Sri Lanka Medical Association Research Articles

Lung function parameters of healthy Sri Lankan Tamil young adults

To establish reference norms of lung function parameters for healthy Sri Lankan Tamil young adults. Cross sectional study of Tamil students at the Faculty of Medicine, Jaffna. Healthy non smoking students of Sri Lankan Tamil ethnic group were enrolled. Age, height, weight, BMI and spirometric measurements (Micro Quark) were recorded in 267 participants (137 females and 130 males). Height was significantly correlated with (p<0.05) all the lung function parameters except FEV1%, PEFR and MEF75 in males. Prediction equations were derived by regression analysis based on the height as an independent variable. Predicted lung function values for a particular age and height were lower than values predicted for Pakistanis, Kelatanese Malaysians and eastern Indians. The values were comparable to south Indians in Madras. Our FVC values of males and VC of females were closer to Sri Lankan Sinhalese. FEV1 and FEF25-75 in males were slightly higher and FVC, FEV1 and FEF25-75 in females were slightly lower in Tamils. When mean values were compared, these parameters were significantly higher in Tamil males (p<0.001) and significantly lower in Tamil females (p<0.001). These values will be useful in interpreting lung function parameters of the particular age group as there are no published norms for Sri Lankan Tamils. However, our study sample was confined to medical students of 20-28 years which may explain the differences with Sinhalese.

Risk of stillbirth at term and optimum timing of delivery in uncomplicated south Asian singleton pregnancies.

Aims of this study were to compare the perinatal mortality rate and the prospective risk of stillbirth for each given gestational age and to ascertain whether it is safe to continue the pregnancy beyond 40 weeks of gestational age and induce labour at 41 weeks in low risk singleton pregnancies. This was a retrospective study. The perinatal mortality and prospective risk were calculated per 1000 total births and 1000 ongoing pregnancies respectively in well dated singleton pregnancies. 38+0 to 39+6 gestational age was taken as the reference. A total of 12,595 deliveries after 28 weeks of gestation were included. The risk of stillbirth at 38+0 to 39+6 weeks was 1.43 (95% CI, 0.9 to 2.4) per 1000 on going pregnancies. The perinatal mortality rate at 38+0 to 39+6 weeks was 2.9 (95% CI, 1.9 to 4.5) per 1000 total births. The perinatal mortality rate decreased throughout gestation and it was lowest at 40+0 - 41+6. In contrast, risk of stillbirth increased with advancing gestation and peaked at 40+0 - 41+6 (2.57, 95% CI, 1.4 to 4.7). However, risk of stillbirth at 40+0 - 41+6 was not statistically different from 38+0 to 39+6 (OR 1.79, 95% CI, 0.80 to 3.98). To prevent one stillbirth, 886 pregnancies should be induced at 38+0 to 39+6. Risk of stillbirth is more informative than perinatal mortality at term. Frequent antenatal fetal surveillance should be adopted towards term in order to identify high risk pregnancies. Elective delivery before 40 weeks in low risk pregnancies is not justified.

Clinical profile and outcome of patients with severe sepsis treated in an intensive care unit in India

Ceylon Medical Journal (CMJ) is a peer-reviewed, open access journal published quarterly by the Sri Lanka Medical Association in the last week of March, June, September and December each year. The mission of the CMJ is to promote the science and art of medicine and betterment of public health. The Journal publishes original papers and commentaries which have relevance to medicine and allied sciences. The CMJ is committed to maintaining and conforming to the editorial and ethical standards recommended by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.

Should the Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) discuss the cause and manner of death with the family of the deceased?

Ceylon Medical Journal (CMJ) is a peer-reviewed, open access journal published quarterly by the Sri Lanka Medical Association in the last week of March, June, September and December each year. The mission of the CMJ is to promote the science and art of medicine and betterment of public health. The Journal publishes original papers and commentaries which have relevance to medicine and allied sciences. The CMJ is committed to maintaining and conforming to the editorial and ethical standards recommended by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.

Mosapride (5HT4 agonist) in the treatment of blepharospasm

Ceylon Medical Journal (CMJ) is a peer-reviewed, open access journal published quarterly by the Sri Lanka Medical Association in the last week of March, June, September and December each year. The mission of the CMJ is to promote the science and art of medicine and betterment of public health. The Journal publishes original papers and commentaries which have relevance to medicine and allied sciences. The CMJ is committed to maintaining and conforming to the editorial and ethical standards recommended by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.

