Universal College

About: Universal College is a education organization based out in Las Piñas, Philippines. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 567 authors who have published 450 publications receiving 1933 citations. The organization is also known as: Universal College of Nursing.

Acute intermittent porphyria: a test of clinical acumen.

Abstract: Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is a rare autosomal dominant hepatic porphyria due to deficiency of hydroxymethylbilane synthase (HMBS), also known as porphobilinogen deaminase leading to accumulation of porphyrin precursors. However, gene defect alone is usually not sufficient to cause an acute attack, and many extrinsic factors play a role. Diagnostic tests are defined, but clinical suspicion is often delayed as symptoms mimic other common conditions. We report a case of a 18-year-old male with severe, persistent, and generalized abdominal pain along with marked hyponatremia, with subsequent development of altered mentation needing intensive care. He improved after infusion of intravenous dextrose. AIP can mimic many common surgical and medical conditions such as appendicitis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, etc., and may lead to extensive diagnostics or surgical intervention if missed. Diagnosis of AIP requires high clinical suspicion. It should be considered in a patient with recurrent abdomin...

Spectrum of Lesions in Urinary Bladder- A Histopathological Study

Abstract: Introduction: The lesions of urinary bladder both non-neoplastic and neoplastic pose a common source of both morbidity and mortality. An accurate diagnosis of these lesions requires cystoscopy which allows a direct visualization of the bladder mucosa and biopsies of suspected lesions. Urinary bladder cancer is sixth most common cancer worldwide and represents a heterogeneous group of neoplasms. The current study aimed to study the different bladder lesions and its clinical features to detect it in early stage and as a mainstay option in the diagnosis and follow up. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective analysis of biopsies of urinary bladder submitted to the department of pathology over a period of 12 months. The study was approved by the institutional review board of the Universal College of Medical Sciences (UCMS-TH). All the urinary bladder biopsies received in the department were included in the study whereas autolysis of specimen and inadequate biopsies were excluded. Results: Among the 36 cases of urinary bladder lesions, the majority (35.36%) were in age group 61-70 years (22.33%). The patients had combination of lower urinary tract symptoms, the commonest being hematuria. 30.55% had non-neoplastic lesions and 69.55% had neoplastic lesion. Among non- neoplastic cases, 5.55% had chronic granulomatous inflammation. Most common neoplastic lesions was infiltrating urothelial carcinoma (n=6) followed by non- invasive urothelial neoplasia (n=5). Conclusion: A variety of lesions occur in urinary bladder and is commonly encountered by pathologist. Hematuria was commonest symptom and the clinicians investigated these patients further, which led to discovery of the urothelial tumors. Identification of these patients has an important impact on prognosis as well as on therapeutic approach.

Iodine Status among Subclinical and Overt Hypothyroid Patients by Urinary Iodine Assay: A Case-Control Study.

Abstract: Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess the differences of iodine status as measured by urinary iodine excretion (UIE) between cases of hypothyroidism and healthy controls. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in cases with subclinical hypothyroidism (n = 58) and overt hypothyroidism (n = 41) and compared with age- and sex-matched healthy euthyroid controls (n = 52) attending Universal College of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Bhairahawa, Nepal. Serum free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were estimated by competitive ELISA and sandwich ELISA, respectively (Diametra, Italy). The urinary iodine concentration (UIC) in urine samples was estimated by ammonium persulfate digestion method recommended by the WHO. Results: A significantly higher median UIC was observed among cases of subclinical hypothyroidism (224.90 μg/l) and overt hypothyroidism (281.0 μg/l) as compared to the controls (189.90 μg/l) (P = 0.0001, P = 0.001). Serum TSH in the cases of subclinical hypothyroid was higher, whereas fT3 was lower as compared to controls (P = 0.028, P = 0.0001), respectively. Similarly, serum TSH in the cases of overt hypothyroid was higher and fT3 and fT4 were lower as compared to controls (P = 0.0001, P = 0.0001, P = 0.015), respectively. There was positive correlation of UIC with TSH (r = 0.269, P = 0.0001), whereas negative correlation was seen with fT3 (r = −0.328, P = 0.0001) and fT4 (r = −0.145, P = 0.076). The test of multiple regression has shown that fT3(β = −0.262, P = 0.012) as an independent predictor in association with UIE in cases. Conclusion: Excessive iodine intake was found in hypothyroid patients as assessed by UIE concluding that it may trigger the thyroid hypofunction. Cohort studies to generate further evidence should be done to explore potential mechanism of hypothyroidism in excess iodine intake.

Predictors of Low Birth Weight at Lumbini Provincial Hospital, Nepal: A Hospital-Based Unmatched Case Control Study.

Abstract: Background. Low birth weight (LBW) is defined as the birth weight of live born infants below 2500 g, regardless of gestational age. It is a public health problem caused by factors that are potentially modifiable. The purpose of this study was to determine the socioeconomic, obstetric, and maternal factors associated with LBW in Lumbini Provincial Hospital, Nepal. Methods. The study was conducted using case control study design with 1 : 2 case control ratio. A total of 105 cases and 210 controls were taken in this study. Data were entered on Epi data software version 3.1 and exported to Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software version 25 for analysis. Characteristics of the sample were described using mean and standard deviation. Bivariate analysis was done to assess the association between dependent and independent variables. The ultimate measure of association was odds ratio. Variables found to be associated with bivariate analysis were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model to identify predictors of LBW. Results. The mean age of the participants was 25.98 years with ±4.40 standard deviation. Mothers with literate educational background (AOR 0.32, 95% CI 0.13–0.81), housewife (AOR 2.63, 95% CI 1.11–6.20), vaginal mode of delivery (AOR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25–0.82), gestational age <37 weeks (AOR 2.51, 95% CI 1.15–5.48), history of LBW (AOR 5.12, 95% CI 1.93–13.60), and maternal weight <50 kilograms (AOR 2.23, 95% CI 1.23–4.02) were significantly associated with LBW. Conclusion. Educational and occupational status, mode of delivery, gestational age, maternal weight, and history of LBW were found to be independent predictors of LBW. There is need of developing coordination with education sector for increasing educational status of mothers and adolescent girls. Social determinants of health need to be considered while developing interventional programs. Similarly, interventional programs need to be developed considering identified predictors of low birth weight.