BMI, HOMA-IR, and Fasting Blood Glucose Are Significant Predictors of Peripheral Nerve Dysfunction in Adult Overweight and Obese Nondiabetic Nepalese Individuals: A Study from Central Nepal

Objective. Nondiabetic obese individuals have subclinical involvement of peripheral nerves. We report the factors predicting peripheral nerve function in overweight and obese nondiabetic Nepalese individuals. Methodology. In this cross-sectional study, we included 50 adult overweight and obese nondiabetic volunteers without features of peripheral neuropathy and 50 healthy volunteers to determine the normative nerve conduction data. In cases of abnormal function, the study population was classified on the basis of the number of nerves involved, namely, “<2” or “≥2.” Multivariable logistic regression analysis was carried out to predict outcomes. Results. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) was the significant predictor of motor nerve dysfunction (P=0.039, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.003–1.127). Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was the significant predictor (P=0.019, 96% CI = 1.420–49.322) of sensory nerve dysfunction. Body mass index (BMI) was the significant predictor (P=0.034, 95% CI = 1.018–1.577) in case of ≥2 mixed nerves’ involvement. Conclusion. FBG, HOMA-IR, and BMI were significant predictors of peripheral nerve dysfunction in overweight and obese Nepalese individuals

Efficacy of Combined Antithrombotic, Statins and Anti-Hypertensive Drugs in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Introduction: Anti-thrombotic, statins and antihypertensive drugs are commonly used for the management of acute ischemic stroke in Nepal but there is no evidence regarding their efficacy in our context. This study aims to explore the efficacy of these combined medications (anti-thrombotic, statins and antihypertensive drugs) in acute ischemic stroke patients for the first time and to assess the risk factors present in those patients. Methods: The study was conducted on 37 acute ischemic stroke patients admitted and treated at the Neurology Department of College of Medical Sciences-Teaching Hospital, Chitwan, Nepal and they were followed at three months (90±10 days). The initial stroke severity and functional disability were evaluated at admission and at 3 months using National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) respectively. The outcome parameters were functional independence (mRS≤2) and mortality at three months (mRS=6). Frequency distribution, Mann-Whitney U-test and χ2 test were performed for statistical analysis. Results: Out of 37 patients, 27 (73%) were Smoker, 22 (59.5%) had hypertension and 19 (51.4%) were alcohol consumer. The stroke severity on admission was statistically significant with functional independence (P=0.003) and mortality (P=0.015) at three month. Similarly, Rankin grade on admission was statistically significant with functional independence (P=0.001) and mortality (P=0.048) at three month. At three months, 20 (69%) survived patients were independent while mortality was seen in eight (21.6%) patients. Conclusions: The management of acute ischemic stroke with combined anti-thrombotic, statins and antihypertensive drugs seems promising and efficacious in mild to moderately severe ischemic stroke. Keywords: antihypertensive; anti-thrombotic; efficacy ; statins; stroke

Prevalence of Hypertension, Obesity, Diabetes, and Metabolic Syndrome in Nepal

Background. This study was carried out to establish the prevalence of cardiovascular risks such as hypertension, obesity, and diabetes in Eastern Nepal. This study also establishes the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its relationships to these cardiovascular risk factors and lifestyle. Methods. 14,425 subjects aged 20–100 (mean 41.4 ± 15.1) were screened with a physical examination and blood tests. Both the International Diabetic Federation (IDF) and National Cholesterol Education Programme's (NCEP) definitions for MS were used and compared. Results. 34% of the participants had hypertension, and 6.3% were diabetic. 28% were overweight, and 32% were obese. 22.5% of the participants had metabolic syndrome based on IDF criteria and 20.7% according to the NCEP definition. Prevalence was higher in the less educated, people working at home, and females. There was no significant correlation between the participants' lifestyle factors and the prevalence of MS. Conclusion. The high incidence of dyslipidemia and abdominal obesity could be the major contributors to MS in Nepal. Education also appears to be related to the prevalence of MS. This study confirms the need to initiate appropriate treatment options for a condition which is highly prevalent in Eastern Nepal

Child with intra cardiac masses and multiple seizure types. Rhabdomyoma, Tuberous sclerosis and possible Lennox-Gastaut syndrome – A rare case report

Rhabdomyoma are the most common benign cardiac tumors. These are tumors with favorable prognosis because they frequently do not cause symptoms and they often regress in numbers and size. Due to frequent association with tuberous sclerosis complex and the resulting neurological impairment, the prognosis can be unfavorable.Here we report a case of a 7 months old boy who was diagnosed as cardiac rhabdomyoma during fetal life by fetal echocardiography and later went on to develop seizures as a part of tuberous sclerosis complex at 6 months of age. This report also highlights the difficulties in obtaining a diagnosis and practicing the latest evidence based treatment in low income underdeveloped country like nepal especially in patients belonging to the lower socioeconomic class due to financial shortages and lack of resources

Stroke subtype, age, and baseline NIHSS score predict ischemic stroke outcomes at 3 months: a preliminary study from central Nepal

