Poster Presentations

Prevalence and Severity of Anaemia across Different Chronic Kidney Disease Stages among Chronic Kidney Disease Patients at Teaching Hospital, Jaffna

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Prevalence and Severity of Anaemia across Different Chronic Kidney Disease Stages among Chronic Kidney Disease Patients at Teaching Hospital, Jaffna Karthiga, M.; Sangavi, T.; Kanistan, J.; Thangarajah, B.R.; Arasaratnam, V. Background: Anaemia and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) are linked to global health challenges. Awareness of anaemia in CKD patients is essential to optimising patient care. However, it remains unknown in selected CKD patients. Objectives: To assess the prevalence and anaemia severity across the CKD stages among patients attending the Nephrology and Medical clinics at Teaching Hospital, Jaffna Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using convenient sampling technique. A total of 137 patients (18 years or more) diagnosed with CKD were recruited and categorized into five CKD stages based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Patients on dialysis, with kidney transplant or erythropoietin therapy were excluded. Serum creatinine and blood haemoglobin concentrations were measured by Jaffe and cyanmethemoglobin methods, respectively. Anaemia and its severity were defined according to the WHO criteria. Patients’ age and gender were entered in to a data extraction sheet. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics in SPSS software. Results: In the selected population, 48.18% (n=66) were anaemic and equally distributed (n=33) between males and females. The mean±SD age of anaemic patients was 51.24±14.59 years. The highest proportion of anaemic patients (13.9%) was observed in stage 3b, followed by stage 4 (12.4%) and stage 2 (10.2%), showing statistical significance (p<0.001). Anaemia was more frequent in females at early CKD stages, while in advanced stages, anaemia was predominantly observed in males. Mild anaemics (63.6%) were highest, followed by moderate (33.3%) and severe (3%) anaemics. Mild anaemia was predominated in males (54.8%), whereas moderate anaemia was more prevalent in females (54.5%). Only females had severe anaemia. Mild anaemia was the most frequent form observed across all CKD stages. Moderate anaemia (22.7%) was distributed evenly between patients in stages 2 and 3b. Severe anaemia was observed only in the patients at stage 4. However, the severity of anaemia was not significantly associated with CKD stages. Conclusions: Anaemia was prevalent in nearly half of the CKD patients, with mild anaemia being the most common across all stages and severe anaemia observed only in advanced stages. Although anaemia prevalence increased significantly with CKD progression, no significant association was found between anaemia severity and CKD stages in selected CKD patients.

Genotypic and Phenotypic Effect of BTNL2 and LTA Genes in Sri Lankan Sarcoidosis Patients

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Genotypic and Phenotypic Effect of BTNL2 and LTA Genes in Sri Lankan Sarcoidosis Patients Rodrigo, M.P.S.N.; Wettasinghe, K.; Rajapakshe, Y. Background: Sarcoidosis is a rare chronic inflammatory disorder affecting multiple organs, including the lungs, lymph nodes, and eyes with symptoms including granulomas, dry cough, and shortness of breath. While several genes have been linked to the disease, environmental and other conditions trigger its onset. Objectives: To identify genetic variants associated with Sarcoidosis by analysing Minor allele frequencies (MAF) of BTNL2 and LTA gene polymorphisms and comparing them with healthy controls to corelate the symptomatic presentation and mutation zygosity of the selected genes Methods: A literature review was conducted to identify relevant genetic variants linked to Sarcoidosis in the Asian population, focusing on the NOD2 gene rs104895462 (C>T), LTA gene rs1041981 (C>A), ANXA11 gene rs1049550 (G>C), and BTNL2 gene rs2076530 (T>C). Blood samples from 22 patients were collected nationwide and genotyped using optimized Tetra-primer Amplification Refractory Mutation System (tetra-primer ARMS) and validated using Sanger sequencing followed by MAF calculation. Results: Our research identified BTNL2 and LTA, with a high disease prevalence in individuals aged 40-50 years, of whom 81.81% had lung granulomas. Among (n=13) individuals carrying the LTA variant, 30.76% were homozygous, while 69.23% were heterozygous with the mutant allele (MAF 0.4091). In contrast, all 9 individuals carrying BTNL2 variants were heterozygous for the mutant allele (MAF 0.2045). The previously reported MAF of BTNL2 is 0.3989 and LTA is 0.36. Our findings strongly associate these genes and sarcoidosis in patients with Sarcoidosis in Sri Lanka, consistent with other Asian studies. Further, BTNL2 modulate T-cell proliferation, while LTA regulates tumor necrosis factor collectively promoting granuloma formation via single nucleotide polymorphisms. Conclusions: This study successfully optimized tetra-primer ARMS PCR for the selected genes and reinforced the genetic basis of Sarcoidosis by analyzing MAF, followed by supporting the involvement of the BTNL2 and LTA genes in observed clinical features.

