Nobel Medical College Research Articles

Adequacy of Three Dimensional Miniplate In Treatment Of Mandibular Fracture In Interforaminal Region

Background: Mandible is one of the commonly fractured bone due to trauma, assault and falls. Treatment includes closed and open methods. Methods of open reduction and internal fixation have changed and di­versified enormously in the past few years. Champy’s miniplate fixation, dynamic compression plating has become a standard approach. More recently, three dimensional miniplates have been developed by Farmand which may be effectively used in mandibular fractures. The aim of this study was to check the adequacy of three dimensional miniplate in man­agement of mandibular fracture occurring in the interforaminal region.
 Methods: A prospective clinical study was carried out in patients attend­ing Emergency Department and Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Nobel Medical College and Teaching Hospital (NMCTH) suffer­ing from mandibular fractures in interforaminal region from May 2018 to January 2019.
 Results: A total of 17 patients with 18 fracture in interforaminal region, all male were included in the study. The age ranged from 16 to 50 years with a mean of 29.17 ± 9.48. Road traffic accident was the leading cause of injury with 15 out of 17 patients (88.23%). There was no incidence of wound infection, wound dehiscence, malunion, nonunion, plate fracture within the follow up period of 3 months. One fracture was unstable on 1st postoperative day and also had mildly deranged occlusion which was man­aged with intermaxillary fixation for two weeks.
 Conclusions: Three dimensional plates fulfills the treatment goals of ad­equate stabilization and fixation of mandibular interforaminal fractures.

Study of Patients with First unprovoked Seizure in the Eastern Part of Nepal

Background: About 5-10% of the population get at least one seizure in their lifetime. Treatment is started in patients with first unprovoked seizure if the risk of seizure recurrence is predicted to be high. If patients with first seizure are not treated 40-50% of patients develop recurrence within 2 years of the initial seizure. Starting treatment may cause reduction in the risk of recurrence by almost one half. The aim of the study was to identify the factors causing recurrence in patients with first unprovoked seizure.
 Materials and Methods: It is a prospective cross-sectional study conducted at Nobel Medical College from March 2015 to March 2019. Patients who presented to Nobel Medical College with first unprovoked seizure were enrolled in the study with follow up during the hospital visit.
 Results: Eighty six patients participated in our study. Recurrence of seizure occurred in 21(24.4%) patients within the study period of 4 years. Abnormal Electroencephalography was significantly associated with recurrence of seizure in patients with first seizure. (P value<0.001) Neuro imaging abnormality was also associated with increased risk of seizure recurrence (Pvalue<0.001) .Starting an antiepileptic after first seizure reduced the risk of further seizure.
 Conclusion: Recurrence of seizure was observed in almost a quarter of patients within the study period of four years. Recurrence risk was higher in those patients with abnormal Electro encephalography and in those patients with identified cause than those patients whose seizure was assumed to be idiopathic.

Comparison of Efficacy of Nebulisation with Salbutamol versus Adrenaline in Acute Bronchiolitis in Children aged Two Months to Two Years

Background: Bronchiolitis is an acute, highly communicable lower respiratory tract infection. A variety of agents ranging from nebulised racemic epinephrine, salbutamol and routinely available levoepinephrine have been tried. The Present study was aimed at comparing the effectiveness of adrenaline and salbutamol in acute bronchiolitis in children aged 2 months to 2 years.
 Materials and Methods: The Present study was conducted at Nobel medical College Teaching Hospital over the period of one year from Feb 2018 to Jan 2019. Two different cohorts were identified in which clinically diagnosed cases and were grouped into Group A and Group B to receive the different drugs as per the study protocol. Respiratory Distress Assessment Instrument (RDAI) Scores was used for clinical assessment.
 Results: The age of the patients ranged from 2 months to 24 months with a median of 8 months. The males constituting about 57.42% of the study population of 155 patients. On comparing the prenebulisation variables with 10 and 30 minutes post nebulisation values, it was found that Both adrenaline and salbutamol caused overall significant improvement in RR (p-value <0.00001 in both groups) except in the age group of 19-24 months. Adrenaline was seen to be superior to salbutamol in decreasing the RR (p<0.0001) except for children in the age group of 19-24months. Adrenaline also caused greater rise in heart rate in comparison to salbutamol in all age groups.
 Conclusion: This study concludes that Adrenaline was seen to be superior to salbutamol in decreasing the RR and RDAI, although it showed variance with age.

