scholarly journals Pattern of blindness in a community based hospital of Nepal

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-56
Author(s):  
R Sharma ◽  
S Marasini ◽  
BP Nepal

Introduction: Because of the availability of modern health facilities and moderately easy access to health services in the last 25 years, the blindness due to cataract and trachoma is expected to decline in Nepal. So it is felt that the causes of blindness need to be revised. Objective: To regroup the disease pattern leading to permanent blindness in patients attending a suburban multidisciplinary community-based hospital of Nepal. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted in patients attending Dhulikhel hospital over a period of 12 months, from March 2010. Only the patients with best corrected visual acuity of < 3/60 were enrolled in the study. A detailed ocular examination was carried out. Results: A total of 76 eyes of 58 patients were analyzed. Of all, 32 were male (55.2 %). The mean age of the patients was 43.03 ± 22.98, with a range of 7 years to 84 years. Retinal diseases had the higher prevalence (23, 39.7 %) followed by amblyopia (10, 17.2 %) and corneal diseases (9, 15.51 %). Anisometropic amblyopia (3.94 %) was the commonest type of amblyopia. Retinitis pigmentosa (9.21 %) and age-related macular degeneration (7.89 %) were common retinal diseases whereas anterior staphyloma (5.26 %) and leucoma (3.94 %) were common corneal diseases. Other important and rare causes of blindness included ethambutol-induced optic neuropathy and vitelliform dystrophy. Conclusion: Periodic collection of statistics on the relative frequency of the causes of blindness is important in socioeconomically developing nations like Nepal. This helps to revise the pattern of blinding diseases so that priorities can be redefined. Nepal J Ophthalmol 2013; 5(9):50-56 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v5i1.7822

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jehidys Montiel ◽  
Lina M. Zuluaga ◽  
Daniel C. Aguirre ◽  
Cesar Segura ◽  
Alberto Tobon-Castaño ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The indigenous population is considered a highly susceptible group to malaria because individuals usually live in areas with high exposure to Anopheles and poverty, and have limited access to health services. There is a great diversity of indigenous communities in Colombia living in malaria-endemic areas; however, the burden of infection in these populations has not been studied extensively. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Plasmodium infections in indigenous and non-indigenous communities in two malaria-endemic areas in Colombia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in seven villages of Turbo and El Bagre municipalities; three of these villages were indigenous communities. Inhabitants of all ages willing to participate were included. Sociodemographic and clinical data were recorded as well as household information. The parasitological diagnosis was performed by microscopy and nested PCR. The prevalence of microscopy and submicroscopic infection was estimated. An adjusted GEE model was used to explore risk factors associated with the infection. Results Among 713 participants, 60.7% were from indigenous communities. Plasmodium spp. was detected in 30 subjects (4.2%, CI 95% 2.9-5.9); from those, 29 were in the indigenous population, 47% of infections were afebrile, and most of them submicroscopic (10/14). Microscopic and submicroscopic