Department of Pharmacology

Vitamin D: Can we use Higher Doses for Wider Indications?

Tue, 01 Oct 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Vitamin D: Can we use Higher Doses for Wider Indications? Liyanage, P.L.G.C.; Weerarathna, T.P.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Among Healthcare Professionals in Sri Lanka- A Cross Sectional Study

Sat, 09 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Among Healthcare Professionals in Sri Lanka- A Cross Sectional Study Madhushika, M.T.; Jayasinghe, S.S.; Liyanage, P.L.G.C.; Malinda, W.A.D.; Abeykoon, P. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to describe the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Adverse Drug Reactions (ADR) reporting among healthcare professionals at Teaching Hospital Karapitiya (THK), a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at THK. The healthcare professionals working in THK who were available during the study period were invited to the study. A self-administered pre-tested questionnaire was administered to the participants. Respondents were evaluated for their knowledge, attitudes and practices related to ADR reporting. The data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software. Results: Of the total 444 respondents, 31% were doctors and 69% were nurses. The majority of respondents, 90% (n = 400) were aware of the term ADR, while 64.8% (n = 288) could correctly define it. Among the respondents, 30.8% (n = 137) knew about the types of ADR and only 15.5% (n = 70) were able to mention a drug that is banned due to ADR correctly. Among the respondents, only 38.7% (n = 172) were aware of a formal process of reporting ADR and, only 35.3% (n = 157) stated that they had seen the ADR reporting form. Further, only 33.7% (n = 150) respondents have recognized ADR during their clinical practice and only a small proportion 18.2% (n = 81) have ever reported an ADR during their practice. Regarding attitudes toward ADR reporting, overall 84.1 (n = 373) had positive attitudes toward ADR reporting, while 13.54% (n = 60) of them stayed neutral and 2.25% (n = 10) had negative attitudes toward ADR reporting. Conclusions: Although the majority were aware of ADR, the knowledge and practices regarding spontaneous reporting of ADR are inadequate. However, most respondents have shown a positive attitude toward ADR reporting. A sincere and sustained effort should be made by concerned bodies to enhance the healthcare professionals’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding ADR reporting.

Prevalence of Myocardial Ischaemia Among Diabetics determined by Validated Sinhala Version of the WHO Rose Angina Questionnaire

Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Prevalence of Myocardial Ischaemia Among Diabetics determined by Validated Sinhala Version of the WHO Rose Angina Questionnaire Liyanage, P.L.G.C.; Sathananthan, P.P. Objectives: The aim of this study was to validate the original version of the Rose Angina Questionnaire (RAQ) and apply it to a group of long standing diabetics in a cross-sectional manner to assess it applicability in clinical settings. Design Setting: After a face validation and piloting the Part A of the Sinhala translated RAQ (SRAQ-Part A) was given to 47 adult patients who presented with chest pain where the possibility of stable angina was considered in the differential diagnosis. In these patients, the diagnosis of stable angina was confirmed by resting ECG. Patients who had a normal resting ECG or changes non-confirmatory of myocardial ischaemia underwent treadmill examination to detect exercise-induced myocardial ischaemia. PartBof the translatedRAQ(SRAQ-Part B) was given to 68 patients who presented with acute chest pain of less than 24 hours where acute coronary syndrome was considered a possibility. These patients underwent serial ECGs and cardiac enzymes/troponin estimations. The validated SRAQ were administered to a group of diabetics (n = 311) attending medical clinics of Teaching hospital, Karapitiya in a cross-sectional manner to detect the prevalence of stable angina or history of acute coronary syndrome. Results: Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive values of SRAQ-PartAwere 86.4%, 76%,76%,86%and of part-B were 74.1, 70%, 93.5%, 31.8%, respectively. Of 311 diabetic patients the prevalence of stable angina in this group of patients would be 31% (95% CI = 26-37%). Part B of the questionnaire, 17 answered positively and rest negatively. Of these 17 positives, 16 were likely to have acute coronary disease. Interpretation: Our analysis shows that the Sinhala translation of the RAQ has an acceptable specificity and sensitivity in detecting either stable angina or acute coronary syndrome. The prevalence of stable angina was 31%among the diabetics selected for this analysis. Galle Medical Journal, Vol 18: No. 1, March 2013:Page 12-15

Comparative Study on Depigmenting Agents in Skin of Color

Tue, 01 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Comparative Study on Depigmenting Agents in Skin of Color Liyanage, A.; Liyanage, P.L.G.C.; Sirimanna, G.; Nanna, S. OBJECTIVE: Skin lightening agents are popular in southern Asia, but there is dearth of evidence on their e ectiveness on Fitzpatrick IV/V skin types. This study was designed to assess the depigmenting e cacy of commercially available and speci cally formulated ointments using the Mexameter® (MX 18). METHODS: This single center prospective study was performed to test ve commercially available preparations (Eldopaque®, Aziderm®, Garnier Dark Spot Corrector®, Ban a Tan Cream® and Neostrata Pigment Lightening Gel) on 28 healthy female volunteers in Phase 1, while ve single active ingredients in lipophilic dispersion (hydroquinone 4%, ascorbyl palmitate 1%, resveratrol 1% arbutin 5% and azelaic acid 20%) were tested on a di erent group of 26 healthy female volunteers in Phase 2. The test agents were applied twice a day for ve days per week and continued for six weeks in both study phases. Weekly Mexameter® measurements were obtained from test sites and negative controls. RESULTS: Signi cant hypopigmentation when compared to untreated controls was observed with Aziderm cream (p<0.05, MWU) and the Neostrata Pigment Lightening Gel (p<0.05, MWU). All formulated preparations showed signi cant reduction in pigmentation; however, only the arbutin (5%) containing formulation revealed signi cant attenuation of pigmentation in comparison to the inactive control (p<0.05, MWU). CONCLUSION: All applications containing active ingredients showed signi cant skin lightening; however, only arbutin was able to demonstrate signi cant diminution of pigmentation when compared to the inactive control.