Clinical Profile of Patients with Heart Failure in Eastern Part of Nepal: a Hospital based study

Background: There is limited information on the clinical profile of patients with heart failure from the Nepalese population.
 Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study on 120 consecutive patients with New York Heart Association class II or IV symptoms of heart failure admitted from June 2018 to January 2019 at Nobel Medical College Teaching hospital, Biratnagar, Nepal.
 Results: Mean age was 52.2 ± 20.6 years. The male and female ratio was 0.71. Ischemic cardiomyopathy, rheumatic heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, acute coronary syndrome, hypertensive heart disease, and peripartum cardiomyopathy were common etiologies constituting 22.5%, 19.1%,13.3%, 9.1%, 8.3 %, 5% of cases respectively. Among co-morbid conditions, anemia (91.6%),hypertension (31.6%), coronary artery disease (29.1%), diabetes (20.8%) and chronic kidney disease (11.6%) were common. Among various drugs used, 66.6% patients were prescribed diuretics, 60% mineral corticoid receptor blockers, 33.3% angiotensin-converting enzymeinhibitors, 33.3% beta-blockers, 29.1% digoxin and 8.3% angiotensin receptor blockers. Echocardiography revealed LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction in 75% and 25% respectively, mitral regurgitation in 52.5%, right ventricular dysfunction in 10.8 % and pulmonary artery hypertension in 66.6%.
 Conclusion: Appropriate use of evidence-based therapies, careful attention to the diagnosis and management of specific co-morbidities in patients with HF may help to improve outcomes.

Echocardiographic Study of Congenital Heart Disease in Infants of Diabetic Mother

Background: Maternal diabetes mellitus (DM) has been shown to be high risk factor for congenital anomalies. It carries 3-5 times higher risk of incidence compared to the general population. The aims of present study is to investigate and portray the incidence of congenital heart disease in infants of diabetic mothers and know the utility of echocardiography in the early diagnosis of CHD at Nobel Medical College teaching hospital, a tertiary care centre in the eastern part of Nepal and review the current literature.
 Material & Methods: This is a prospective observational study conducted in Nobel Medical College Teaching hospital, Kanchanbari, Biratnagar Nepal over the period of 12 months. A structured questionnaire was designed which included demographic profile and the Echocardiography findings. The collected data were analysed using window’s SPSS version 20.
 Results: In the present study of the total deliveries 1.99 % was diabetic mother comprising 208 deliveries.127 had undergone echocardiography in which 10.2 % (n=13) had anomalies. One hundred sixteen were term and 11 were preterm. PDA was the most common anomaly (38.4%) followed by VSD (23.1%) and HCM (15.4%).
 Conclusion: With the review of current literature it has been found that maternal diabetes mellitus is a significant risk factor for congenital heart disease so it is suggested that the presence of diabetes mellitus in a pregnancy should be taken as a strong suspicious of having CHD and infants should be screened for the same .so as to diagnose the anomaly at the earliest possible.

Clinical Profiles and Endoscopic Findings of Patients Undergoing Colonoscopy in Nobel Medical College

Background: Colonoscopy is an invasive procedure used both diagnostically and therapeutically. Direct visualization and real-time image of entire large colon and distal terminal ileum makes it superior. Patients are unable to undergo colonoscopy because of the limitation in the developing country. Moreover, limited studies are available in our country regarding the colonic diseases.
 Materials and Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study done in Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, Nepal from January 2018 to December 2018. Approval was acquired from Institutional Review Committee. All patients undergoing colonoscopy in the hospital was included. After taking proper consent, bowel preparation, premedications, colonoscopy was performed, findings noted in pro-forma.
 Results: Of the total 176 patients 119 (67.60%) were male and 57 (32.40%) were female; mean age 46.98 ± 17.13 years. Indication for performing colonoscopy was chronic diarrhea in 58(33.0%), chronic abdominal pain in 47(26.70%). Significant lesion observed in 142 patients (80.68%); colitis with unspecified etiology in 69 (39.20%), ulcerative colitis in 28 (15.90%), crohn’s disease in 13(7.38%).Colitis was more in male 46(66.67%) and involving rectum was common. Pan-ulcerative colitis was common seen in 11patients (39.28%).
 Conclusion: Chronic diarrhoea and chronic abdominal pain were two common indications. Male patients were in higher prevalence opting for colonoscopy. Colitis of unspecified etiology of rectum and ileo-cecal region was most common finding. Ulcerative colitis involving whole of colon and younger age group was predominantly affected.