prevalence was 2.5% (CI 95% 1.6-3.9) and 1.7% (CI 95% 0.9-2.9), respectively. In El Bagre, all infections occurred in indigenous participants (3.9%, CI 95% 2.2-7.1), and 81% were submicroscopic. By contrast, in Turbo, the highest prevalence occurred in indigenous people (11.5%; CI 95%: 7.3-17.5), but 88.8% were microscopic. Living in an indigenous population increased the prevalence of infection compared with a non-indigenous population (PR 19.4; CI 95% 2.3-166.7). Conclusion There is a high proportion of Plasmodium infection in indigenous communities. A substantial proportion of asymptomatic and submicroscopic carriers were detected. The identification of these infections, not only in indigenous but also in the non-indigenous population, as well as their associated factors, could help to implement specific malaria strategies for each context.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jehidys Montiel ◽  
Lina M. Zuluaga ◽  
Daniel C. Aguirre ◽  
Cesar Segura ◽  
Alberto Tobon-Castaño ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The indigenous population is considered a highly susceptible group to malaria because they usually live in areas with high exposure to Anopheles and poverty, and have limited access to health services. There is a great diversity of indigenous communities in Colombia living in malaria-endemic areas; however, the burden of infection in these populations has not been studied extensively. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Plasmodium infections in indigenous and non-indigenous communities in two malaria-endemic areas in Colombia. Methods: A Community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in seven villages of Turbo and El Bagre municipalities; three of these villages were indigenous communities. Inhabitants of all ages willing to participate were included. Sociodemographic and clinical data were recorded as well as household information. The parasitological diagnosis was performed by microscopy and nested PCR. The prevalence of microscopy and submicroscopic infection was estimated. An adjusted GEE model was used to explore risk factors associated with the infection. Results: Among 713 participants, 60.7% were from indigenous communities. Plasmodium spp. was detected in 30 subjects (4.2%, CI 95% 2.9-5.9); from those, 29 were in the indigenous population, 47% of infections were afebrile, and most of them submicroscopic (10/14). Microscopic and submicroscopic prevalence was 2.5% (CI 95% 1.6-3.9) and 1.7% (CI 95% 0.9-2.9) respectively. In El Bagre, all infections occurred in indigenous participants (3.9%, CI 95% 2.2-7.1), and 81% were submicroscopic. By contrast, in Turbo, the highest prevalence occurred in indigenous people (11.5%; CI 95%: 7.3-17.5), but 88.8% were microscopic. Living in an indigenous population increased the incidence rate of infection compared with a non-indigenous population (IRR 19.4; CI 95% 2.3-166.7). Conclusion: There is a high proportion of Plasmodium infection in indigenous communities. A substantial proportion of asymptomatic and submicroscopic carriers were detected. The identification of these infections, not only in indigenous but also in the non-indigenous population, as well as their associated factors, could help to implement specific malaria strategies for each context.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Juan-Carlos Herranz-Heras ◽  
Almudena de-Pablo-Cabrera ◽  
Beatriz Alonso-Martín ◽  
Beatriz de-Lucas-Viejo ◽  
Marta de-Castro-Liébana ◽  
...  

