Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of type 2 diabetes, impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) among patients visiting a tertiary level teaching hospital in south-western Nepal. Material & Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted among subjects (n=17082) who visited outpatient department of the Universal College of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UCMSTH), Bhairahawa, Nepal for their medical checkup.  Data related to age, sex, hospital number and blood glucose concentration of the study subjects were collected from hospital records and analyzed for the frequency study. Results: The average frequency of type 2 diabetes was found to be 6.1% over a period of five years and it was significantly (p=0.0232) higher in males (3.4%) than in females (2.8%). Frequency of IFG and IGT were found to be 2.31% and 2.70% respectively. The frequency of type 2 diabetes, IFG and IGT was significantly higher in males and age group of 51-60 years. Conclusion: The frequency of type 2 diabetes and impaired glycemia is increasing every year in south-western part of Nepal. We recommend that efforts be made by all the stakeholders to curb this emerging medical problem before it becomes epidemic in the general population. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v2i3.5485 Asian Journal of Medical Sciences 2 (2011) 202-206

Objective: Several studies indicate that serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity could be a potential marker for the diagnosis of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, there has been no such study that could independently verify this finding in Nepali population. The present study therefore aims to measure the total ADA activity in the sera of Nepalese RA patients and verify its diagnostic potential. Materials and Methods: A total of 69 RA patients who visited Universal College of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UCMSTH), Bhairahawa, Nepal for their medical treatment were enrolled for this study. An equal number of age and sex-matched healthy controls were also included in the study. Blood samples were collected from each study subjects and analyzed for serum total ADA, Creactive protein (CRP) and rheumatoid factor (RF). Results: Serum total ADA activity was found to be significantly (p<0.0001) higher (30.0 }10.1 U/L) in all RA patients compared to healthy controls (13.5 } 3.6 U/L). However, no significant difference (p>0.05) in the ADA activity was found between the smokers and non-smoker RA patients. Out of total 69 RA patients, only 16 (23.1%) were positive for CRP and 11 (15.9%) were positive for RF. Conclusion: Measurement of serum total ADA activity could be a reliable marker for the diagnosis of RA in Nepali population with relevant clinical scenarios when there is absence of CRP and RF in the serum.  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v4i2.6208 Asian Journal of Medical Sciences 4(2013) 30-35