http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/9397 Tue, 28 Apr 2026 02:05:46 GMT 2026-04-28T02:05:46Z http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/9405 Outlook for the Pharmacy Profession at the Dawn of the Decade 2020s Pathirana, W Pharmacy profession operated at elementary level in Sri Lanka well up to the beginning of the 21 st century. Their training programs were limited to certificate level, with courses of 1-2 years duration. With the introduction of the four-year university degree programs, pharmacy profession now carry the prospects of making good for the lost time. However, they still appear to be professionally somewhat timid hindering the realization of their full potential. There are many encouraging developments which are bound to promote a bright future. The positive, negative and many other areas related to pharmacy profession are discussed Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/9405 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/9404 Two Atypical Cases of Classical Hairy Cell Leukaemia and Hairy Cell Leukaemia Variant: A Case Study Ranatunga, S.A.C.D; Balasuriya, B.L.T; Kariyawasan, C.C Introduction: Classical Hairy Cell Leukaemia (cHCL) and Hairy Cell Leukaemia variant (HCL-v) are both rare and slow-growing mature B cell neoplasms. According to flowcytometry data, they fall into the group classified as CD5- CD10- B cell lymphoproliferative disorders. Methods: Two cases with features atypical to two neoplasms at the time of diagnosis were studied. Results: Case 1 was a 15 year old male with right cervical lymph nodes (1x1 cm) in the posterior triangle, a few ecchymotic patches on the arm and a massive splenomegaly. C-reactive protein (CRP) level was 53 mg/dL. Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) was 98 mm/1 st hour. Full Blood Count (FBC) revealed typical features of pancytopenia with monocytopenia. The liver and renal profiles were normal. Morphology of bone marrow was suggestive of cHCL. Flowcytometry and BRAF V600E mutation was positive confirming the diagnosis of cHCL. Case 2 was a 55 year old male presenting with moderate splenomegaly and absolute lymphocytosis. The FBC revealed leukocytosis which is commonly seen with monocytopenia. Blood pictures revealed many hairy cells with moderately basophilic cytoplasm and visible nucleoli suggesting HCL-v. Flowcytometry findings and negative BRAF V600E mutation confirmed HCL-v. Conclusions: Clinical findings, blood images, morphology of bone marrow, flowcytometric findings and positive BRAF V600E mutation confirmed the diagnosis of cHCL in Case 1 (15 year old boy) making it as a very rare case. The morphological findings on blood, the presence of characteristic CD markers on flowcytometry and negativity of BRAF V600E confirmed the Case 2 as HCL-v, despite having CD10 positivity and monocytopenia. Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/9404 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/9403 Health Related Quality of Life of Children with Thalassemia Major in Two Selected Hospitals in Sri Lanka Silva, W.A.S.V; Peiris, H.H Introduction: Thalassemia is an inherited hemoglobin disorder. There are two types; thalassemia major and minor. Thalassemia major directly affects children’s physical, emotional, social and school functions. Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is an important indicator to assess the health of human. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted using 60 children (age 2-12 years) with thalassemia major who attended clinics in two selected hospitals in Sri Lanka from July to September 2018. Demographic data and risk factors were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. HRQoL data were collected using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Version 4.0 Generic Core Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: Mean values of the total functioning scores of physical, emotional, social and school were 89.42 (±9.20), 87.83 (±10.43), 95.00 (±7.53) and 78.75 (±14.13) respectively. Age of the children was significantly associated with emotional functioning (p=0.046), school functioning (p=0.023), psychosocial health (p=0.021) and the total summary score (p=0.006). Total number of blood transfusions per year of the patient was significantly associated with physical functioning (p=0.002), psychosocial health (p=0.045) and total summary score (p=0.034). Conclusions: Age and the total number of blood transfusions per year significantly affect the HRQoL of children with thalassemia major. Gender, type of iron chelation and age at first blood transfusion did not affect HRQoL of the children. Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/9403 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/9402 The Prevalence of Depression among Undergraduates of a Selected Medical Faculty in Sri Lanka Kodagoda, A.S.K; Meegoda, M.K.D.L Introduction: Depression is a common mental disorder which can lead to major problems such as suicidal attempts. It is well known that the demands and pressure on undergraduates in medical faculties create tremendous challenges which result in an extensive range of psychological ailments like depression. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of different levels of depression among undergraduates in a selected medical sciences faculty in Sri Lanka. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a convenient sampling technique among students in a selected medical faculty. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) was used to assess depressive symptoms of the respondents. Descriptive analysis was done using SPSS version 23. Results: Mean age of the sample (n=397) was 24.1±2.5 years. The mean score obtained for depression was 10.5±8.3. Only 38.5% of the respondents had normal level of depressive symptoms while 7.1% and 4.0% of the respondents presented severe and extremely severe symptoms, respectively. Age (p=0.011) and academic year (p=0.001) showed a significant association with depression. Conclusions: The study demonstrates a considerable prevalence in different levels of depressive symptoms among undergraduates who are enrolled in medical and allied health sciences programmes. Therefore, it would be highly beneficial to reduce depressive symptoms by early identification. Studies to identify causes and interventional studies will contribute to implement measures to improve identification, and reduce the prevalence of depression among undergraduates. Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://dr.lib.sjp.ac.lk/handle/123456789/9402 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z