Purpose. To analyze patients’ anxiety levels using the Visual Analog Scale for Anxiety (VASA), in regard to intravitreal injection treatment and to determine possible associated risk factors related to the disease and treatment characteristics. Methods. Cross-sectional observational study with consecutive sampling of patients who were going to receive an intravitreal injection. Subjects completed the VASA prior to the procedure, and afterwards, their data were collected from the electronic medical history. Analysis was performed through a linear regression model. Results. Fifty-five men and forty-seven women were enrolled. The mean age was 73.9 ± 12.4 years (mean ± standard deviation (SD)), and the mean ± SD of previous injections was 12.8 ± 12. The most frequent pathologies found were age-related macular degeneration with 46.1% and diabetic macular edema with 36.3%. The median of anxiety levels measured in millimeters (mm) was 16 (interquartile range: 0–48). In univariate models, women presented a mean of 10.8 mm of anxiety more than men ( p = 0.03 ). The adjusted multivariate analysis demonstrated that younger patients declared higher anxiety levels ( p = 0.036 ). No significant association was found between the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) on the day of the injection, the change in BCVA since the beginning of the treatment or the number of injections received, and the registered anxiety levels. Conclusions. Sex and age may have an influence on anxiety levels. BCVA and the number ofinjections received did not seem to have an influence on our patients anxiety levels.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jehidys Montiel ◽  
Lina M. Zuluaga ◽  
Daniel C. Aguirre ◽  
Cesar Segura ◽  
Alberto Tobon-Castaño ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The indigenous population is considered a highly susceptible group to malaria becouse they usually live in areas with high Anopheles exposure and poverty, and have low access to health services. There is a great diversity of indigenous communities in Colombia living in malaria-endemic areas; however, the burden of infection in these populations has not extensively studied. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Plasmodium infections in indigenous and non-indigenous communities in two malaria-endemic areas in Colombia.Methods A Community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in seven villages of Turbo and El Bagre municipalities; three of these villages were indigenous communities. All inhabitants of all ages that were willing to participate were included. Sociodemographic and clinical data were recorded as well as household information. The parasitological diagnosis was performed by microscopy and nested PCR. The prevalence of microscopy and submicroscopic infection was estimated. An adjusted GEE model was used to explore risk factors associated with the infection.Results Among 713 participants, 60.1% were from indigenous communities. Plasmodium spp. was detected in 30 subjects (4.2%, CI 95% 2.9-5.9); from those, 29 were in the indigenous population, 47% of infections were afebrile, and most of them submicroscopic (10/14). Microscopic and submicroscopic prevalence was 2.5% (CI 95% 1.6-3.9) and 1.7% (CI 95% 0.9-2.9) respectively. In El Bagre, all infections occurred in indigenous participants (3.9%, CI 95% 2.2-7.1), and 81% were submicroscopic. By contrast, in Turbo, the highest prevalence occurred in indigenous people (11.5%; CI 95%: 7.3-17.5), but 88.8% were microscopic. Living in an indigenous population increased the incidence rate of infection compared with a non-indigenous population (IRR 19.4; CI 95% 2.3-166.7).Conclusion There is a high proportion of Plasmodium infection in indigenous communities. A substantial proportion of asymptomatic and submicroscopic carriers were detected. The identification of these infections, not only in indigenous but also in the non-indigenous population, as well as their associated factors, could help to implement specific malaria strategies for each context.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jehidys Montiel ◽  
Lina M. Zuluaga ◽  
Daniel C. Aguirre ◽  
Cesar Segura ◽  
Alberto Tobon-Castaño ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The indigenous population is considered a highly susceptible group to malaria because they usually live in areas with high exposure to Anopheles and poverty, and have limited access to health services. There is a great diversity of indigenous communities in Colombia living in malaria-endemic areas; however, the burden of infection in these populations has not been studied extensively. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Plasmodium infections in indigenous and non-indigenous communities in two malaria-endemic areas in Colombia. Methods: A Community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in seven villages of Turbo and El Bagre municipalities; three of these villages were indigenous communities. Inhabitants of all ages willing to participate were included. Sociodemographic and clinical data were recorded as well as household information. The parasitological diagnosis was performed by microscopy and nested PCR. The prevalence of microscopy and submicroscopic infection was estimated. An adjusted GEE model was used to explore risk factors associated with the infection. Results: Among 713 participants, 60.7% were from indigenous communities. Plasmodium spp. was detected in 30 subjects (4.2%, CI 95% 2.9-5.9); from those, 29 were in the indigenous population, 47% of infections were afebrile, and most of them submicroscopic (10/14). Microscopic and submicroscopic prevalence was 2.5% (CI 95% 1.6-3.9) and 1.7% (CI 95% 0.9-2.9) respectively. In El Bagre, all infections occurred in indigenous participants (3.9%, CI 95% 2.2-7.1), and 81% were submicroscopic. By contrast, in Turbo, the highest prevalence occurred in indigenous people (11.5%; CI 95%: 7.3-17.5), but 88.8% were microscopic. Living in an indigenous population increased the prevalence of infection compared with a non-indigenous population (PR 19.4; CI 95% 2.3-166.7). Conclusion: There is a high proportion of Plasmodium infection in indigenous communities. A substantial proportion of asymptomatic and submicroscopic carriers were detected. The identification of these infections, not only in indigenous but also in the non-indigenous population, as well as their associated factors, could help to implement specific malaria strategies for each context.