Spinal cord injury, Clinical Profile and its Management at Tertiary Care Center in Nepal

Background: Spinal cord injury causes serious disability among patients. More than 40 million people worldwide suffer from Spinal cord injury every year. Most of them are young men. More than10% of trauma victims sustain spine injury and have higher mortality than other injuries.
 Materials and Methods: This is a prospective observational hospital based study of traumatic spine injury cases admitted at Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital, Biratanagr, Nepal from November 2017 to October2018.
 Results: Total of 352 cases were observed and 36 cases who meet the inclusion criteria for surgical intervention were analyzed. Most common affected age group was between 31-40 years with mean age of 40 years. Out of total cases, 81% were male. Most common cause for spine injury was road traffic accident. Cervical spine was the most common injury (66.7%) and C5- C6subluxation being common radiological diagnosis. ASIA-C neurology status (41.7%) on presentation being most common neurological status. Head injury was the most common associated injury. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion was the most common surgical procedure performed. Superficial surgical site infections were observed in two cases and hardware failure was seen in one case.
 Conclusion: The epidemiology of traumatic spine injuries in eastern region of Nepal is similar with other developing countries. In present study, most common cause of spine injury was motor vehicle accidents followed by fall injuries and seen in male. Prevention of road traffic accident might decrease the incidence of spine injury there by reducing the national burden.

Knowledge and Practices of Pregnant Women regarding Oral Health in A Tertiary Care Hospital in Nepal

Poor dental hygiene has been associated with various perinatal complications in studies done worldwide but few studies in Nepal have explored the knowledge of pregnant ladies regarding dental hygiene. The aim of the study was to know the knowledge and practices of pregnant women regarding oral health in a tertiary care center in Nepal. A qualitative study was carried out in Nobel Medical College and Teaching Hospital from January 15, 2018 to June 15, 2018 after approval from the Institutional Review Committee of Nobel Medical College. Convenience sampling was done. Fifty pregnant women admitted in antenatal ward were interviewed regarding their knowledge of dental care in pregnancy, the common dental problems they faced and the treatment taken. A predesigned proforma was used and results were analyzed using SPSS version 17. Twenty two (44%) patients reported dental problems during pregnancy. Bleeding gums was seen in 7 (14%) and toothache in 7 (14%) were commonly reported dental problems. Forty seven (94%) patients acknowledged that routine dental care was needed for health, only 6 (12%) were aware that poor dental health could affect baby weight. Oral health not seen as priority in 24 (48%) was the main barrier to seeking dental care in pregnancy followed by costs of treatment in 18 (36%) and safety concerns in pregnancy in 8 (16%) cases. Though dental problems were a common occurrence in pregnancy, utilization of services was low for the same. The participants reported significant barriers to obtaining dental care including lack of knowledge about the importance of maternal oral health and the treatment costs.

Prevalence of Retrocaecal Appendix among Patients with Appendicitis in A Tertiary Care Hospital of Nepal

Appendicitis is one of the most common causes of acute abdomen. The clinical presentation of appendicitis and its susceptibility to acute inflammation may be affected by the length and position of vermiform appendix. Length and position of appendix are variable. The aim of the study was to find the prevalence of retrocaecal appendix among patients undergoing appendectomy for appendicitis. A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in 264 patients undergoing appendectomy in Department of Surgery, Nobel Medical College, Biratnagar, Nepal from 1st May, 2018 to 15th May, 2019. Ethical approval was taken. Simple random sampling was done. The position of appendix was noted before appendectomy. Subgroup analysis was done on the basis of gender and length of appendix recorded in centimeters with a measuring scale immediately after removal of appendix. Data was collected in excel and was analyzed in SPSS version 16. Prevalence of retrocaecal appendix among patients with appendicitis was 95 (35.98%). Similarly, other positions noted were pelvic in 67 (25.37%), post-ileal in 61 (23.10%), pre-ileal in 11 (4.16%) and subcaecal in 30 (11.36%) individuals. The length of appendix ranged from 1.7 cm to 14.7 cm. The mean length was 8.67±2.44 cm. The most common position of appendix in patients with appendicitis is retrocaecal position followed by pelvic position in both males and females.

