scholarly journals Chronic Schistosomiasis, a Clinical and Laboratory Diagnostic Challenge in Malawi

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pocha Samuel Kamudumuli ◽  
Frank Watson Sinyiza ◽  
Master R.O. Chisale ◽  
Alfred Kaira ◽  
Paul Kaseka ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: Schistosomiasis cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. This is a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted at Mzuzu Central Hospital (MCH) from northern Malawi aiming at determining prevalence of schistosomiasis infection in cancer suspected patients. The data was collected from hospital files and the duration under review was from July 2013 to June 2018. A total of 790 Histopathological samples were analysed at University of North Carolina (UNC) Histopathology lab. Results were made available to the facility – Mzuzu Central Hospital.Results: The overall prevalence of schistosoma (S. mansoni & haematobium) infection was 1.7% (14/790). About 93% (13/14) of schistosomiasis cases were observed in female patients while 7% (1/14) from male patients. Of the 14 cases from different histopathological pattern (Cervix, Ureter, Liver, Ovary, GIT and Urinary bladder), 43% (6/14) of cases were diagnosed from cervical tissues. Correlation between HIV infection and schistosomiasis infection was not reached as Serostatus for reasonable number of patients was unknown. Schistosomiasis chronic infection is highly prevalent in Malawi. This disease is neglected and underestimated due to lack of clinical skills and capacity in most of the public laboratories to accurately diagnose it as such, most cases are misdiagnosed as cancer.

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 921.2-922
Author(s):  
M. Yasmine ◽  
K. Maatallah ◽  
H. Ferjani ◽  
W. Triki ◽  
D. Ben Nsib ◽  
...  

Background:The treatment of patients presenting with cervicogenic dizziness (CGD) may be challenging. Indeed, there is no consensual treatment approach for CGD, nor is there no gold-standard assessment for diagnosis.Objectives:Our study aimed to assess the management of CGD by rheumatologists versus otorhinolaryngologists.Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional study including Tunisian doctors dealing with CGD. Rheumatologists (RTO) and otorhinolaryngologists (ORL) were invited to answer a questionnaire via google form about CGD daily management. Outcomes of interest were treatment modalities.Results:The study included 30 RTO and 32 ORL. Most of the doctors (RTO, vs ORL) were females (88.3%, vs 56.3%), aged between 35 and 45 (43.3%, vs 62.5%), and worked at a private practice (33.3%, vs 59.4%). The number of patients diagnosed with CGD by RTO was as follows: 1-2 per year (33.3%), 1-2 per month (18.8%), 1-2 per week (20%), less than one patient a year (10%) and none in 3.3% of cases. The number of patients diagnosed with CGD by ORL was as follows: 1-2 per year (50%), 1-2 per month (33.3%), 1-2 per week (6.2%), less than one patient a year (15.7%) and none (9.4%). Most patients presenting with CGD were females in both groups (93.1%, vs 82.8% respectively) with a mean age between 36 and 65 (79.3%, vs 82.1%). Most of the respondents declared treating patients with CGD (93.1%, vs 79.1%). Regarding treatment modalities, physical therapy was the most prescribed in both specialties (81.5% and 48.3%, respectively). Only RTO (18.5%) prescribed manual therapy. Concerning medical treatment, anti-inflammatory were the most prescribed drugs in both groups (92.6, and 34.5%, respectively). Sixty-seven percent of RTO prescribed anti-vertigo medication. Interestingly, it was the least prescribed drug by ORL (6.9%). Only RTO (59.3%) prescribed Muscle relaxants.Conclusion:Despite the disparities in the management of CGD, physical therapy remains the first prescribed treatment by Tunisian doctors. Further studies are needed to establish a consensus to treat CGD.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Moreira de Sousa ◽  
L Lopes ◽  
P Costa ◽  
G Martins-Coelho ◽  
R Capucho