Relationship between increased risk of falling and cognitive impairment in residents of an elderly home in the Colombo district

Tendency to falling in older people, with and without cognitive impairment, living in an elderly home was assessed. A descriptive analytical study was carried out with 50 elderly people (25 males) aged between 60 - 85 years. Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and, Five Times Sit to Stand Test (FTSST) were used to determine risk of falling and functional lower extremity strength of each participant. The Folstein Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) were used to assess cognition.The cognitive scores were significantly lower in fallers compared to non-fallers (p=0.0001). Fallers demonstrated significantly poor lower extremity strength (p=0.0001). Older people with cognitive impairment demonstrated poor functional lower extremity strength than those without cognitive impairement (p=0.002). The difference in falling tendency between males and females was not statistically significant.

Culture and immunochromatographic technique for diagnosis of trichomoniasis

Ceylon Medical Journal (CMJ) is a peer-reviewed, open access journal published quarterly by the Sri Lanka Medical Association in the last week of March, June, September and December each year. The mission of the CMJ is to promote the science and art of medicine and betterment of public health. The Journal publishes original papers and commentaries which have relevance to medicine and allied sciences. The CMJ is committed to maintaining and conforming to the editorial and ethical standards recommended by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.

Thrombotic microangiopathy following Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii) envenoming in Sri Lanka: a case report

Ceylon Medical Journal (CMJ) is a peer-reviewed, open access journal published quarterly by the Sri Lanka Medical Association in the last week of March, June, September and December each year. The mission of the CMJ is to promote the science and art of medicine and betterment of public health. The Journal publishes original papers and commentaries which have relevance to medicine and allied sciences. The CMJ is committed to maintaining and conforming to the editorial and ethical standards recommended by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.

Adherence to preventive health care in children and young adults with Down syndrome (DS) in Sri Lanka

To assess adherence to preventive care and age-appropriate screening in different age categories of Down syndrome (DS) persons. This community-based retrospective observational study on ambulatory persons with DS from different regions of Sri Lanka was carried out on 100 randomly selected individuals from a sample framework of approximately 300. Their screening behavior for cardiac, ophthalmic, hearing and thyroid status was evaluated. Age at first medical consultation for DS specific complications, whether undertaken when symptomatic or asymptomatic, and use of DS-specific growth charts were extracted from medical records. Screening was compared in three age groups (<10, 10-15, and >15 years). One hundred clinically diagnosed DS individuals (F: M 1:1.2) aged 2-28 years (mean 13.5 years) were from varied socio-economic backgrounds and rural (68%) suburban (20%) and urban (12%) settings. They all had had postnatal medical assessments. Initial eye, ENT, cardiac consultations was at significantly earlier ages in those below 10 years. Age-appropriate cardiac assessments occurred in 58%, 25% and 7.5% in each age group. Vision, hearing and newborn thyroid status were not routinely screened for. Only 7% had special growth charts. Area of residence had no effect on screening behavior. Screening for complications in DS was delayed and inconsistent but occurred at significantly earlier ages in younger children. Use of appropriate growth charts was very low. Screening behavior was unaffected by area of residence. We recommend incorporating DS-specific medical checklists as a preventive health routine for this unique group of children.

From the journals

Ceylon Medical Journal (CMJ) is a peer-reviewed, open access journal published quarterly by the Sri Lanka Medical Association in the last week of March, June, September and December each year. The mission of the CMJ is to promote the science and art of medicine and betterment of public health. The Journal publishes original papers and commentaries which have relevance to medicine and allied sciences. The CMJ is committed to maintaining and conforming to the editorial and ethical standards recommended by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.

Post-traumatic stress disorder after watching violent scenes on television

Ceylon Medical Journal (CMJ) is a peer-reviewed, open access journal published quarterly by the Sri Lanka Medical Association in the last week of March, June, September and December each year. The mission of the CMJ is to promote the science and art of medicine and betterment of public health. The Journal publishes original papers and commentaries which have relevance to medicine and allied sciences. The CMJ is committed to maintaining and conforming to the editorial and ethical standards recommended by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.