Pattern of thyroid disorders in ENT OPD of Nobel Medical College in Eastern Nepal

Background: Thyroid dysfunction is a major health problem in eastern Nepal with a high prevalence and the pattern of thyroid disorders. Previous studies have shown the tendency of hypothyroidism to increase with the age and being more common in women.
 Objective: this study was undertaken to study the various possible manifestations of thyroid disorders and their relation to age in female population in eastern Nepal.
 Methods: This was a hospital based study, conducted in the Department of ENT of Nobel Medical College and teaching hospital in eastern Nepal. A total of 153 female subjects, who attended the outpatients department (OPD) for thyroid screening were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were collected and thyroid assay was done (fT3, fT4, and TSH). Data was tabulated and analysed.
 Results: On analyzing the Thyroid profile of 153 subjects, 107 (69.93%) of them were found to be of euthyroid status. Rest of them had abnormal status. Subclinical hypothyroidism status was found in 31 (20.26%) subjects, while frank hypothyroidism was found in 9 (5.88%) cases. Subclinical hyperthyroidism and frank hyperthyroidism was found in 3 (1.96%) cases each. The fT3 level was of high normal level in the less than 40 years age group, while it was low normal in the above 40 years age group. On analysis, with ANOVA, there was significant difference in fT3 values among three age groups. But, no significant difference was found for fT4 level among age groups. The TSH level was shown to differ significantly among three different age groups. The normal range of TSH increased with increasing age. On analyzing the correlation of Thyroid function parameters, fT3 and fT4 values did not correlate with age, but, TSH was positively correlated with age. This signifies that TSH increases with increasing age, which is also similar to the ANOVA results.
 Conclusion: the prevalence of thyroid disorder in the studied sample of eastern Nepal is found to be 30.07% and hypothyroidism was the commonest disorder in this study. There is a tendency of fT3 to decrease and TSH to increase with increasing age. However no definite pattern was found for fT4.

Accuracy of GRK-2200T Auto-refkeratometer in Subjective Acceptance for Refractive Errors

Introduction: Globally, the most common cause for diminution of vision is refractive errors and the number of patients with refractive errors is increasing day by day. The Auto-refraction (AR) is quick and patient friendly procedure as compared to retinoscopy and subjective refraction in finding out refractive errors. Hence, the accuracy of Auto-refractometer in terms of subjective acceptance (SA) should be taken into account before prescribing optical correction based on findings of that particular model of Auto-refractometer. So, this study is directed towards analysis of the accuracy of GRK-2200T Auto-retieratometer in terms of acceptance by comparing findings of AR with that of SC.
 Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the refractive status of patient's eyes using auto refractometer (GRK-2200T auto-retierato meter) and to estimate the agreement of it in terms of accuracy in acceptance of subjective correction by the patient.
 Methodology: A hospital based prospective comparative study conducted on 226 eyes of 113 patients who visited out-patient department (OPD) of Ophthalmology at Nobel Medical College and Teaching Hospital (NoMCTH), Biratnagar diagnosed with Myopia, Hyperopia and Astigmatism. Duration of study was 4 months from 2nd October, 2018 to 2nd February, 2019. All data thus collected was subjected to statistical analysis by using SPSS version 22.
 Result The mean age of the study subjects was 26.91±7.79 years with male to female ratio of 0.47. When spherical power, cylindrical power and the axis are taken into consideration together, only 13.3% of the total tested eyes subjectively accepted the AR values unchanged. On subjective correction, 32.7% of the tested eyes accepted spherical power while 46.5% accepted cylindrical power and 50.9% accepted axis of AR unchanged. About 52.2% of the total eyes examined fall within the deviation of spherical equivalent (SE) of ±o.25D and up to 67.3% of them fall within the deviation of ±o.50D.
 Conclusion The auto refraction by GRK-2200T auto-retieratometer was found to be satisfactory for a preliminary refraction but not satisfactory as substitutes for conventional subjective refraction. However, auto refraction values obtained by GRK-2200T auto-retieratometer could be important in order to accurately prescribe the cylindrical power as well as its axis than the spherical component.

Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome- Clinical Profile, Associations and Outcome in Critically ill Children Aged 1 Month to 14 Years Admitted to PICU in Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital in Biratnagar

Introduction: Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), characterized by a progressive physiologic dysfunction involving two or more organ systems after an acute threat to systemic homeostasis, is not a rare entity among patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care units. Despite recent advances made in the medical technology and newer treatment strategies, large numbers of deaths in the PICU are attributable to MODS.
 Objective: To describe the clinical profile of MODS among children admitted in PICU and to observe its associations and outcome.
 Methodology: A hospital based prospective observational study was conducted in PICU of Nobel medical college teaching hospital, Biratnagar, Nepal from June 2017- May 2018. Children aged 1 month to 14 years admitted in the PICU with various medical and surgical illnesses were included in the study. All variables defining MODS and the data showing the presence or absence of sepsis were collected within 1 hour of admission (day 0) and then every day until transfer or discharge from PICU or until patient's death.
 Results: Out of 150 admissions in the PICU, 103 fulfilled the inclusion criteria, and were enrolled in the study. A total of 53 patients (51%) developed MODS at some time during their stay at PICU and 88.7% of them had it at the time of admission. Of 103 cases under study, 26 died (mortality rate = 25.2%) and 92.3% of deaths were attributable to MODS. Children with neurological involvement had the highest risk of death [odds ratio (OR), 19.8; 95% confidence interval (95%CI), 4.37-90.30]. 75.5% of children with MODS had some sort of infection and 49% of them had sepsis. Conditions like SIRS, Sepsis, Severe sepsis, Septic shock and ARDS in the study patients were found significantly associated with MODS.
 Conclusion: A MODS is a common clinical entity among patients admitted to the PICU and are associated with significant mortality and morbidity. In children, MODS usually seem to develop early and in a simultaneous way. In developing countries like ours, morbidity and mortality associated with MODS in the PICUs is higher than that in the developed countries. Prevalence of sepsis in children with or without MODS is greater in the developing countries. Sepsis is further responsible for larger number of deaths in PICU.

Diagnostic role of bronchoalveolar lavage: A cytohistopathological correlation

Background: Tumors of lung are common in Nepal. The risk of malignancy has to be judged prior to surgery for which bronchoscopy is often done. Brocho-alveolar lavage and bronchial biopsy are routine procedure done for diagnosis of lung cancer during bronchoscopy. This study was done to correlate the cytology of broncho-alveolar lavage specimen with histopathology in malignant tumors of the lug in our setup.
 Materials and methods: This study was conducted at department of pathology, Nobel Medical College from August 2017 to December 2018. Histopathology reports with malignancy were compared to their cytological diagnosis.
 Results: A total of 141 cases were included in the study. Among the study population, Bronchogenic carcinoma was found more prevalent in female. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and overall accuracy of broncho-alveolar lavage in the diagnosis of lung cancer were 88.1%, 97.98%, 94.7%, 95.1% and 95.03% respectively.
 Conclusions: Brochoalveolar lavage cytology has a greater accuracy for the diagnosis of lung cancer; however, benign cases need regular follow up as there are false negative cases.

Interpretation on coexistence or association of thrombocytopenia with malaria

Background: Malaria is a major health problem especially in developing countries. It is a major causeof morbidity and mortality especially in the tropics. There are several hematological changes in thisparticular disease, which includes thrombocytopenia, anemia , atypical lymphocytosis and infrequentlyintravascular coagulation. The aim of the study is to detect and compare the severity of varioushematological changes, especially thrombocytopenia in the particular type of malaria.Materials and Methods: This was an observational study done on the patients attending the outpatientand inpatient departments clinically suspected for malaria in Nobel Medical College, Biratnagar, Nepal.Thick and thin slides were made and stained with Leishman’s stain for malarial parasites and also antigentests were included wherever necessary. Other tests included were, complete blood counts.Results: Amongst the included 800 patients with suspicion of malaria, 135 (17%) patients demonstratedmalarial parasites on peripheral blood film. Male predominance in male to female predominance of 3.5:1was observed. Total number of 120 out of 135 had thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia was observedhigher in P. Vivax (79.3%) followed by Mixed infection (17%) and P. falciparum (3.7%) respectively.Conclusion: Anemia with mainly thrombocytopenia was mainly seen in P. Vivax type followed by P.Falciparum. Since thrombocytopenia is associated with malaria, which is demonstrated in our study,treating physicians should keep malaria as one of the differential diagnosis in patients with fever and lowplatelets.

