Seropositivity among Blood Samples Drawn from Suspected Dengue Cases at a Tertiary Care Centre of Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: The cases of dengue fever have been reported more frequently in Nepal these days. The aim of this study was to find the prevalence of seropositivity among blood samples drawn from suspected dengue cases at a tertiary care centre of Nepal. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital from 1st June 2017 to 31st October 2018 after getting approval from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 23/2016). A total of 537 suspected dengue patients were selected for the study using convenience sampling. These dengue positive sera were assayed for their reactivity with Immunoglobulin M and Immunoglobulin G present in sera and synthetic peptides of dengue virus by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Data was entered and analysed in Microsoft Excel 2016. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. RESULTS: Among 537 suspected dengue cases, the seropositivity for dengue was found in 124 (23.09%) (19.52-26.65 at 95% Confidence Interval) of the serum. CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed that dengue was more prevalent in our setting compared to similar studies. All the synthetic peptides showed reactivity with dengue-positive sera with maximum reactivity shown by RR2 peptide. In dengue-positive sera, RR2 peptide of dengue virus identified more Immunoglobulin M than Immunoglobulin G.

Burden of Alcoholic Liver Disease in a Tertiary Care Center: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Alcoholic liver disease is a serious health problem related to an unhealthy lifestyle. The three most widely recognized forms of alcoholic liver disease are alcoholic fatty liver, acute alcoholic hepatitis, and alcoholic cirrhosis. The main aim of our study is to find out the prevalence of alcoholic liver disease in tertiary care center. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among inpatient cases admitted in the medicine department of tertiary care center from 1st June 2018 to 31st May 2019. Ethical approval was taken for the study. Convenience sampling method was used. All the biochemical parameters were expressed as mean±standard deviation for each group and point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. RESULTS: Prevalence of alcoholic liver disease is 50 (50%) at a 95% Confidence Interval (40.2%-59.8%) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is also the same. The mean age of alcoholic liver disease was 59±12 years where as the mean age for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was 46±18 years. Out of fifty patients of alcoholic liver disease, majority 48 (96%) of the cases were males which suggests that the prevalence of alcoholic liver disease is very common in males. Similarly, for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, prevalence was 34 (68%) showing higher prevalence than that of females. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of alcoholic liver disease is low compared to previous studies done in the similar settings. Monitoring these biochemical parameters in alcoholic liver disease at early stage could guide in planning the protocol for the initial treatment.

Study of Acid-Base Disorders and Biochemical Findings of Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Acid base disorder is a condition characterized by alteration in blood pH by the imbalance between the components of blood leading to a life threatening situation. The main aim of this study was to find the prevalence of acid-base disorders and biochemical findings of such disorders in patients in a tertairy care hospital. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital from 1st September, 2018 to 31st August, 2019. Ethical apporoval was taken from Institutional Review Committee. All the patients presented to emergency department, intensive care units and wards were included during the study period. Data were entered and calculations were done in Microsoft Excel, point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. RESULTS: Out of arterial blood gas analysis of 1144 patients, the prevalence of acid base disorders was 718 (62.76%) at 95% Confidence Interval (59.96-65.56%). Simple and mixed acid base disorders were observed in 332 (46.24%) and 386 (53.76%) patients respectively. Respiratory alkalosis was most common among 134 (40.36%) cases in simple acid base disorder whereas metabolic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis was most common among 204 (52.85%) in mixed acid base disorder. All types of disorders were observed more in elderly people (41-60 and >60 age group) than other age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Acid base disorder was found to be more common in very ill patients in emergency and intensive care units. Mixed acid base disorder was the most common with male and elderly patients in predominance.