Background Stroke is usually end result of predisposing conditions that originated years before the ictus. Identification of its modifiable risk factors can help in planning preventive strategies. Objective To study the risk factors of stroke in adult patients. Methods A hospital based prospective cross sectional study was carried out in 160 stroke patients admitted in Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara from November 2007- October 2010. Diagnosis of stroke was confirmed by CT scan of brain. Patients were then investigated for presence of conventional risk factors. The data was statistically analysed using Epi-Info. Results The mean age of stroke patients was 65.98 years ± 10.69 with 126 (78.8%) of patients belonging to age group ? 60 years. It afflicted higher percentage of males 104 (65%) than females 56 (35%). Analysis of stroke subtypes showed preponderance of haemorrhagic stroke in 85 (53.1%) as against infarction in 75 (46.9%) of cases. Other conventional modifiable risk factors were seen as follows: hypertension 98 (61.2 %), cigarette smoking 95 (59.4%), alcohol use 43 (26.9%), left ventricular hypertrophy 44 (27.5%), atrial fibrillation 37(23%), elevated triglyceride 37(23%), diabetes mellitus 15 (9.3%) and elevated total cholesterol 12 (7.5%). Multiple risk factors (? 2) were seen in 122 (76.5 %) cases. ConclusionsThe maximum occurrence of stroke was seen in patients > 60 years. Overall male preponderance and higher occurrence of haemorrhagic stroke was seen in our study. Significant risk factors in order of descending order were hypertension, cigarette smoking, left ventricular hypertrophy, alcohol use, atrial fibrillation and elevated triglycerides.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v9i4.6337 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2011;9(4):244-7

Background: Acute poisoning is a common medical emergency encountered in practice. The knowledge profile of poisoning cases encountered in a particular area is useful to prepare health care professionals to handle these emergencies efficiently. Methods: This retrospective study was carried out by perusing and analyzing the hospital records of all the 160 cases of poisoning admitted above 15 years of age to Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal from July 2008 to June 2011. Results: The maximum percentage (43.1%) of poisoning cases occurred in younger age group (15-24 years). Gender distribution of poisoning cases showed steep rise in males after 40 years of age with male to female ratio of 3.8:1. Suicidal poisoning are most common 122 (76%). Organophosphorus compounds were most common cause of poisoning 67 (41.9%). Conclusion: Highest number of cases of poisoning was encountered in younger age group 15-24 years. There was steep rise of poisoning cases after 40 years of age in males (M:F=3.8:1). Organophosphorus compounds were most commonly used for this purpose. Keywords: Acute poisoning; organophosphorus; snake bite; suicide DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njms.v1i1.5792   Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences. 2012; 1(1): 23-26

Background: With increasing trends towards sedentary life style, obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is rising in our country. In view of importance of diagnosis of MetS in day to day medical practice for early institution of life style therapies to reduce the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk in susceptible population like in diabetes mellitus, this study has been undertaken to study the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Nepalese diabetes by applying National Cholesterol Education Programme/Adult Treatment panel (NCEP/ATP) III and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria.

Background: Out of the total number of patients admitted in coronary care unit (CCU) with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), 75-85% presented with conventional risk factors. On the other hand, lipid profile modification after a cardiovascular event related to acute coronary syndrome has also been recognized. But there are controversies regarding the temporary changes in lipid profile after ACS. In our country, there are limited studies about the basal characteristics of lipid profile and the variability of its components after an ACS.