Hepatic Encephalopathy among Patients with Chronic Liver Disease Admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Hepatic encephalopathy is a condition that impairs the neurological and psychiatric function of a patient as a result of advanced liver disease or portosystemic shunt. Early detection and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy can lessen its severity, length of stay in the hospital and potential fatality. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of hepatic encephalopathy among patients with chronic liver disease admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine in a tertiary care centre. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done among patients with chronic liver disease admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine in a tertiary care centre. Data from 1 October 2021 to 15 May 2023 were collected between 20 May 2023 and 30 May 2023 from the hospital records. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 808/2023). The diagnosis was made based on the history, clinical examinations, and gradings were done as per West Haven criteria. Convenience sampling was done. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. Results: Among 389 patients with chronic liver disease, hepatic encephalopathy was seen in 40 (10.28%) (7.26-13.30, 95% Confidence Interval). The mean age of patients was 55.27±13.52 years. Conclusions: The prevalence of hepatic encephalopathy among patients with chronic liver disease was lower than the studies conducted in similar settings

Breast Cancer among Cancer Patients Visiting the Department of Internal Medicine of a Tertiary Centre

Introduction: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide both in terms of incidence and mortality. Its incidence has been on an increasing trend in developing nations including Nepal, however, there is very limited evidence of its demographic profile in our setting. This study aimed to find out the prevalence of breast cancer among cancer patients visiting the Department of Internal Medicine of a tertiary centre. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among cancer patients visiting the Department of Internal Medicine of a tertiary care centre using retrospectively collected data from 1 August 2022 to 30 July 2023 after obtaining ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee. Histopathologically confirmed cancer patients were included and those with incomplete and duplicated data were excluded. A convenience sampling method was used. The point estimate was calculated at a 95% Confidence Interval. Results: Among 2067 cancer patients, the prevalence of breast cancer was 102 (4.93%) (4.00-5.87, 95% Confidence Interval). The mean age was 50.51±2.08 years. The most commonly affected age group was 40 to 60 years constituting 61 (59.80%) patients. Histologically, invasive breast cancer of no special type was the most common and was found in 91 (89.22%) patients. Conclusions: The prevalence of breast cancer was similar to other studies done in similar settings

A Patient Infected with SARS-CoV-2 Presenting with Complete Heart Block

Complete heart block is a rare presentation in a patient with COVID-19 infection that may result when the virus enters the myocardial cell by the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 receptor. Here, we report a case of forty-nine-year male with COVID-19 with complete heart block (CHB).</jats:p

A Patient Infected with SARS-CoV-2 Presenting with Complete Heart Block

Complete heart block is a rare presentation in a patient with COVID-19 infection that may result when the virus enters the myocardial cell by the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 receptor. Here, we report a case of forty-nine-year male with COVID-19 with complete heart block (CHB)

The impact of COVID-19 outbreak and perceptions of people towards household waste management chain in Nepal

AbstractThe spread of COVID-19 is posing significant challenges to the household (HH) waste management sectors putting waste personnel and concerned bodies under massive pressure. The chain of collection, segregation, recycling, and disposal of household generated wastes is interrupted. This study aimed to assess how the household waste management chain was disrupted by novel coronavirus in Nepal and find the perception of the people towards the existing household waste management system (HHWMS). A descriptive online survey was carried out among 512 people using a cross-sectional research design and data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire method. Both descriptive, as well as inferential tests, were conducted using SPSS software. The finding of this study showed that 62.3% of respondents were not satisfied with the present HHWMS. Furthermore, there was a significant association of the satisfaction level of household waste management during coronavirus outbreak with gender, waste volume change in lockdown, PPE for waste collectors, and education on waste handling techniques provided by the government sector at 5% level of significance (p &lt; 0.05). Proper HH waste management has become a challenge, and to address this some innovative works such as awareness programs for people, health and hygiene related support to waste workers, and effective policy formulation and implementation should be done by the Government of Nepal.</jats:p