2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (241) ◽  
pp. 858-861
Author(s):  
Arjun Shrestha ◽  
Rinkal Suwal ◽  
Rajan Shrestha ◽  
Barsha Suwal ◽  
Deepak Khadka

Introduction: Intravitreal Bevacizumab injection has now become a routine procedure for retina specialists throughout the world. Easy availability of this monoclonal antibody molecule even in Nepal has brought a revolution in the management of various retinal diseases. This study aims to find out the prevalence of the use of intravitreal Bevacizumab for retinal diseases at the tertiary eye hospital. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the retina department at a tertiary care hospital from January 2017 to December 2019 after obtaining ethical clearance from Nepal Health Research Council (Ref: 125/2020P). The sample size was calculated and the study enrolled all patients who received intravitreal Bevacizumab for retinal diseases using convenience sampling technique. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science Version 21. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated, along with frequency and percentage for binary data. Results: Out of 959 total surgical retinal interventions done 296 (30.86%) at 95% Confidence Interval (27.93-33.78) patients received intravitreal Bevacizumab. Out of total intravitreal Bevacizumab injections, 143 (36.7%) injections were given to retinal vein occlusions patients, 127 (32.6%) injections were given to diabetic retinopathy patients and 66 (17%) injections was given to age-related macular degeneration patients. Males 176 (59.5%) outnumbered the females 120 (40.5%) in receiving intravitreal Bevacizumab. Mean baseline Logarithm of the Minimal Angle of Resolution visual acuity, 1.1, improved to, 0.75, after 3 months of intravitreal Bevacizumab. Conclusions: Intravitreal Bevacizumab was one of the commonest retinal interventions used. Retinal vein occlusion, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration were the commonest retinal diseases needing intravitreal Bevacizumab.


2003 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 559-569
Author(s):  
E. M. Malik ◽  
E. S. Ahmed ◽  
S. M. Elkhalifa ◽  
M. A. Hussein ◽  
A. M. N. Sulieman

A cross-sectional community-based study was carried out in Khartoum urban area aimed at stratifying the area by risk of malaria transmission. Two thousand households [8092 individuals] were surveyed during the cold, dry and rainy seasons of 2002. Households with screened windows, using bednets or both were 5.0% [95% CI: 4.1-6.0], 10.9% [95% CI: 9.5-12.3] and 1.8% [95% CI: 1.2-2.5] respectively. Access to health services was high. Only 3.8% [95% CI: 2.9-4.7] of households kept antimalarial drugs at home. The parasite rate, spleen rate and fever rate were very low [0.21%, 0.17% and 0.97% respectively]. Overall, people in Greater Bahry suffer a greater burden of malaria than those in Greater Khartoum or Greater Omdurman, with a seasonal pattern of transmission.


1970 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 74-77
Author(s):  
Rukshana Ahmed ◽  
Shamim Ara

Pathological changes in the prostate gland occur commonly with advancing age including inflammation, atrophy, hyperplasia and carcinoma and a change in volume is also evident. Estimation of volume of prostate may be useful in a variety of clinical settings. A cross-sectional descriptive study was designed to see the changes in volume of the prostate with advancing age and done in the Department of Anatomy, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka from August 2006 to June 2007. The study was performed on 70 post-mortem human prostates collected from the unclaimed dead bodies that were under examination in the Department of Forensic Medicine, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka. The samples were divided into three age groups; group A (10-20 years), group B (21-40 years) and group C (41-70 years). Volume of the sample was measured by using the ellipsoid formula. The mean ± SD volume of prostate was 7.68 ± 3.64 cm3 in group A, 10.61 ± 3.99 cm3 in group B and 15.40 ± 6.31 cm3 in group C. Mean difference in volume between group A and group C, group B and group C were statistically significant (p<0.001). Statistically significant positive correlation was found between age and volume of prostate (r = + 0.579, p < 0.001). Key Words: Prostate; volume; Bangladeshi. DOI: 10.3329/imcj.v4i2.6501Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2010; 4(2): 74-77


1970 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-49
Author(s):  
Beatriz Bertolaccini Martínez ◽  
Fernanda Marcelino Da Silva ◽  
Vinícius Tavares Veiga ◽  
Rodrigo Pereira Custódio ◽  
José Vítor Da Silva

