Publications by authors named "Leena Balakumaran"
Background & Aims: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a complex trait with an estimated prevalence of 25% globally. We aimed to identify the genetic variant underlying a four-generation family with progressive NAFLD leading to cirrhosis, decompensation, and development of hepatocellular carcinoma in the absence of common risk factors such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Methods: Exome sequencing and genome comparisons were used to identify the likely causal variant.
Background: Over the last few years, the importance of leptin in energy metabolism has been extensively studied in both animal models and in humans. Very few results are available on the association between human leptin gene () variants and obesity traits in India. We designed this study to analyse the polymorphisms in human leptin gene and the association of sequence variants with obesity among the population in Kerala, South India.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global problem growing in parallel to the epidemics of obesity and diabetes, with South Asians being particularly susceptible. Nutrition and behaviour are important modifiers of the disease; however, studies to date have only described dietary patterns and nutrients associated with susceptibility to NAFLD.
Methods: This cross-sectional case-control study included 993 NAFLD patients and 973 healthy controls from Trivandrum (India).
Objective And Design: The study aimed at assessing the therapeutic efficacy and safety of metadoxine versus placebo on the ultrasonographic and histological features of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
Subjects: 134 subjects with biopsy-confirmed NASH were randomized to receive metadoxine 500 mg two times daily (n = 75) or placebo (n = 59) added to the standard of care, over 16 weeks.
Efficacy Endpoints: Originally, the primary efficacy endpoint was the composite of: reduction in the steatosis by ≥1 grade, reduction in hepatic necro-inflammation by ≥1 grade and ALT normalization.
Background: The diagnosis of intestinal tuberculosis (ITB) is sometimes difficult to establish and requires endoscopic investigation with biopsies for histopathological examination. This study aimed to evaluate calprotectin as a marker of inflammation in ITB.
Methods: Patients with ITB were prospectively recruited in Southern India from October 2009 until July 2012.
Faecal calprotectin levels differentiate intestinal from pulmonary tuberculosis: An observational study from Southern India.
United European Gastroenterol J
October 2014
Background: Current methods to establish the diagnosis of intestinal tuberculosis are inadequate.
Objectives: We aimed to determine the clinical features of intestinal tuberculosis and evaluate inflammatory biomarkers in intestinal as well as pulmonary tuberculosis.
Methods: We recruited 38 intestinal tuberculosis patients, 119 pulmonary tuberculosis patients and 91 controls with functional gastrointestinal disorders between October 2009 and July 2012 for the investigation of clinical features, C-reactive protein (CRP), faecal and serum calprotectin.
Aim: To investigate whether routinely measured clinical variables could aid in differentiating intestinal tuberculosis (ITB) from Crohn's disease (CD).
Methods: ITB and CD patients were prospectively included at four South Indian medical centres from October 2009 to July 2012. Routine investigations included case history, physical examination, blood biochemistry, ileocolonoscopy and histopathological examination of biopsies.
Acupressure to reduce labor pain: a randomized controlled trial.
Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand
November 2010
Objective: To evaluate the effect of acupressure administered during the active phase of labor on nulliparous women's ratings of labor pain.
Design: Randomized controlled trial.
Setting: Public hospital in India.