Abstract Background In 2017, the risk-weighted prevalence of alcohol consumption was the health indicator with a more negative impact on the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation Sustainable Development Goals Health Index Value in Portugal. According to data from 2012-14, the Alto Tâmega and Barroso (ATB) had the highest value of Years of potential life lost (YPLL) in North Portugal - 4570,1/10.000 people. Liver chronic disease was the specific cause of death that contributed to the value of YPLL - 465,4/10.000 people. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with data from the Northern Health Administration and the General Directorate for Intervention on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies. We compared the number of patients with chronic alcohol consumption (CAC) in 2018, the leading causes of death between 2012-14, the main morbidity causes according to data from primary healthcare (PHC) physicians in 2018 and the number of patients in specialized treatment team (STT) for alcohol abuse treatment in 2018 in ATB. Results In 2018, 2643 patients of ATB had a diagnosis of CAC; only 178 were followed by an STT. Although CAC had a massive influence on YPLL, this was only the 11º cause of morbidity in ATB according to the data from PHC. The number of women with CAC was stable between 2012 (n = 284) and 2018 (n = 291). In the same period, there was an increase of 52,86% of CAC on men (n = 1523 to n = 2348). Even though 18,4% of YPLL due to chronic liver disease happen in women, only 11,2%of the patients with CAC in the PHC are women. Conclusions There is a need for the improvement of CAC diagnosis in PHC, and the improvement of referral of patients to STT and hospital care. Besides, to reach the SDG3, there is the need to work intensely on SDG 17 (partnership for the goals). The Public Health Unit of ATB is organizing Operation PROMETEU to improve communication, institutional collaboration, and monitoring of the existing health activities that are tackling CAC. Key messages The need to integrate data from different healthcare sources for a better analysis on health problems. The urgent need to tackle the alcohol abuse problem in ATB.


2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renato Mitsunori Nisihara ◽  
Ana Carolina Possebom ◽  
Luiza de Martino Cruvinel Borges ◽  
Ana Claudia Athanasio Shwetz ◽  
Fernanda Francis Benevides Bettes

ABSTRACT Objective To describe the profile of lawsuits related to drug requests filled at the Federal Justice of the State of Paraná. Methods A cross-sectional study, and the data were obtained through consulting the lawsuits at the online system of the Federal Justice of Paraná. Results Out of 347 lawsuits included in the study, 55% of plaintiffs were women, with a median age of 56 years. Oncology was the field with more requests (23.6%), and the highest mean costs. A wide variety of diseases and broad variety of requested drugs were found in the lawsuits. Approximately two-thirds of them were requested by the brand name, and the most often requested drugs were palivizumab and tiotropium bromide. Only 14.5% of the requested medicines were registered in the National Medication Register. The Public Defender’s Office filled actions in 89.6% of cases and all lawsuits had an interim relief. The mean time for approval was 35 days and 70% of requests were granted. Conclusion Oncology was the field with the highest demand for medicines at the Federal Justice of Paraná in 2014. A great variety of medications was requested. The Public Defender´s Office represented most lawsuits. All demands had an interim relief, and the majority of requests were granted, within an average of 35 days.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e2015038 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincenzo De Sanctis

Objective: This cross-sectional study was designed to give insights into relationship between Insulin-Growth-Factor 1 (IGF-1) levels and diabetic retinopathy (DR) in a sample of  thalassaemia major(TM) patients with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Τhis relation was not previously evaluated, despite the fact that both diseases co-exist  in the same patient. The  study   also  describes the clinical and biochemical profile of the associated complications in TM patients with and without IDDM.   Design: A population-based cross-sectional study.  Participants:The study  includes 19 consecutive TM patients with IDDM and 31 age- and sex-matched TM patients without  IDDM who visited our out-patient clinics for an endocrine assessment Methods: An extensive medical history, with data on associated complications and current medications, was obtained. Blood samples were drawn in the morning after an overnight fast to measure the serum concentrations of IGF-1, glucose, fructosamine , free thyroxine (FT4), thyrotropin (TSH) and biochemical analysis . Serologic screening assays for hepatitis C virus seropositivity (HCVab and HCV-RNA) were also evaluated,  applying routine laboratory methods.Plasma total IGF-1 was measured by a chemiluminescent immunometric assay (CLIA) method. Ophthalmology evaluation was done by the same researcher using stereoscopic fundus biomicroscopy through dilated pupils. DR was graded using the scale developed by the Global Diabetic Retinopathy Group. Iron stores were assessed by direct and indirect methods. Results:Eighteen TM patients with IDDM (94.7 %) and 10 non-diabetic patients (32.2 %) had IGF-1 levels below the 2.5th percentile of the normal values for the Italian population. The mean serum IGF-1 concentrations were significantly lower in the diabetic versus the non-diabetic TM groups (p < 0.001). DR was present in in 4 (21 %) of 19 TM patients with IDDM and was associated with the main classical risk factors, namely inefficient glycemic control  and duration of disease but not  hypertension. Using the scale developed by the Global Diabetic Retinopathy Group, the DR in our patients was classified as non proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). Only few numbers of microaneurysms [1-3] were detected. Our data also confirm the strong association of IDDM in TM patients with other endocrine and non-endocrine complications.Conclusions: These results , although on a small number of patients, suggest a possible ‘protective’ role of low IGF-1 in the development of DR in TM patients 