Wound infection survey at Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya

Ceylon Medical Journal (CMJ) is a peer-reviewed, open access journal published quarterly by the Sri Lanka Medical Association in the last week of March, June, September and December each year. The mission of the CMJ is to promote the science and art of medicine and betterment of public health. The Journal publishes original papers and commentaries which have relevance to medicine and allied sciences. The CMJ is committed to maintaining and conforming to the editorial and ethical standards recommended by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.

Lucius A Nicholls, BA, BL, LSA, MB, B Chir, MD, CMG: father of nutritional science in Sri Lanka.

Ceylon Medical Journal (CMJ) is a peer-reviewed, open access journal published quarterly by the Sri Lanka Medical Association in the last week of March, June, September and December each year. The mission of the CMJ is to promote the science and art of medicine and betterment of public health. The Journal publishes original papers and commentaries which have relevance to medicine and allied sciences. The CMJ is committed to maintaining and conforming to the editorial and ethical standards recommended by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.

Chilli grinding as an opening to the study of occupational lung disease.

Ceylon Medical Journal (CMJ) is a peer-reviewed, open access journal published quarterly by the Sri Lanka Medical Association in the last week of March, June, September and December each year. The mission of the CMJ is to promote the science and art of medicine and betterment of public health. The Journal publishes original papers and commentaries which have relevance to medicine and allied sciences. The CMJ is committed to maintaining and conforming to the editorial and ethical standards recommended by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.

The Idiot, Dostoyevsky, and epilepsy.

Ceylon Medical Journal (CMJ) is a peer-reviewed, open access journal published quarterly by the Sri Lanka Medical Association in the last week of March, June, September and December each year. The mission of the CMJ is to promote the science and art of medicine and betterment of public health. The Journal publishes original papers and commentaries which have relevance to medicine and allied sciences. The CMJ is committed to maintaining and conforming to the editorial and ethical standards recommended by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.

Calcium channel blockers and alpha-blockers in hypertension: what is the evidence?

Ceylon Medical Journal (CMJ) is a peer-reviewed, open access journal published quarterly by the Sri Lanka Medical Association in the last week of March, June, September and December each year. The mission of the CMJ is to promote the science and art of medicine and betterment of public health. The Journal publishes original papers and commentaries which have relevance to medicine and allied sciences. The CMJ is committed to maintaining and conforming to the editorial and ethical standards recommended by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.

Towards achieving civilised status for state hospitals.

Ceylon Medical Journal (CMJ) is a peer-reviewed, open access journal published quarterly by the Sri Lanka Medical Association in the last week of March, June, September and December each year. The mission of the CMJ is to promote the science and art of medicine and betterment of public health. The Journal publishes original papers and commentaries which have relevance to medicine and allied sciences. The CMJ is committed to maintaining and conforming to the editorial and ethical standards recommended by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.

From the journals

Ceylon Medical Journal (CMJ) is a peer-reviewed, open access journal published quarterly by the Sri Lanka Medical Association in the last week of March, June, September and December each year. The mission of the CMJ is to promote the science and art of medicine and betterment of public health. The Journal publishes original papers and commentaries which have relevance to medicine and allied sciences. The CMJ is committed to maintaining and conforming to the editorial and ethical standards recommended by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.

Three young patients with unusual causes of stroke

Ceylon Medical Journal (CMJ) is a peer-reviewed, open access journal published quarterly by the Sri Lanka Medical Association in the last week of March, June, September and December each year. The mission of the CMJ is to promote the science and art of medicine and betterment of public health. The Journal publishes original papers and commentaries which have relevance to medicine and allied sciences. The CMJ is committed to maintaining and conforming to the editorial and ethical standards recommended by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.

Misleading advertisements

Ceylon Medical Journal (CMJ) is a peer-reviewed, open access journal published quarterly by the Sri Lanka Medical Association in the last week of March, June, September and December each year. The mission of the CMJ is to promote the science and art of medicine and betterment of public health. The Journal publishes original papers and commentaries which have relevance to medicine and allied sciences. The CMJ is committed to maintaining and conforming to the editorial and ethical standards recommended by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.