothyroid patients attending the OPD and medical ward of Western Regional Hospital (WRH), a tertiary care centre in Gandaki Province. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Laboratory assessments included thyroid function tests and anti-TPO levels using chemiluminescence immunoassay. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied using SPSS v27.
Results: Among 73 participants (mean age 42.1 ± 12.07 years), 81% were female. Anti-TPO antibodies were positive in 38% of patients. Among patients with overt hypothyroidism, 41% were anti-TPO positive, while 36% of subclinical hypothyroidism patients had anti-TPO positivity. No statistically significant associations were found between anti-TPO status and gender (p=0.821), type of hypothyroidism (p=0.666), or age group (p=0.24). Likewise, the common presenting signs and symptoms did not have statistically significant association with the TPO positivity status.
Conclusion: Over one-third of hypothyroid patients had anti-TPO antibody positivity, with a slightly higher prevalence in overt hypothyroidism. However, demographic and clinical variables did not significantly correlate with antibody status.
Histopathological Findings in Cholecystectomy Specimens of Gallbladder in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Kathmandu: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study
(Nepal APF Hospital, 2025) Maharjan, Rajendra; Khadka, Rajya
Abstract:
Introduction: The gallbladder is one of the most frequently resected organs which is examined in a surgical pathology practice. It presents with a wide spectrum of lesion on histopathology. Gallbladder is among the most common organs where incidental gallbladder carcinoma occurs. The study was aimed to find the prevalence of various histopathological spectrum of gallbladder among cholecystectomy specimens in a tertiary care hospital in Kathmandu.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of pathology, of a tertiary care hospital from January 1, 2023 to December 30, 2024. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: NAPFH-037/2024). All the patients who had undergone cholecystectomy for gallbladder diseases were enrolled in the study. Enumeration sampling technique was done. Basic statistics and Microsoft Excel were used for data analysis.
Results: Out of 400 cholecystectomy specimens, Chronic cholecystitis with specific finding was the most common finding with 270 (67.50%) cases. 11 (2.75%) cases of dysplasia and one (0.25%) case of gallbladder adenocarcinoma was observed. There were 125 (31.25%) males and 275 (68.75%) females with a male to female ratio of 1:2.2. Age ranged from 15 to 83 years with a mean age of 44.32±13.55 years. Gallbladder lesions were observed maximum in age group 30-39 years with 136 (34.00%) cases.
Conclusions: The prevalence of histopathological spectrum of gallbladder is similar to other studies done in similar settings. Female predominance was noted in gallbladder lesions.
Relationship between Preoperative Anxiety and Postoperative Pain among Patients undergoing Elective Surgery in Tertiary Care Center
(Nepal APF Hospital, 2025) Subedi, Seema; Shrestha, Sanjesh
Abstract:
Introduction: Preoperative anxiety refers to a patient’s unpleasant state of worry before surgery. Appropriate postoperative pain management benefits patients by reducing postoperative cognitive impairment, improving quality of life, and lowering the risk of chronic postsurgical pain. The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain among patients undergoing elective surgery.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among patients undergoing elective surgery in the surgical ward of Nepal Armed Police Force Hospital from July to September 2024. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: NAPFH-006/2024) of Nepal Armed Police Force Hospital .This ex post facto study was conducted among 109 respondents using a non-probability purposive sampling technique. Data were collected via self-administered standard semi-structured questionnaires (Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Numerical Pain Rating scale). Descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, and mean were used for data analysis. Chi-square test and logistic regression were performed to identify associations between preoperative anxiety and socio demographic variables.
Results: Out of 109 respondents, 86 (78.90%) had preoperative anxiety. Preoperative anxiety showed a significant association with postoperative pain at 2 hours after surgery. Similarly, a significant relationship was also found between age and type of anesthesia during the 6-hour and 24-hour postoperative periods respectively.
Conclusions: The study found that the majority of patients experienced preoperative anxiety. A relationship between preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain was observed. It showed that preoperative anxiety had a significant relationship in the immediate postoperative period. Further dimensions like preoperative medications, postoperative medications and care could be added to make the study more effective.
Musculoskeletal Manifestations in COVID-19 Patients at Paramilitary Hospital: A Cross-sectional Study
(Nepal APF Hospital, 2025) KC, Samir; Shrestha, Sailendra Kumar Duwal; Nepal, Prabin; Karki, Umash; Karki, Netra Bahadur; Mahaseth, Adarsha
Abstract:
Introduction: Musculoskeletal symptoms are common in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) but are understudied in low-resource settings such as Nepal. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, spectrum, and severity of musculoskeletal manifestations in adults with acute COVID-19.
Methods: We conducted a hospital-based, cross-sectional study at Nepal Armed Police Force Hospital, Kathmandu, from June to September 2023. Adults (≥18 years) with RT-PCR–confirmed COVID-19 were enrolled consecutively. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected. Musculoskeletal symptoms—myalgia, arthralgia, fatigue, low back pain, and paresthesia—were assessed using standardized questionnaires and severity scores (VAS/NRS). COVID-19 severity was classified per NIH criteria. Associations between symptom prevalence/severity and disease severity or viral load (Ct values) were analyzed using chi-square and ANOVA tests.
Results: A total of 250 patients (47.6% male; mean age 49.8±18.1 years) were studied. Myalgia (70.0%), arthralgia (63.2%), and fatigue (61.2%) were the most frequent symptoms, followed by low back pain (44.0%) and paresthesia (4.4%). Symptom severity increased significantly with COVID-19 severity (p<0.001 for all). Myalgia, arthralgia, and fatigue had higher mean scores in moderate/ severe cases. There was a significant inverse association between RT-PCR Ct values and symptom severity, with higher viral loads correlating with more severe symptoms (p<0.001). Persistence of musculoskeletal symptoms at follow-up was observed exclusively in severe cases.
Conclusions: Musculoskeletal symptoms, particularly myalgia, arthralgia, and fatigue, are highly prevalent and severe in COVID-19 patients in Nepal, with greater intensity in those with more severe disease and higher viral loads. Persistent symptoms after recovery highlight the need for integrated rheumatological and rehabilitative care in post-COVID management.