Acute Pancreatitis among Patients Visiting the Department of Surgery in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: Acute pancreatitis is the inflammation of pancreatic parenchyma characterised by severe abdominal pain and nausea. It is a common gastrointestinal disease requiring hospital admission. The death rate for mild acute pancreatitis is low but severe acute pancreatitis can reach up to 40%. This study aimed to find the prevalence of acute pancreatitis among patients attending the Department of Surgery in a tertiary care centre. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 October 2021 to 30 March 2022. The study was conducted after receiving ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee (Registration number: 454). Patients with age more than 18 years were included and patients less than 18 years of age including those suffering from chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic malignancy or immunocompromised states were excluded. Convenience sampling was done. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. Results: Among 1560 patients, the prevalence of acute pancreatitis in our study is 120 (7.69%) (2.92-12.46, 95% Confidence Interval). Out of them, 57 (47.50%) were males and 63 (52.50%) were females. Out of total, hypertension found in 52 (43.33%) was the most common co-morbidity observed followed by diabetes mellitus 18 (15%). Similarly, 80 (66.67%) patients had mild pancreatitis whereas 40 (33.33%) had moderate pancreatitis and 8 (6.67%) had severe pancreatitis. Conclusions: The prevalence of acute pancreatitis among hospital admissions in the department of surgery in a tertiary care centre was found to be similar to other studies done in a similar setting. Keywords: acute pancreatitis; gastrointestinal disease; prevalence.

Internet Addiction among Undergraduate Medical Students of a Medical College: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: Internet addiction denotes the compulsive use of the internet which affects physical, mental, social, psychological and academic aspects of life of an individual. Very few studies among medical students in regard to internet addiction have been conducted. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of internet addiction among undergraduate medical students of a medical college. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in a medical college from September to December, 2021 after obtaining ethical clearance from the Institutional Review Committee (Registration number: 442). The study was conducted among 229 medical students using convenience sampling technique. Internet addiction test questionnaire was used for collecting data. Data were entered in Google Spreadsheet and analysed with Microsoft Excel 2016. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Results: The prevalence of internet addiction among 229 undergraduate students was found to be 121 (52.84%) (43.95-61.73 at 95% Confidence Interval). Out of them, mild and moderate internet addiction accounted for 90 (74.38%) and 31 (25.62%) respectively. Conclusions: The prevalence of internet addiction in this study was higher in comparison to the other studies conducted in similar settings. Keywords: internet addiction; medical students; Nepal; prevalence.

Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding among Patients Admitted in Department of Emergency in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a common medical emergency with significant morbidity and mortality. Its causes can be classified under variceal bleeding or non-variceal bleeding. Peptic ulcer and variceal bleeding are common causes. Thus, this study aims to find the prevalence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding among patients attending the Department of Emergency in a tertiary care centre. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted on patients admitted to the Department of Emergency a tertiary care centre from September 2020 to August 2021 among 3375 patients. The ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee of the hospital (Reference number: 328). Patients presenting with the clinical features of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in the form of hematemesis or melena were enrolled after written informed consent. Data entry was done in Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences version 20.0. for descriptive analysis. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and percentage for binary data. Results: Out of 3375 admissions in the Department of Emergency, 85 (2.52%) (1.99-3.05 at 95% Confidence Interval) patients presented with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Conclusions: The prevalence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding is lower in comparison to other studies done in similar settings. Keywords: bleeding; emergency medicine; upper gastrointestinal tract; varices.

Hypothyroidism among Female Medical Students in a Teaching Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: Hypothyroidism is a common clinical condition of thyroid hormone deficiency and is frequently seen in women. Studies regarding the prevalence of hypothyroidism among healthy young adult females are very less. This study aimed to find out the prevalence of hypothyroidism among female medical students in a teaching hospital. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among first to final-year female medical students in a teaching hospital from 15 August 2021 to 22 January 2022. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee (Registration number: 296). A semi-structured questionnaire was filled out by the students followed by a clinical examination to recognize the high-risk group by Zulewski's scoring criteria. Blood samples were taken from those who were having a score of >5 points for the thyroid function test to confirm hypothyroidism. Convenience sampling method was used. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. Results: Among 141 female medical students, the hypothyroidism was found in 3 (2.12%) (0-4.50, 95% Confidence Interval). Conclusions: The prevalence of hypothyroidism among the female medical students in a teaching hospital was lesser when compared with other studies from similar settings. Keywords: hypothyroidism; medical student; prevalence; thyroid stimulating hormone; thyroxine.

Orthopedic Implant Removal in the Department of Orthopedics of a Tertiary Care Centre of Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Implant removal surgery is one of the common surgical procedures done in orthopedics. Studies report that a major portion of orthopedic surgeries carried out in different institutions comprises implant removal procedures. This can be challenging in limited manpower and infrastructure availability scenarios, like in developing countries like Nepal. This study aims to study the prevalence of orthopedic implant removal procedures carried out among overall surgical procedures in the orthopedic department of a tertiary care center in Nepal. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on the medical records of the department of orthopedics of a tertiary care center after approval from the institutional review committee. The data included records from the starting of 2018 to the end of 2019. Data related to the number of implant removal procedures, types of implants, indications, fracture sites, anesthesia use, gender and age distribution were studied. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20 was used to study descriptive data. RESULTS: Out of 2557 orthopedic operations carried out in the study duration, 458 (17.91%) of implant removal procedures were done in the department. The most common age group was the young adult age group, 255 (55.68%). Medium-sized implants were the commonly removed ones, 337 (73.58%). Elective procedures were the most common indication, 369 (80.57%). CONCLUSIONS: Implant removal procedures cover a major fraction of overall orthopedic operations carried out by the department, most of which are elective procedures. In limited-resource settings, this can be challenging, and a proper evaluation with counseling could be done before implant removal surgery.

