Publications by authors named "Thilanga Ruwanpathirana"

The disadvantaged populations eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) epidemiology (DEGREE) study was designed to gain insight into the burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) of undetermined cause (CKDu) using standard protocols to estimate the general-population prevalence of low eGFR internationally. Therefore, we estimated the age-standardized prevalence of eGFR under 60 ml/min per 1.73m in adults aged 18-60, excluding participants with commonly known causes of CKD; an ACR (albumin/creatinine ratio) over 300 mg/g or equivalent, or self-reported or measured (HT) hypertension or (DM) diabetes mellitus, stratified by sex and location.

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Article Synopsis
  • The DEGREE study explored the impact of chronic kidney disease of undetermined cause (CKDu) globally by analyzing the prevalence of low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in adults aged 18-60, focusing on participants without known CKD causes.
  • The study included data from 60,964 participants across 43 areas in 14 countries collected from 2007 to 2023, revealing the highest CKDu prevalence in rural areas of Uddanam, India, and Northwest Nicaragua (14%).
  • The findings indicate that CKDu is notably prevalent in specific regions, especially within Central America and South Asia, prompting the need for global monitoring while acknowledging the potential existence of unidentified disease clusters elsewhere.
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Existing evidence on the cost of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programs has focused on pilot and demonstration projects or initial introductions, which resulted in a perceived high cost. We aimed to study the ongoing cost and operational context of an established HPV vaccination program in Sri Lanka. We conducted a retrospective operational research and microcosting study focusing on 2019.

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In response to an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) within a cluster of Navy personnel in Sri Lanka commencing from 22nd April 2020, an aggressive outbreak management program was launched by the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health. To predict the possible number of cases within the susceptible population under four social distancing scenarios, the COVID-19 Hospital Impact Model for Epidemics (CHIME) was used. With increasing social distancing, the epidemiological curve flattened, and its peak shifted to the right.

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Background: Over the last 20 years there have been reports of a form of chronic kidney disease of unknown cause (CKDu) affecting rural communities in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. Valid prevalence estimates, using a standardised methodology, are needed to assess the burden of disease, assess secular trends, and perform international comparisons.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional representative population survey in five study areas with different expected prevalences of CKDu.

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Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in which the disease cannot be attributed to any known cause is named CKD of uncertain aetiology (CKDu). The main aims of this analysis were to estimate the prevalence of hypertension and to identify the associated factors in a rural community vulnerable to CKDu and to identify the effect of hypertension on the renal profile among this community.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional representative population survey in five study areas in Anuradhapura district, a rural district in Sri Lanka.

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Background: Higher dose of vitamin D supplementation 50000 IU is required for those whose serum 25(OH)D levels are 50 nmol/L and below. The increment in serum 25(OH)D though not significantly affected by race, sex or age it is negatively correlated to the baseline 25(OH)D concentration. This study investigated whether the mean increase in serum 25(OH)D will be higher among participants with lower baseline 25(OH)D levels and whether the duration of supplementation has an influence on the serum 25(OH)D achieved.

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The study was designed to model the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of oral Vitamin D supplementation as a primary prevention strategy for cardiovascular disease among a migrant population in Australia. It was carried out in the Community Health Service, Kensington, Melbourne. Best-case scenario analysis using a Markov model was employed to look at the health care providers' perspective.

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The objectives were to review the currently available and widely used cardiovascular risk assessment models and to examine the evidence available on new biomarkers and the nonclinical measures in improving the risk prediction in the population level. Identification of individuals at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), to better target prevention and treatment, has become a top research priority. Cardiovascular risk prediction has progressed with the development and refinement of risk prediction models based upon established clinical factors, and the discovery of novel biomarkers, lifestyle, and social factors may offer additional information on the risk of disease.

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Background: Vitamin D deficiency is a global public health problem associated with increased risk of cardio-metabolic diseases and osteoarthritis. Migrants with dark skin settled in temperate climates are at greater risk of both vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular diseases. This study aims to identify the risk of vitamin D deficiency and associations with cardiovascular disease in a migrant population in Australia.

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