Relationship Between Hamstrings to Quadriceps Strength Ratio and Balance in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients at Central Chest Clinic, Colombo

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Relationship Between Hamstrings to Quadriceps Strength Ratio and Balance in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients at Central Chest Clinic, Colombo Kurukulasuriya, P.H.A.C.; Miyulasinee, B.A.L.B.; Mendis, M.N.T.; Chellapillai, F.M.D.; Dabare, H.P.M. Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive respiratory condition that frequently leads to lower limb muscle weakness and compromised balance. The hamstrings-to-quadriceps (H:Q) strength ratio is a crucial clinical measure that significantly contributes to postural stability. However, there is a lack of data regarding the relationship between the H:Q ratio and balance in COPD patients in Sri Lanka. Objectives: To assess the relationship between H:Q ratio and balance among COPD patients at Central Chest Clinic, Colombo Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Central Chest Clinic, involving 138 COPD patients selected by convenient sampling, aged between 35-75 years. Demographic information was gathered using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The isometric strength of the quadriceps and hamstrings were measured using a hand-held dynamometer, and the H:Q strength ratios were calculated for both dominant and non-dominant limbs. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was employed to assess functional balance. Data analysis was performed using Spearman correlation with SPSS version 25.0. Results: The mean±SD age of the participants was 63.6±6.7 years with a majority of males (n=113, 81.9%). The mean±SD H:Q strength ratio for the dominant and non-dominant sides were 0.65±0.2, while the mean±SD BBS score was 42.6±11.6. A significant positive correlation was observed in the BBS score with the H:Q ratio of dominant (r=0.41, p=0.000) and non-dominant sides (r=0.28, p=0.001). Conclusions: The study revealed a strong positive relationship between H:Q ratio and balance in patients with COPD. This underscores the importance of lower limb muscle strength in maintaining balance. Hence, incorporating strength training exercises for the hamstrings and quadriceps into pulmonary rehabilitation could enhance balance in this population.

Relationship between Thoracic Mobility and Core Stability among Male School Swimmers Aged 11-17 Years from Selected Schools in Colombo Educational Division

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Relationship between Thoracic Mobility and Core Stability among Male School Swimmers Aged 11-17 Years from Selected Schools in Colombo Educational Division Herath, G.K.; Senanayaka, S.P.; Perera, K.B.; Ranasinghe, T.S.; Fernando, S.P. Background: Swimming is a physically demanding sport that requires a combination of strength, endurance, and flexibility to perform competitively. Among these, thoracic mobility is critical for breathing mechanics, body rotation and stroke efficiency. At the same time, core stability is necessary for preserving appropriate body alignment and lowering energy consumption in the water. Few studies have examined the connection between core stability and thoracic mobility in swimmers. Developing knowledge about this correlation may help with training adjustments and injury prevention. Objective: To investigate the relationship between thoracic mobility and core stability among male swimmers aged 11-17 years in selected schools in Colombo educational Division Methodology: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 150 volunteer participants. The thoracic rotation was evaluated using the lumbar locked thoracic rotation test by iPhone compass app. Core stability was evaluated through the side plank test, trunk flexor test and trunk extensor test, one-minute sit-up strength test and the sit and reach flexibility test. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) test was used to assess the normality of the distribution. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was applied to normally distributed variables, and Spearman’s rank correlation was used for non-normally distributed variables. Results: Results revealed that there was a significant positive correlation between thoracic mobility and core stability (except trunk flexor test) (p<0.05). Right thoracic mobility had a weak, but significant positive correlation with the core strength (r=0.191, p=0.019) while left thoracic mobility did not significantly correlate with core strength. (r=0.155, p=0.058). Conversely, left thoracic mobility showed weak but significant positive correlation with the core flexibility (r=0.169, p=0.038) while right thoracic mobility did not (r=0.152, p=0.064). Conclusion: Thoracic mobility had a weak but significant correlation with core stability components. The findings of this study will benefit the swimmer’s performance, injury avoidance and future research into targeted thoracic mobility training in swimmers.