BackgroundHypertension is a cardiovascular disorder rapidly emerging as a major public health problem in developing countries and is the most widely recognized modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to find out the prevalence and associated risk factors with hypertension among people aged 50 years and more in Banepa Municipality, Kavre, Nepal. MethodsIt is a cross-sectional, population based study which was carried out in Banepa Municipality from May 15 to June 15, 2009. Among total 11 wards of Banepa municipally, wards number 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 10 were selected by using Simple Random Sampling Technique and 405 subjects of people aged 50 years and more were selected for study from the selected wards by using Cluster Sampling. The structured interview method was used for collection of data. Mercury sphygmomanometers with standard cuff were used to measure the indirect auscultatory arterial blood pressure. Two consecutive blood pressure readings were taken and average of them was calculated to determine single value of blood pressure. ResultsThe prevalence of hypertension was 44.9 percent (47.75% in male and 42.73% in females). Among them, only 32.9 percent (60/182) were previously diagnosed as hypertension. The higher proportion of hypertensive cases were in age > 65 years (55.49%) than in the age group < 65 years (36.32%). The prevalence of hypertension was seen positively associated with non vegetarian eating habits, alcohol consumption, and > 25 Body max index. Taking green leafy vegetable at least once a week was negatively associated with the prevalence of the hypertension. ConclusionThese findings provide important information on the prevalence, associated factors of hypertension in Banepa Municipality. Effective public health measures and strategies are needed to improve prevention, diagnosis and access to treatment of these 50 years and above population.

Communicable and respiratory tract diseases especially chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases are the main reasons of admission in medical ward of low and middle income countries. This is different from the developed countries where non communicable diseases are the main reasons of hospital admission. In developing countries the data of hospital admission are still lacking. Therefore this study will help us to assess the common patterns of diseases admitted in a medical ward, the average length of hospital stay etc. The record of 1040 hospitalized patients in medical ward was analyzed for the period of six months from Jan 2010 to Jun 2010. Patient’s medical records were retrieved and data analysis was done to obtain age, sex, common diagnosis, the affected system and the duration of the hospital stay. The data was analyzed by using SPSSV 16. After reviewing the data the most common age of patients being admitted were between 46-65 years (31.5%) followed by more than 65 years (25%) between 26-45 years (21.28%) and less than 25 years (21.28%). Among the admitted patients females were more than the males except in neurolog ward. The most effected system was respiratory (31.73 %),and the most common diagnosis was Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (23.17%). The next common system involved was gastroenterology including liver (18.64%) ,genitourinary (12.01%), cardiovascular ( 11.34%), neurology (9.23%), endocrine (4.80%) hematology (2.30%). The cause for hospital admission by infection in different system was (30.08%) The average duration of hospital stay of the patients was less than 7 days. The respiratory diseases and the infectious disease are the most common disease in Nepal. The communicable diseases still hold a greater position, while non communicable diseases are main reasons for admission to the medical wards in developed countries. Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal,2012,Vol-8,No-2, 7-11 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v8i2.6831

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Background: Respiratory tract infection due to Gram-negative bacteria is a common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study was carried out to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Gram-negative bacteria from patients with lower respiratory tract infection visiting Kathmandu University Hospital.Methods: A total of 3,403 respiratory samples including sputum and endotracheal aspirates were processed and antibiotic resistance pattern was determined following Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute guidelines. Patients’ information was obtained after informed consent.Results: Growth of Gram-negative bacteria was 210 (6.17%). 83(39.52%) were Klebsiella pneumoniae followed by Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter species, Klebsiella oxytoca, Enterobacter species, Proteus mirabilis and Haemophilus influenzae. 151(71.90%) isolates were multidrug resistant. None of the strains were resistant to colistin. 51(24.29%) were resistant to carbapenem and out of these 3(1.43%) were metallo-? lactamase producers. 89(65.92%) of the patients having both pneumonia along with other respiratory illnesses were above 60 years of age indicating that old age might be a predisposing factor. (p value is less than 0.0001). 92(81.42%) of patients of age above 60 years had multidrug resistant isolates indicating that old age might be a predisposing factor for getting infection my multidrug resistant isolates. (p value equals 0.0012) Among 36 diabetic patients 33(91.67%) had multidrug resistant isolates. Whereas out of 174 non-diabetic patients only 118(67.82%) had multidrug resistant isolates (p value equals 0.0037).Conclusions: Multidrug-resistant Gram negative bacteria were observed in respiratory samples. Effective treatment of lower respiratory tract infection need detailed microbiological diagnosis and drug susceptibility testing.Keywords: ESBL; LRTI; MBL; MDR

Background Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is the most common cardiovascular disease in children and young adults. Though declined and almost non-existent in developed nations, RHD is still one of the leading cause for premature death and disability in developing countries. Prevalence of RHD is high in both rural as well as urban area of Nepal. Present study is designed to look at the pattern of valvular involvement and demographic features in RHD. Methods 326 Patients indicated for inj. Benzathine penicillin were selected and echocardiograph performed to see the pattern of vavular involvement. Data analysis was done using SPSS 17. Result The most common type of lesion was mixed type with mitral valve involvement. MR was the most common isolated lesion. MS was more commonly seen in females whereas AS was more common in males. Secondary prophylaxis was more common than primary prophylaxis. Conclusion RHD still being a major problem and a preventable disease so extensive screening program is required to identify them early and prevent the complication. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njh.v9i1.8342 Nepalese Heart Journal Vol.9(1) 2012 pp.16-19

Background Coronary artery disease (CAD) is associated with the numbers of risk factors causing coronary atherosclerosis. Coronary artery stenosis is mostly caused by coronary atherosclerosis.Objective This study aims to analyze the association between coronary artery stenosis and cardiovascular risk factors.Methods An observational study was conducted among CAD patients. The diagnostic coronary angiogram was performed from femoral approach using standard catheters and techniques to find out any abnormalities.Result A total 73 patients (44 male and 29 female) with coronary artery disease undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography was included with the documented cardiovascular risk factors. The coronary stenosis was found in 40 patients on the basis of stenosis grading. Among the established cardiovascular risk factors, sex, diabetes mellitus and smokers show are significantly associated with coronary stenosis among CAD patients. The present study shows the significant association of coronary stenosis among male CAD patients (OR 2.47; CI 0.94 – 6.48, p <0.05) and similar association has been observed in diabetes mellitus (OR 3.32; CI 1.12 – 9.84, p <0.05) and smoking (OR 4.10; CI 1.45 – 11.61, p <0.01).Conclusion The prevalence of CAD is increased with numbers of presence of cardiovascular risk factors. Male gender, diabetes mellitus and smoking are significantly associated with coronary stenosis among CAD patients. However, hypertension and dyslipidemia are comparable between coronary stenosis and no significant stenosis group.Kathmandu University Medical Journal Vol.12(2) 2014: 137-140