Young-Onset Diabetes in Sri Lanka: Experience From the Developing World.

Young-onset diabetes (YOD) is characterised by unique diagnostic and management challenges more pronounced in resource-limited settings like Sri Lanka. We aimed to ascertain the prevalence, patterns and characteristics of YOD in Sri Lanka and describe the state of care. Retrospective review of baseline data of all patients enrolled in the prospective multicentre Database for Young-Onset Diabetes, Sri Lanka (DYOD-SL), was performed, from April 2021 to April 2023.

Rapid supervised levothyroxine absorption test in refractory hypothyroidism: suggestion for assessing absorption using two blood samples in low-resource settings.

Refractory hypothyroidism is associated with high morbidity and increased healthcare expenditure. In general, the use of the levothyroxine absorption test looks promising in evaluating refractory hypothyroidism but has shown significant variability in protocols in multiple settings. We intended to assess the usefulness of the levothyroxine absorption test in a low-resource setting and to assess the factors associated with refractory hypothyroidism.

A novel proprioceptive rehabilitation program: A pilot randomized controlled trail as an approach to address proprioceptive deficits in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy.

Background: Diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) is a notable microvascular complication of DM, affecting 16%-66% globally. DPN often leads to proprioceptive deficits in the lower limbs (LL), leading to impaired functional performance. However, evidence supporting proprioceptive rehabilitation programs (PRP) for DPN remains scarce.

Association of pharmacogenomic, clinical and behavioural factors with oral levothyroxine (LT-4) dose of hypothyroid patients in Sri Lanka: a matched case control study.

Background: Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder that exerts a substantial influence on people all over the world. Levothyroxine (LT-4) is the drug of choice for the treatment of hypothyroidism and the starting oral dose is typically ranging from 1.5 to 1.

Comparison of glycaemic control and anthropometric parameters before and after Ramadan fasting in a selected cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Sri Lanka.

Introduction: The majority of Sri Lankan Moors fast during Ramadan. This may have an effect on their glycaemic control and anthropometric parameters. However, limited information exists about the impact of Ramadan fasting on diabetes in Sri Lanka.

Over-the-counter protein supplement resulting in impaired thyroxine absorption in a hypothyroid patient.

Summary: Whey protein is a popular dietary supplement that is claimed to provide multiple health benefits. It has been shown to delay gastric emptying and impair ileal nutrient absorption. Additionally, some of the other additives like papain enzyme, soy lecithin in these protein supplements could interfere with L-thyroxine absorption.

Paraganglioma presenting as hypertension during pregnancy, proteinuria, thrombocytosis, and diabetes mellitus: a case report.

Background: Paraganglioma is a very rare cause of pregnancy-induced hypertension. The objective of this case report is to present a case of paraganglioma presented during pregnancy and missed. Later, the diagnosis was made during the postpartum period because of persistence of hypertension.

Laparoscopic Bilateral Adrenalectomy in a Young Female Patient with Recurrent Cushing's Disease.

Introduction: Synchronous bilateral adrenalectomy is undertaken less often due to numerous perioperative challenges and rare circumstances of patients needing this procedure. Bilateral adrenalectomy is an important second-line option for patients with persistent or recurrent hypercortisolism following transsphenoidal surgery for Cushing's disease. Here, we present a challenging case of synchronous laparoscopic bilateral adrenalectomy for a young female patient with recurrent Cushing's disease and fertility wishes.

A Practitioner's Toolkit for Insulin Motivation in Adults with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Evidence-Based Recommendations from an International Expert Panel.

Aim: To develop an evidence-based expert group opinion on the role of insulin motivation to overcome insulin distress during different stages of insulin therapy and to propose a practitioner's toolkit for insulin motivation in the management of diabetes mellitus (DM).

Background: Insulin distress, an emotional response of the patient to the suggested use of insulin, acts as a major barrier to insulin therapy in the management of DM. Addressing patient-, physician- and drug-related factors is important to overcome insulin distress.

High Prevalence of Overweight/Obesity in Urban Sri Lanka: Findings from the Colombo Urban Study.

Background: South Asian countries face a double burden of malnutrition characterized by high prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity. Understanding the distribution of this public health problem is important to tailor targeted interventions for communities. The objective of the current study was to find out the prevalence of obesity in urban Sri Lanka and to identify sociodemographic factors associated with it.

Oily fish, coffee and walnuts: Dietary treatment for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Rates of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are increasing worldwide in tandem with the metabolic syndrome, with the progressive form of disease, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) likely to become the most common cause of end stage liver disease in the not too distant future. Lifestyle modification and weight loss remain the main focus of management in NAFLD and NASH, however, there has been growing interest in the benefit of specific foods and dietary components on disease progression, with some foods showing protective properties. This article provides an overview of the foods that show the most promise and their potential benefits in NAFLD/NASH, specifically; oily fish/ fish oil, coffee, nuts, tea, red wine, avocado and olive oil.

Hypopituitarism following envenoming by Russell's vipers (Daboia siamensis and D. russelii) resembling Sheehan's syndrome: first case report from Sri Lanka, a review of the literature and recommendations for endocrine management.

Russell's vipers (Daboia russelii and D. siamensis) inhabit 10 South and South East Asian countries. People envenomed by these snakes suffer coagulopathy, bleeding, shock, neurotoxicity, acute kidney injury and local tissue damage leading to severe morbidity and mortality.