Hypothyroidism among Type 2 Diabetic Patients Visiting Outpatient Department of Internal Medicine of a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: Diabetes-thyroid relationship is said to be bidirectional. Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus increase free thyroxine but decrease free tri-iodothyronine and thyroid-releasing hormone synthesis. Thyroid dysfunction may in turn impose an adverse effect on glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Undetected thyroid dysfunction can worsen glycemic control and predispose type 2 diabetes mellitus patients to cardiovascular and other diabetes-related complications. Recognition and timely treatment of thyroid dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients can delay diabetic complications. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of hypothyroidism among type 2 diabetic patients visiting the outpatient Department of Internal Medicine of a tertiary care centre. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 17 April 2021 to 5 September 2021 after obtaining ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 130120202). A total of 384 type 2 diabetic subjects were recruited for the study. Convenience sampling method was used. Point estimate and 95% CI were calculated. Results: Among 384 patients, the prevalence of hypothyroidism was found in 127 (33.07%) (28.36-37.78, 95% Confidence Interval). Among them, 56 (44.09%) were male and 71 (55.90%) were female. The mean age was 55.17±7.53 years. Conclusions: The prevalence of hypothyroidism was higher than in the other studies done in similar settings. Keywords: chronic kidney disease; thyroid stimulating hormone; thyroxine; triiodothyronine.

Hypertension among Current Cigarette Smokers Visiting Outpatient Department of a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: Hypertension is a common physical condition with high blood pressure for a prolonged period. Long risk factors like age, overweight, high dietary salt intake, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and term hypertension might lead to various cardiovascular diseases. The normal blood pressure, systolic, is 90-119 mm Hg and diastolic 60-79 mm Hg. The objective of this study is to find out the prevalence of hypertension among current cigarette smokers patients in an outpatient department of a tertiary care centre. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done on 385 outpatient department patients in a tertiary care centre from September, 2021 to February, 2022. The sample was collected by a convenience after approval from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 0505202105). Outpatient department patients who had past history of smoking cigarette>100 cigarettes and who is still smoking were included in the study. Data were analysed by using the Statistical Package for the Social Science software version 16.0. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and percentage for binary data and mean and standard deviation for continuous data. Results: Among 385 patients, 209 (54.28%) (47.64-60.92 at 95% Confidence Interval) were hypertensive patients. One hundred fifty-six (40.51%) males and 53 (13.76%) females were hypertensive. Conclusions: The prevalence of hypertension was higher when compared to other studies done in similar settings. Keywords: habits; hypertension; prevalence; smokers.

Overweight among Medical Students in a Tertiary Care Center: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Today's generation is facing an increased prevalence of overweight and obesity. It may be genetic or habitual due to overeating of junk foods and sedentary lifestyle. It directly affects an individual personality and health. The main aim of this study is to find out the prevalence of overweight among medical students in a tertiary care center. METHODS: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study done in 385 students in a tertiary care hospital from 25th January 2020 to 28th February 2021. The sample was collected by simple random sampling method after the approval from the Institutional Review Committee of Kathmandu Medical College and Teaching Hospital. Height in meter and weight in kilogram of students were measured to calculate body mass index. Data were analyzed by using Statistical Package of Social Science software version 16. Point estimate at 95% confidence interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. RESULTS: Among 385 students, 75 (19.48%) (95% Confidence Interval= 15.53%-23.44%) were overweight. Fifty-seven (14.85%) males and 18 (4.69%) females were overweight respectively. In total, there were 197 (51.01%) males and 188 (48.99%) females. CONCLUSIONS: The current study shows the prevalence of overweight among medical students is slightly higher than in studies done in similar settings.

Virtual Anatomy Classes among the First and Second Year Medical and Dental Students of a Medical College: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: The pandemic of COVID-19 affected every single person in the world. This pandemic also affected the academics of medical and dental colleges of Nepal. In these conditions, the virtual study was used as an emergency measure during the COVID-19 period, with an adaptation to the "new normal" to deliver preclinical medical education. This has brought both challenges and opportunities to medical education. The objective of the study is to find out whether the anatomy virtual classes were helpful among the first and second year medical and dental students of a medical college. METHODS: The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 206 first and second-year medical and dental students of a medical college between 1st May 2021-31st May 2021 after getting the ethical clearance from the Institutional Review Committee (reference no. 0504202109). The convenient sampling was done. The data were analyzed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 20 version. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and percentage for binary data. RESULTS: Out of the total 206 students, 173 (84%) (78.99-89.01 at 95% Confidence Interval) found that virtual anatomy classes were not helpful for the study of the anatomy classes. CONCLUSIONS: From the study, we conclude that more than half of the students found that virtual classes were not helpful for the study of anatomy classes. Students have difficulty in studying dissection, cadaveric, and embryological structures via virtual classes. Physical class is better for studying anatomy than virtual classes for medical and dental students.

Type I Lip Pattern in at Least One Quadrant among First and Second-year Medical and Dental Students of a Medical College: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: The upper and lower lip consists of the numerous amounts of fine grooves. This pattern of grooves will be definite throughout the lifetime. The groove of the lip shows variations and play important role in forensic medicine and crime investigation. The objective of this study is to find out the prevalence of type I lip print in at least one lip quadrant among first- and second- year medical and dental students of a medical college. METHODS: The study was conducted on 240 students of a medical college between November 2020- January 2021 after getting the ethical clearance from the Institutional Review Committee (reference no. KMC-IRC 0311202006). The convenient sampling was done. The patterns of the grooves of the lip were studied. The data was analysed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 20 version. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and percentage for binary data. RESULTS: Out of 240 students, type I lip pattern was seen in at least one quadrant in 190 (79.6%) (73.38-84.94 at 95% CI) students. One hundred and fifty-nine (66.3%) had type I pattern in the right upper quadrant, 160 (66.7%) in left upper quadrant, 181 (75.4%) in right lower quadrant, and 177 (73.8%) in left lower quadrant. Type Ia was maximum found in 115 (47.9%) and type Ib in 66 (27.5%) in lower left quadrant of lip. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed a higher prevalence of type I lip pattern than those reported by other national studies done among medical students.

Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency among Adult Patients in A Tertiary Care Hospital.

INTRODUCTION: The deficiency of vitamin D is major public health problem worldwide. It is deficiency of vitamin D level when blood serum which is below 30ng/ml. The deficiency is associated with various musculoskeletal diseases and autoimmune diseases. The early detection of deficiency plays important role to prevent those diseases. The aim of the study is to find the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among adult population in a tertiary care hospital. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in tertiary care hospital, from 1st August 2017 to 31st December 2018 after ethical clearance from institutional review committee with registration number 02082017. Simple random sampling was done. Data was collected and entered in statistical package for social sciences. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. RESULTS: Out of total patients, vitamin D deficiency was found among 283 (73.6%) patients at 95% of CI (68.6-78.6). Out of total female patients, 202 (52.61%) were deficient and out of total male patients, 81 (21.08%) were deficient. The mean age±SD of patients was 41.45±16.016 years. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was high compared to previous studies. Vitamin D deficiency was found to be higher in females than males.

Soil transmitted helminthiasis in Kathmandu, Nepal.

A total of 200 soil samples taken from different sites and 1,504 stool samples collected from school children (n = 188) and patients (n = 1,316) visiting the health care centres in Kathmandu Valley were included in this study. Soil samples were investigated for the presence of parasitic eggs using sucrose flotation technique. Stool samples were examined by formal-ether concentration and direct smear techniques. The contamination rate of soil with parasitic eggs and larvae was found to be 28.5% (57/ 200). The overall parasitic infection rates in school children and patients were 42.5% and 2.8%, respectively. Four types of parasites were detected from soil samples, of which Ascaris was the most common. Trichuris was most common among school children whereas Ascaris in patients. Females in both study groups had higher prevalence compared with male counterparts with significantly low rate in health care centre visiting patients (p < 0.05).

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and impaired fasting glucose in semi-urban population of Nepal.

The increase in life expectancy in developing countries and as a result of increasing obesity and other life style changes, the global incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of T2DM and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) in semi-urban population of Nepal and to compare the prevalence between men and women and among different age groups. A total 740 adults (286 men and 454 women) aged 21 to 94 years (men +/- SD; 45.6 +/- 15.6 years) were included. The prevalence of T2DM and IFG was 9.5% and 19.2% in the whole population. Prevalence of T2DM was higher in men (11.8%) then in women (7.9%), similarly IFG was noted higher in men (25%) then in women (15.4%0). The prevalence of T2DM and IFG was seen to be increased with age in the whole population. Among women, the prevalence of T2DM and IFG was 2.9% and 12.8% in 21 to 40 years age group, 9.7% and 13.8% in 41 to 60 years age group and 15.4% and 27.7% in > 60 years age group. Among men, it was 4.7% and 22.6% in 21 to 40 years age group, 13.3% and 30.5% in 41 to 60 years age group and 23% and 17.3% in > 60 years age group. To conclude, the overall prevalence of T2DM and IFG increases with age. Prevalence of IFG is highest among middle age men where as the prevalence of T2DM is highest among older men.

Helicobacter pylori associated gastroduodenal problem among the Nepalese.

Present study was undertaken during a period of eighteen months (April 2001 to October 2002) to see an association of Helicobacter pylori with the gastric problems among the Nepalese. This study comprised of 203 subjects (Males: 154 and Females: 49) aged 21 to 71 years with gastric problems. The biopsy samples taken from the stomach and duodenum using endoscope were tested for the presence of H. pylori by in-house rapid urease test (RUT) and culture. Representative samples were also tested by PCR. Of the total 203, 60 (29.5%) were RUT positive. Marginally high RUT positive rate was observed in males compared with females (P>0.95). Same was true with ethnic group with a marginally higher positive rate among Tibeto-Burmans compared with Indo-Aryans (P>0.05). Age-wise, higher incidence (34.4%) was observed in the age group of 36 to approximately 50 years followed by over 50 years (29.0%), and 21 to approximately 35 years (24.4%) (P>0.05). Both RUT and culture positive rate increased with the severity of the problem. RUT results were confirmed also by PCR. All RUT positive patients were given a full course of new triple therapy (combination of two antibiotics: Clarythromycin and Amoxycillin and a proton-pump inhibitor: Omeprazole) for two weeks followed by extended monotherapy with Omeprazole for up to six weeks. Of the total, 168 (82.7%) patients were available for follow-up and all of them showed an improved condition with negative RUT.

Acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis epidemic--2003 in Nepal.

This rapid communication present the findings of nationwide outbreak of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) epidemic occurred in Nepal during summer 2003. Only ten percent of samples showed bacterial and no fungus were grown. On the contrary, viruses were detected in 60.0% cases studied. Of the viruses detected, Adenovirus (ADV), Coxsackie virus (CA24v) and both accounted for 83.3% (30/36), 11.1% (4/36) and 5.5% (2/36), respectively. Interestingly, ADV was detected also from one of the ten a Rupees bill.