Background: The combined medications practice of using antithrombotic agents and statins with or without antihypertensive agents is common in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke in Nepal. Short-term outcomes of the current practice have been studied. We aim to explore the predictors of ischemic stroke outcomes at 3 months, with the current combined medications practice. Methods: The study population (N=56) included acute ischemic stroke patients treated at the Neurology Department of the College of Medical Sciences-Teaching Hospital, Chitwan, Nepal, from May 2014 to August 2014 and followed up at 3 months. Death or disability (modified Rankin scale >2) was defined as poor outcomes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis (

Knowledge, beliefs, and practices on epilepsy among high school students of Central Nepal

Epilepsy continues to increase worldwide but, unfortunately, many high school students have inadequate knowledge of and negative beliefs towards the disease. We aimed to assess the knowledge, beliefs, and practices of epilepsy among high school students of Central Nepal. . A cross-sectional study was performed involving 1360 high school students from 33 private schools across Bharatpur, from June 2013 to July 2013, to assess their knowledge, beliefs, and practices (KBP) on epilepsy using a standardized questionnaire. The differences in mean KBP scores between different sexes, religions, and those personally knowing versus not knowing someone with epilepsy were assessed using independent -tests; a Pearson correlation was calculated to assess the relationship between KBP scores and age. . Of 1360 participants, 79 (5.8%) students had never heard or read about epilepsy and were consequently excluded from statistical analysis. Only 261 out of 1360 (19.2%) had personally known someone with epilepsy. The mean KBP scores were 5.0/8, 7.4/12, and 1.7/3, respectively. Statistically significant differences were only observed in the knowledge component of the KBP score; female scored higher than males ( < 0.001) and, interestingly, students who had personally known a person with epilepsy actually knew less than those who had not known one ( = 0.018). We also found a significant negative correlation between knowledge and age ( = 0.003). . The overall knowledge, beliefs, and practices appear to be inadequate, emphasizing the need for further educational intervention

Renal impairment in stroke patients: A comparison between the haemorrhagic and ischemic variants [version 2; referees: 2 approved, 1 not approved]

Background: Renal impairment is regularly seen in hospitalized stroke patients, affecting the outcome of patients, as well as causing difficulties in their management. A prospective cohort study was conducted to assess the trend of renal function in hospitalized ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke patients. The incidence of renal impairment in these subgroups, the contributing factors and the need for renal replacement in renal impaired patients was evaluated. Methods: Alternate day renal function testing was performed in hospitalized stroke patients. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (e-GFR) was calculated and the trend of renal function in the two stroke subgroups (haemorrhagic and ischemic) was assessed, with renal impairment defined as e-GFR < 60mL/ minute per 1.73m2. Results: Among 52 patients, 25 had haemorrhagic stroke (mean age 59.81 ± 14.67) and 27 had ischemic stroke (mean age 56.12 ± 13.08). The mean e-GFR (mL/minute per 1.732m2) at admission in the haemorrhagic stroke subgroup was 64.79 ± 25.85 compared to 86.04 ± 26.09 in the ischemic stroke subgroup (p=0.005). Sixteen out of 25 (64%) patients in the haemorrhagic stroke subgroup and 9 out of 27 (33.3%) patients in the ischemic subgroup developed renal impairment (p=0.027). The location of the bleed (p=0.8), volume of hematoma (p=0.966) and surgical intervention (p=0.4) did not predispose the patients to renal impairment. One out of 16 patients with haemorrhagic stroke (who eventually died), and 2 out of 9 patients with ischemic stroke required renal replacement. Conclusion: Renal impairment is commonly seen in stroke patients, more so in patients who suffered haemorrhagic strokes.  The impairment, however, is transient and rarely requires renal replacement therapy

Renal impairment in stroke patients: A comparison between the haemorrhagic and ischemic variants [version 1; referees: 2 approved, 1 not approved]

Background: Renal impairment is regularly seen in hospitalized stroke patients, affecting the outcome of patients, as well as causing difficulties in their management. A prospective cohort study was conducted to assess the trend of renal function in hospitalized ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke patients. The incidence of renal impairment in these subgroups, the contributing factors and the need for renal replacement in renal impaired patients was evaluated. Methods: Alternate day renal function testing was performed in hospitalized stroke patients. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (e-GFR) was calculated and the trend of renal function in the two stroke subgroups (haemorrhagic and ischemic) was assessed, with renal impairment defined as e-GFR < 60mL/ minute per 1.73m2. Results: Among 52 patients, 25 had haemorrhagic stroke (mean age 59.81 ± 14.67) and 27 had ischemic stroke (mean age 56.12 ± 13.08). The mean e-GFR (mL/minute per 1.732m2) at admission in the haemorrhagic stroke subgroup was 64.79 ± 25.85 compared to 86.04 ± 26.09 in the ischemic stroke subgroup (p=0.005). Sixteen out of 25 (64%) patients in the haemorrhagic stroke subgroup and 9 out of 27 (33.3%) patients in the ischemic subgroup developed renal impairment (p=0.27). The location of the bleed (p=0.8), volume of hematoma (p=0.966) and surgical intervention (p=0.4) did not predispose the patients to renal impairment. One out of 16 patients with haemorrhagic stroke (who eventually died), and 2 out of 9 patients with ischemic stroke required renal replacement. Conclusion: Renal impairment is commonly seen in stroke patients, more so in patients who suffered haemorrhagic strokes.  The impairment, however, is transient and rarely requires renal replacement therapy