Epidemiological and Clinical Pattern of Pediatric Supracondylar Fracture of Humerus in A Provincial Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Supracondylar fractures of humerus are the most common elbow fractures in children consisting of about 15% of all pediatric fractures and more than half of all elbow fractures. A high incidence of nerve injures, and vascular injuries make this fracture a serious injury. Our study aims to study on the clinical and demographic pattern of pediatric supracondylar fracture cases presenting in the hospital retrospectively. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in Seti Provincial Hospital in the month of December. The data from the medical record section was retrospectively collected. A whole sampling technique was used. The descriptive statistical analysis was done. RESULTS: Seven hundred cases were studied, among which the most common age group was found to be 5-10 410 (58.57%). Most of the cases presented in the emergency department 513 (73.28%), and the most common time of presentation was from 3 AM to 6 AM 170 (24.28%). CONCLUSIONS: Supracondylar fracture cases presented as a common injury among pediatric population. It was presented as an emergency more than general cases.

Research and Medical Students: Some Notable Contributions Made in History.

The practice of medicine has started since the existence of humankind on the earth. But the commencement of scientific and evidence-based medicine cannot be traced back so far. The insight we are getting from the current medical science is the output of the laborious effort and contributions made by people before us. The statement stating 'we learn from our past' is in perfect resonant with the practice of clinical medicine. Those past experiences or findings which are scientifically cataloged are crucial in the advancement of modern medicine. The countless researches conducted in various aspects of medical science prove to be strong evidence of our past achievements. Many people's contribution to such research activities in the medical field has taken us this far in modern medicine. In the pool of such people, medical students who are in the early phase of pursuing their career in medicine have also contributed a lot to medical research time and again.

Prevalence of Cervical Cancer among Cervical Biopsies in a Tertiary Care Center.

INTRODUCTION: Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancer among the female population in Nepal. The incidence and mortality rate due to cervical cancer is higher in developing countries like Nepal due to a lack of proper screening and early diagnosis. This study aims to find out the prevalence of cervical cancer among cervical biopsies in a tertiary care center. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the hospital records of cervical biopsies from the department of pathology of Shree Birendra Hospital from 1st May 2018 to 30th April 2019. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee in February 2020. This study was conducted among 146 cervical biopsies by using convenience sampling method. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Data were analyzed using excel 2016 software. RESULTS: The prevalence of cervical cancer among 146 cases included in our study is found to be 6 (4.11%) at 95% Confidence Interval (0.90-7.32). Among those cases of cervical cancer, 4 (66.67%) were squamous cell carcinoma, 1 (16.67%) was adenocarcinoma, and 1 (16.67%) was of other type. Maximum cases of cervical cancer were prevalent among higher age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical cancer-related morbidity and mortality are different in different parts of the world. It's burden is primarily seen in developing countries where there is a lack of effective screening programs.

Blood Donation Practice among Undergraduate Students in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Voluntary blood donation is a reliable source of increasing the demand for blood transfusion. Medical students are the potential pool of blood donors. This study aims to find the prevalence of blood donation practice among medical students of a medical college in Nepal. METHODS: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in a medical college of Nepal among students studying from the first year to final year MBBS. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee of the Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences (Ref no. 245). A stratified random sampling technique was used to collect data. A self-administered pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2016. RESULTS: The prevalence of blood donation practice among medical students of the medical college is 41 (22.20%) (17.35-27.05 at 95% Confidence Interval). The practice of blood donation is seen more among students of the final year 15 (35.71%) and the least among first year 3 (8.57%). Most of the donors, 24 (58.54%), have donated blood only once before. The most common reasons for donating and not donating blood before are 'behavior of altruism' 12 (29.27%) and 'I am not fit/disapproved' 44 (30.56%) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows less prevalence of blood donation practice among medical students. It points to the need for more extensive studies to explore the factors deterring medical students from donating blood. Definitive strategies are also needed to encourage medical students to increased voluntary participation in blood donation.

Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis with Hypokalemia in an Adult Male from Nepal: A Case Report.

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis is rare complication of hyperthyroidism characterized by the sudden onset of hypokalemia and muscle paralysis. It is typically present in young Asian males. There are very few literatures regarding the occurrence of thyrotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis in Nepal. We reported a case of a 35-year-old male presented with the chief complaints of weakness of all four limbs of 1 day duration. He was diagnosed as a case of hyperthyroidism in the past, received treatment for 6 months and left medications on his own 6 months ago. Evaluation during admission revealed severe hypokalemia with serum potassium level 1.3mEq/l and high serum Triiodothyronine (>20.00µg/L) and low serum Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (<0.01µg/L). Potassium supplements resolved muscle weakness and the patient was restarted with anti-thyroid drugs. Hence, hypokalemic paralysis is a reversible cause of paralysis and high index of suspicion as well as timely interventions are required to prevent potential harm. Keywords: hyperthyroidism; hypokalemia; muscle paralysis; thyrotoxic periodic paralysis.