Author(s):  
Clea Adas Saliba Garbin ◽  
Bruno Wakayama ◽  
Tânia Adas Saliba ◽  
Orlando Adas Saliba Junior ◽  
Artênio José Ísper Garbin

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-9
Author(s):  
Soheila Sayad ◽  
Seyyed Ahmadi ◽  
Reza Nekouian ◽  
Mahshid Panahi ◽  
Khatereh Anbari

Background: Present study aimed to investigate immunohistochemical parameters in post-surgical cases of invasive breast cancer. Methods: In this single center cross-sectional study we investigated ethnicity, familial history, type of cancer, stage of cancer, lymph node positivity, bilateral involvement, metastasis and immunohistochemical parameters (estrogen and progesterone receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, as well as frequency of triple positive and triple negative patients merely based on immunohistochemical parameters). Results: Frequency of positive familial history was 27.42% (16.31-38.52%). Lymph node involvement was detected in 55.93% (43.26-68.60%) of the cases. Frequency of positive HER2 was 38.60% (25.96-51.23%). There were 17.54% (7.67-27.42%) of triple positive and 7.02% (0.39-13.65%) of triple negative cases. The most common stage at the time of diagnosis was stage 3 with 43.33% (30.79-55.87%) frequency. In Lur/Lak population higher frequency of positive HER2 cases was detected whereas in Mazani population frequency of positive HER2 cases was low (p=0.0291). Conclusions: These results could contribute to understanding of breast cancer patterns among different ethnicities. In order to draw clear conclusion future investigations have to be done in several health centers, for longer time periods and with larger number of patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-182
Author(s):  
Moh. Djemdjem Djamaludin ◽  
Dewi Mutia Silmie

Coffee consumption is increasing because many types of coffee are circulating, such as instant coffee among the public. The instant coffee studied in this study is the Iwan Fals edition of instant coffee. This study aimed to analyse the lifestyle and effectiveness of instant coffee advertising on instant coffee consumption among peri-urban farmers in Bogor Regency. This study used a cross-sectional study design located in Cibungbulang District, Bogor Regency. The location was chosen purposive because it is a peri-urban area that has more than 20% of agricultural land. A total of 100 respondents in this study were selected using a purposive sampling method with the criteria of a farmer and in the last 12 months consuming and viewing Iwan Fals edition coffee advertisements. The results of this study found that the maker's lifestyle is the most (32%) owned by the respondents. The effectiveness of instant coffee advertising in this study is included in the effective category (3.54). The results showed a relationship between gender, believing lifestyle, trying hard lifestyle with instant coffee consumption. The influence test results found an influence of male gender and lifestyle beliefs on instant coffee consumption. In general, respondents are classified as effective in consuming coffee because of their lifestyle and increase energy.


Author(s):  
Vijay Kumar Manwani

Background: India being a country of agriculture, very little attention has been given to the occupational health problems of the agricultural workers; though the need of investigation and intervention towards their problems has repeatedly been mentioned. The objectives of the study were to find out the socio-demographic distribution of agricultural health hazards, to find out the personal protective measures being used by the agricultural workers and to give the necessary recommendations for the prevention of health hazards.Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted from September 2009 to December 2011. A pilot study was conducted on 50 patients. Data collection was done through asking questionnaire from the patients/relatives. Data was analyzed in the form of percentage (%) and presented in the tabular form. Chi- square (χ2) test was applied as a test of significance.Results: Out of total 926 cases maximum number of patients were males (549, 59.29%), followed by females (377, 40.71%). Majority of the respondents were primary educated (31.87%) followed by illiterate (29.48%). majority (44.60%) of the respondents belong to Class-IV (lower) socioeconomic status. Males (53.35%) were more addicted than females (10.26%). It was revealed that maximum number of the cases was not using (85.53%) PPE and only 14.47% were using any kind of PPE.Conclusions: Out of the total 926 cases, 549 (59.29%) were males, followed by females (377, 40.71%). Majority (63.61%) of the respondents have some kind of addiction. It was revealed that maximum number of the cases were not using (83.02%) any kind of PPE.


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