Experience in laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Nobel Medical College, Nepal

Objective: A laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the treatment of choice for gallbladder diseases. The aim of this study is to analyze laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed by a single surgeon over 8 years at Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital and Research Centre Pvt. Ltd. of Biratnagar, Nepal (NMCTH). Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 7557 patients that underwent a LC by a single surgeon, from October 2010 to July 2018. We divided it into 3 groups that include data of every three years. Results: The hospital stay, operation time and conversion rates were decreased by years of experience. Female patients outnumbered male (M:F=1:3.7) patients in this study. The hospital stay (3 days), operation time (21 min), conversion (0.3%) and complications (1.9%) rates decreased from Group 1 to Group 3 (p<0.05). Conclusion: As surgical experience increased with a rising number of cases, the conversion rate, complications, hospital stay and mean operation time decreased. Key words: cholecystectomy, laparoscopy, elective, conversion, complications, mortality, gallstone, cholecystitis

Assessment of Hand Hygiene Knowledge among Residents and Nursing staffs at Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar

Introduction: Hand hygiene is a very simple and cost-effective procedure to prevent cross-transmission of microorganisms. The compliance of residents and nursing staffs with hand hygiene guidelines seems to be vital in preventing disease transmission among patients. The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge of residents and nursing staffs with regard to hand hygiene.
 Material and Methods: This was an institution based descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 55 respondents (29 nursing staffs and 26 resident doctors) of department of paediatrics, Nobel Medical College in Biratnagar, Nepal. Knowledge was assessed using WHO hand hygiene questionnaire for health care workers. Chi square test was used to compare the percentage of correct responses between resident doctors and nursing staffs. A p value of <0.05 was considered significant.
 Results: Among 26 resident doctors and 29 nursing staffs who participated in the study, 30.7% of resident doctors and 55.1% of nursing staffs had received formal training in hand hygiene in the last three years. Only 9% of participants (5 out of 55) had good knowledge regarding hand hygiene.
 Conclusions: The knowledge regarding hand hygiene is limited among the study population. The study recommends the need for emphasizing hand hygiene component in the preservice as well as in-service training programs of doctors and nurses.

Evaluation of drugs used in chronic heart failure at tertiary care centre: a hospital based study.

Introduction: There is lack of data on pattern of use of drugs in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) from Nepalese population. This study was conducted to explore the trends of evidence based medications used for CHF in our population. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study on 200 consecutive patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II to IV symptoms of CHF who attended cardiology clinic or admitted from September 2017 to August 2018 at Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, Nepal. Results: Mean age of patients was 54 (range 15-90) years. Ischemic cardiomyopathy, rheumatic heart disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertensive heart disease, peripartum cardiomyopathy were common etiologies of CHF. Analysis of drugs used in CHF revealed that 85% patients were prescribed diuretics, 58.5% angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), 53% mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), 38% beta-blockers (BBs) and 24% digoxin. Digoxin was mainly used as add on therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation (24% of all patients). Antithrombotics (warfarin or aspirin), inotropic agents (dopamine, dobutamine or noradrenaline), antiarrhythmic agent (amiodarone) and nitrates (intravenous glyceryl trinitrate or oral isosorbide dinitrate) were prescribed for 48%, 28%, 5% and 6% patients respectively. All CHF patients with preserved or mid-range ejection fraction (25% of all patients) were prescribed diuretics along with antihypertensive drugs for hypertensive patients. Conclusion: CHF is associated with significant morbidity and mortality due to associated co-morbidities and underuse of proven therapy like BBs, ACEIs or ARBs and MRAs. Careful attention to optimization of different drugs therapy in patients with CHF may help to improve patient outcomes.