Introdução: A pobreza influencia na evolução dos pacientes com doenças crônicas, porque contribui para o seu agravamento e dificulta o acesso à assistência médica. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os aspectos relacionados à desigualdade social de pacientes em hemodiálise. Métodos: Estudo transversal com 123 pacientes em hemodiálise no Hospital Samuel Libânio – Pouso Alegre, MG, divididos, de acordo com a classe econômica, em 3 grupos: AB (n=23), C (n=60) e DE (n=40),. Foram coletados dados sociodemográficos e econômicos, antecedentes clínicos e informações sobre o acesso a serviços de saúde. Para a análise dos resultados, foi utilizada estatística analítica e descritiva. Adotou-se p £ 0,05. Resultados: O grupo AB apresentou um menor número de pacientes jovens (4,3% em AB vs 40% em C e 25% em DE, p < 0,05), um maior número de indivíduos com mais anos de escolaridade (65,3% em AB vs 18,3% em C e 2,5% em DE; p < 0,05), predomínio de pacientes com menos de um ano em tratamento de hemodiálise (65,2% em AB vs 10% em C e 5% em DE, p < 0,05), menor número de usuários do SUS (40% em C e 25% em DE vs 4,3% em AB; p < 0,05) e maior acesso ao tratamento com nefrologista (73,9% em AB vs 46,7% em C e 52,5 em DE; p < 0,05). Conclusão: Classes economicamente desfavorecidas agregam indivíduos mais jovens, com menor escolaridade, usuários do SUS, com maior tempo em hemodiálise e pior acesso ao tratamento com nefrologista.Introduction: The poverty influence on the evolution of patients with chronic diseases because it contributes to your aggravation and hinders access to health care. Our goal was to evaluate the aspects related to social inequality on hemodialysis patients. Methods: cross-sectional study with 123 patients on hemodialysis in Samuel Libânio Hospital – Pouso Alegre, MG, divided according to the economic class, into 3 groups: AB (n = 23), C (n = 60) and DE (n = 40). Were collected socio-demographic and economic data, clinical background and information about access to health services. For analysis of the results has been used statistical analytical and descriptive. We take p £ 0,05.  Results: The AB group has fewer young patients (4,3% in AB vs 40% in C and 25% in DE, p< 0,05), a greater number of individuals with more years of schooling (65,3% in AB vs 18,3% in C and 2,5% in DE; p< 0,05), predominance of patients with less than a year on haemodialysis treatment (65,2% in AB vs 10% in C and 5% in DE, p< 0,05), smaller number of users of SUS (40% in C and 25% in DE vs 4,3% in AB; p< 0,05), greater access to treatment with nephrologist (73,9% in AB vs 46,7% in C and 52,5% in DE; p< 0,05). Conclusion: Economically disadvantaged classes bring younger patients, with less schooling, users of SUS, patients with greater time on hemodialysis and worse access to treatment with nephrologist. 


2021 ◽  
pp. 112067212110057
Author(s):  
Pierre Gascon ◽  
Prithvi Ramtohul ◽  
Charles Delaporte ◽  
Sébastien Kerever ◽  
Danièle Denis ◽  
...  

Purpose: To report the visual and anatomic outcomes in treatment-naïve neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) patients treated with aflibercept under a standardized Treat and Extend (T&E) protocol for up to 3 years of follow-up in “real-life” practice. Methods: This retrospective, observational, multicenter study included patients with treatment-naïve nAMD and at least 12 months of follow-up. T&E regimen adjustment was initiated after loading phase. At each visit best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography parameters were performed. Results: One hundred and thirty-six eyes of 115patients had at least 1 year of follow-up with 114 and 82 eyes completing at least 2 and 3 years of follow-up, respectively (mean follow-up duration: 2.7 ± 1.3 years). Mean age was 78.6 ± 8.6 years old and 52% were women. Mean BCVA increased from 60.6 ± 18.7 letters at diagnosis to 66.9 ± 16.2 letters at 1 year (+6.3 letters, p = 0.003) and remained stable throughout the follow-up period (63.1 ± 20.3 letters (+2.5, p = 0.1) and 64.0 ± 20.1 letters (+3.4, p = 0.27) at 2 and 3 years, respectively). The mean central retinal thickness decreased significantly from 358.2 ± 87.9 µm at baseline to 302 ± 71.7 µm at 12 months and maintained stable after 36 months of follow-up (297.1 ± 76 µm, p < 0.0001). Mean number of injections was 6.6 ± 2.2, 4.8 ± 1.9, and 5.6 ± 1.7 at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. Mean cumulative number of 16.4 ± 5.6 injections after 3 years. Mean treatment interval was 6.8 ± 2.5 weeks at 1 year. Eight-week and 12-week treatment interval were achieved in 59.5% and 19.1%, 65.8%, and 36.8% and 69.5% and 41.5% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that intravitreal injections of aflibercept initiated under a standardized T&E for patients with treatment-naïve nAMD allow for significant visual improvement at 12 months, which was maintained over a 3-year follow-up period.


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