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INTRODUCTION: Colonoscopy is considered as a gold standard investigation for screening of colorectal cancer and other lower gastrointestinal pathologies. Adequate bowel preparation is absolutely necessary for a fruitful colonoscopy. Various bowel cleansing agents are being used for his purpose. The aim of the present study was to compare the two bowel cleansing agents: a single dose of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) solution and a split dose of Sodium Picosulfate (Na PICOSUL) tablet with regards to cleansing efficacy and tolerability among the patients scheduled for colonoscopy. METHODS: It is an open-label hospital-based observational study. A total of sixty-four patients were grouped randomly into two groups of bowel cleansing agents that are PEG and Na PICOSUL during the study period between 1st December 2015 and 30th November 2016. Patients' tolerability was evaluated using a structured questionnaire, and the bowel cleansing efficacy was evaluated using the Aronchick Bowel Preparation Scale (ABPS). RESULTS: The group that received PEG solution was found to have better efficacy than that which received Na PICOSUL tablet (63.3% versus 29.4%, respectively, with a P value < 0.028) with excellent grade as per ABPS. The Na PICOSUL group was found better in terms of tolerability than the PEG group as nausea/vomiting was encountered significantly higher in the PEG group than in the Na PICOSUL group (43.3% versus 11.8%, respectively, with a P value < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Colonic preparation with a split dose of Na PICOSUL tablet was better tolerated than the evening before regimen of PEG solution. However, PEG solution was found to be more efficacious in bowel cleansing, but procedural performance and lesion detection were similar for both agents.
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BACKGROUND: Though the type of alcohol consumed is not thought to be associated with alcoholic liver disease (ALD), some studies have shown a beverage-specific effect. In the present study, we aim to study the effects of locally brewed alcoholic beverages on the development of liver disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the internal medicine department of a university hospital in Nepal. All patients classified as having either alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition were evaluated for the presence of ALD. RESULTS: A total of 1,500 patients were screened, of which, 447 patients had ALD. Chronic liver disease (CLD) was detected in 144 patients (9.6%). Most of the patients consumed homemade locally brewed alcohol. On multivariate analysis, the following variables were found to be significantly associated with CLD: male sex (odds ratio [OR]: 1.81; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-2.94; P=0.02): rakshi consumption ≥30 units (OR: 2.53; 95% CI: 1.07-6.01; P=0.04); and tongba consumption (OR: 3.02; 95% CI: 1.22-7.50; P=0.02). CONCLUSION: There was a significant increase in the risk of developing ALD with the consumption of rakshi and tongba after adjusting for total units consumed. The absence of striking differences between our patients with CLD and non-CLD patients with regards to the amount of alcohol consumed demonstrates that, although alcohol consumption is a prerequisite for the development of ALD, other factors like type of alcoholic beverage consumed may be involved.
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Extramedullary hematopoiesis is characterized by the presence of hematopoietic tissue outside the bone marrow. Extrathoracic extramedullary hematopoiesis is a rare and usually asymptomatic condition. We report a case of a 38-year-old female with paraspinal and presacral extramedullary hematopoiesis with polycythemia vera. Clinical and laboratory evaluation, along with radiological and histopathological findings are described. The diagnosis of the disease was confirmed by CT-guided biopsy. Review of literature is presented.
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INTRODUCTION: Accidental mushroom poisoning is constantly seen and regularly reported from all over world. Exact magnitude of problem and its clinical profile in Nepal is not well known. This study was done to evaluate clinical profile and treatment outcome of patients presenting with mushroom poisoning in the department of internal medicine, BPKIHS, Dharan. METHODS: It is a prospective observational study conducted in department of internal medicine, BPKIHS, Dharan from 1st January 2008 to 31st December 2009. Informed consent was taken. All the patients were subjected to necessary laboratory investigation. They were followed up at 1 week and 1 month after discharge. RESULTS: All together 60 patients were analyzed. Majority of subjects 56 (93.3%) were from rural areas. Vomiting and diarrhea were the two most common presentations seen in 56 (93.3%) subjects. The latent period for the symptoms were >6 hours in 4 (6.7%) and <6 hours in 56 (93.3%) subjects. Fulminant hepatic failure was seen in 6 (10%) subjects and among them 4 (66.7%) expired. After admission 3 (5%) subjects developed GI bleeding. Average duration of hospital stay was 4.6 days. In follow up recovery was complete in all subjects who survived the acute phase of poisoning. CONCLUSIONS: Especially in patients coming during rainy season mushroom poisoning should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute gastroenteritis. Mortality is high in subjects with FHF whereas recovery is complete in subjects who survived the acute phase.
