Factors associated with health related quality of life of patients with stroke in Sri Lankan context.

Background: Stroke is a major global health concern which affects the health related quality of life (HRQOL). As the prevalence of stroke is increasing especially in lower-middle income countries, it is vital to identify the factors associated with the HRQOL of affected individuals. Available literature for post stroke HRQOL and the associated factors are mainly from high income countries.

Associated factors for cognition of physically independent elderly people living in residential care facilities for the aged in Sri Lanka.

Background: As the elderly population and prevalence of dementia is increasing, it is necessary to have a better comprehension of the influence of specific factors on cognitive function. Dementia is not an inevitable consequence of ageing. Lifestyle factors might either increase or decrease the risk.

Effect of cognitive and executive functions on perception of quality of life of cognitively normal elderly people dwelling in residential aged care facilities in Sri Lanka.

Background: Although cognitive functions affect the health related quality of life (QoL), the relationship between perceived QoL and cognition including executive functions has not been studied adequately. Available studies show moderate to weak correlations. We evaluated the association of cognition and executive functions, namely working memory (WM) and inhibitory control (IC) with the perceived QoL of a sample of elderly people dwelling in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) in Southern Province of Sri Lanka.

Effects of acute organophosphorus poisoning on function of peripheral nerves: a cohort study.

Background: Following acute organophosphorus (OP) poisoning patients complain of numbness without objective sensory abnormalities or other features of OP induced delayed polyneuropathy. The aim of this study was to measure peripheral nerve function after acute exposure to OP.

Methods: A cohort study was conducted with age, gender and occupation matched controls.

Autonomic function following acute organophosphorus poisoning: a cohort study.

Autonomic dysfunction after chronic low level exposure to organophosphorus (OP) pesticides has been consistently reported in the literature, but not following a single acute overdose. In order to study autonomic function after an acute OP overdose, sixty-six overdose patients were compared to 70 matched controls. Assessment of autonomic function was done by heart rate response to standing, deep breathing (HR-DB) and Valsalva manoeuvre; blood pressure (BP) response to standing and sustained hand grip; amplitude and latency of sympathetic skin response (SSR); pupil size and post-void urine volume.

Effects of deliberate ingestion of organophosphate or paraquat on brain stem auditory-evoked potentials.

Organophosphate (OP) and paraquat (PQ) ingestion is a serious health problem. A common pathology behind OP or PQ poisoning is the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which is known to cause ototoxicity. The aim of the study was to identify the effects of deliberate ingestion of OP or PQ on brain stem auditory-evoked potentials (BAEPs).