Study of the Amplitude of Accommodation and its Relation to Errors of Refraction: A Hospital Based Study

Background: The unique ability of the eye to vary the refractive power of the lens and to focus on things at a range of distances is called accommodation. The reduction of this ability in which the near point recedes further away from comfortable reading distance is called presbyopia. There is continuing research to understand this process and correct this affliction that affects each and every person at the peak of their productive life. With an aging population, the proportion of people above 40 years is on the rise. This will therefore have public health and economic implications.
 Materials and Methods: This is a hospital based retrospective study which was conducted in 100 presbyopic patients in age group of 35 to 60 years at outpatient department of ophthalmology in Nobel Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, from 1st October 2016 to 30th March 2017. The amplitude of accommodation was calculated by measuring near point of accommodation with the help of RAF rule and the data collected was subjected to statistical analysis.
 Results: Out of 100 patients in this study who visited our OPD with presbyopic complains, the no. of hypermetropic patients were highest (56%) and they presented with presbyopic symptoms at an early age as compared to myopes, while the no. of myopic patients were less(13%) and they presented late with presbyopic symptoms. The mean amplitude of accommodation was highest in myopes in all age group (3.35 D in 36-40 year age group which reduced to 2.65 D in 56-60 year age group).There was stastistically significant difference in amplitude of accommodation between myopia and hypermetropia in all age groups except in 56-60 year age group.
 Conlusion: The amplitude of accommodation is generally higher in myopes in all age groups as compared to hypermetropes and emmetropes and they usually develope presbyopic symtoms later in life.

Early outcome of permanent pacemaker implantation

Background: Permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) is considered the most effective and safe procedure for treatment of symptomatic bradyarrythmia. In this study we evaluated incidence of intraoperative and early postoperative (three month) outcome of PPI in our center.
 Method: This is a cross sectional study carried out over a period twenty months between Jan 2017 and August 2018. All patients undergoing PPI at Nobel Medical College were enrolled in the study. Details of demographic data, medical history, hardware used and complications were recorded. Prospective follow up was done in outpatient department upto three months.
 Result: A total of seventy-six patients were enrolled in the study. Fifty-one (67%) were male and twenty-five (33%) were female. Ninety percent of the patient was above the age of sixty-five years. Fifty-five (71%) received single chamber and twenty-one (28%) received dual chamber pacemaker. Majority of the patient (87%) had a diagnosis of complete heart block. There was no mortality unto 3 months. Majority (92%) of the patient had no complications at all. Two patients had pocket site infection. Lead dislodgment was noted in three patients. Lead perforation and acute temponade occurred during intraoperative period in one case, which was successfully managed by pericardiocentesis.
 Conclusion: In summary permanent pacemaker implantation was effective and relatively safe procedure in our center with no mortality.

Association between the clinical findings and chest radiographs in children with severe pneumonia aged 1 month to 5 years

Background: Pneumonia is the main cause of death among children under five years of age particularly in developing countries. According to the WHO, there are more than 15 million cases representing 7-13% of pneumonia cases annually which necessitate hospital admission due to their severity. There is paucity of data regarding the clinical spectrum and the epidemiology of severe pneumonia from eastern part of Nepal. It is important to understand the clinical spectrum and the epidemiology of severe pneumonia at local level to better define problem and to draw inferences for management and policy formulation.
 Material and Methods: A hospital based retrospective observational study conducted at Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Nobel Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, Nepal. One hundred and forty four cases with a diagnosis of severe pneumonia were studied over a period of one year. All the cases from 1 month to 5 years of age fulfilling the standard WHO case definition of severe pneumonia were included in the study. A pre-designed semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain the clinical profile and investigations.
 Results: A total of 144 cases were studied and analyzed. The age range was from 1 month to 5 years. The mean age of the cases was 13.56 months. Majority of the cases belonged to age group of 1-6 months 40.27% (n=58). There was a male preponderance in our study comprising 58.3% (n=84) of males and 41.7% (n=60) of females. Fever and cough were the most common symptoms present in all cases, fever being present in 95.8% (n=136) cases and cough was present in 98.6% (n=142) cases. The most common radiological finding in our study was bronchopneumonia in 27.8% (n=40) cases followed by lobar pneumonia in 24.3% (n=35) cases and interstitial pneumonia in 18.8% (n=27) cases. Complications were present in 6.9% (n=10) cases and 22.2% (n=32) of the cases had no radiological abnormalities. Among the studied symptoms and signs of severe pneumonia, hurried breathing (p<0.001), wheeze (p=0.016), refusal of feeds (p=0.001), altered sensorium (p=0.006) and previous history of acute respiratory infections showed significant association with radiological abnormalities.
 Conclusion: Children of severe pneumonia presenting with fast breathing, wheeze, altered sensorium, refusal of feeding and past history of acute respiratory infections showed significant association with abnormal chest radiographs.