Analysis of the epidemiological characteristics and risk factors for epilepsy in the countries of the African continent

Relevance . Epilepsy is a common neurological disease in tropical countries, especially in Africa. Its prevalence in African countries is almost twice as high as in Asia, Europe and North America. Objective: to investigate the characteristics of the spread and risk factors of epilepsy in the countries of the African continent. Materials and Methods : Based on WHO data, an epidemiological analysis of the prevalence and structure of mortality from epilepsy among the inhabitants of continental Africa was carried out. The African continent was clustered into five different regions with conventionally homogeneous sociocultural, climatic and geographic and environmental conditions and, as a consequence, similar dynamics of endemic diseases and infections. Demographic data, etiological factors, risk factors such as infectious diseases (including neglected diseases) with neurological consequences in the form of deaths from epilepsy were compared in five centers in the region. Mathematical and statistical processing of the results was carried out using the SPSS-19 statistical package (SPSS Inc., USA). Results and Discussion . Analysis of socio-demographic characteristics made it possible to establish that mortality from epilepsy is higher: in the countries of the African continent south of the Sahara in comparison with northern Africa; in women compared to men; in the age group younger than 14 compared to older groups and also in countries of subregions with an unsatisfactory state of national health systems and a low level of socio-economic situation in general. Conclusion . State programs aimed at reducing various factors of injury, violence, the prevalence of maternal mortality and hunger, the frequency of suicide among the population can help reduce the prevalence and mortality from epilepsy. In addition, a significant number of risk factors for epilepsy in African countries are virulent and potentially preventable. First of all, these include: neurocysticercosis, schistosomiasis, HIV infection and various forms of meningitis. Health care interventions to prevent these diseases can also significantly reduce the prevalence of epilepsy.

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PERFIL EPIDEMIOLÓGICO Y FACTORES DE RIESGO DE MORTALIDAD EN ADULTOS CON COVID-19: ESTUDIO RETROSPECTIVO.

Revista Medica Vozandes ◽

10.48018/rmv311.2 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Dayami Martínez Sosa ◽

Oswaldo Vásconez Hatt ◽

Katherine Rosero Arboleda ◽

Fabian Zurita Alvarado ◽

Mónica Hernández Lojano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Clinical Course ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Severity Of Illness ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Related Risk ◽

Factores De Riesgo ◽

New Type ◽

Epidemiological Characteristics

By the ending of 2019 a new type of coronavirus was identified named SARS-CoV 2, and now known to be the etiological agent of the acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Known as coronavirus 2019 disease or (COVID-19) constitutes a challenge for the world in many unknown aspects and problems in public health. In Ecuador the first reported of a confirmed appeared on February 29 2020, and in March 12 an emergency health status is declared. Objective: To determine the epidemiological characteristics and factors related to death and survival in patients with COVID-19. Design: The study is of transversal retrospective design, the patients chosen were those seen in the respiratory or suspicious of COVID-19 area of Hospital Vozandes Quito between March 2 and April 30. Demographic data and related risk factors for mortality were obtained using the EPI-1 individual form, epidemiological research files, the VI Epi system and electronic promptuary of patients. Results: 250 patients were obtained for this study, 87 of those were confirmed COVID-19, out those eight died and 79 were alive at the ending of the follow up. Regarding the severity of illness, 61% of the patients were classified as mild and 6 % critical (p =<0.001). Elevated values of CRP (OR 1 IC 95% 1.000 – 1.024), age about 55 years old to diagnosis (OR 42,040 IC 95% 36,320 – 47,760) and the presence of hiporexia (OR 24 IC 95% 1.183 – 504.413) were associated with higher mortality levels amongst COVID-19 positive patients. Conclusions The majority of COVID-19 cases showed no serious manifestations, were treated symptomatically and home isolation. Elevated values of CRP and the presence of hiporexia at the diagnosis are factors consistently with death. Future investigations are required to determine the risk factors associated with worst clinical course and prognosis.

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Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) the African Story: A Review

Journal of Medical - Clinical Research & Reviews ◽

10.33425/2639-944x.1191 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sule H ◽

Kumurya AS ◽

Gwarzo MY ◽

Yahaya H ◽

Rogo LD

Keyword(s):

Index Case ◽

Virus Disease ◽

World Health ◽

African Continent ◽

Sample Collection ◽

African Countries ◽

Endemic Diseases ◽

Laboratory Capacity ◽

Corona Virus ◽

Health Organization

Corona virus disease (COVID-19) is a global health threat that put panic in the minds of people worldwide. Although, the disease originate from China, but its effect covers the whole world. This review is to assess the effect of COVID-19 in the African continent. Data from already published researches were obtained, through which it was found that, Africa had its first confirmed index case of COVID-19 on the 14th of February, 2020, from Egypt, second case on 25th February, 2020, from Algeria while the 3rd was in Nigeria on the 27th of the same month. From there, the cases continue to spread throughout the continent. The review also highlighted on some factors that were thought can put Africa at higher risk of COVID-19; these include Africa China relation, which accounts for an average of 8 flights per day between the two regions, according to an investigation in 2018; endemic diseases that are common in the region and inefficient health system, among others. It was also observed according to the review that, world health organization (WHO) tried to upgrade the laboratory capacity for COVID-19 test in the continent at the time the disease hit the region. For that reason, between February 2nd and 10th March 2020, the laboratory capacity for COVID-19 test were raised, from 2 to 40 across the continent, WHO also provided 42,000 PCR test kits and 195,000 sample collection kits at around the same time. According to the review, as reported in WHO corona virus disease situation report of 9th July, 2020, at a point, in the progress of the disease in Africa, there were 493,131 cases with 11,643 deaths, indicating 25% cases increase and 18% deaths increase over a week. Based on the review, it can be concluded that, African countries are also victims of COVID-19, as a lot of them are still battling with the disease to date.

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An Analysis of Dental Implants Survival and Success

Revista de Chimie ◽

10.37358/rc.18.9.6554 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 69 (9) ◽

pp. 2465-2466

Author(s):

Iustin Olariu ◽

Roxana Radu ◽

Teodora Olariu ◽

Andrada Christine Serafim ◽

Ramona Amina Popovici ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Medical History ◽

Retrospective Cohort Study ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Retrospective Cohort ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Kaplan Meier ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Health Related

Osseointegration of a dental implant may encounter a variety of problems caused by various factors, as prior health-related problems, patients� habits and the technique of the implant inserting. Retrospective cohort study of 70 patients who received implants between January 2011- April 2016 in one dental unit, with Kaplan-Meier method to calculate the probability of implants�s survival at 60 months. The analysis included demographic data, age, gender, medical history, behavior risk factors, type and location of the implant. For this cohort the implants�survival for the first 6 months was 92.86% compared to the number of patients and 97.56% compared to the number of total implants performed, with a cumulative failure rate of 2.43% after 60 months. Failures were focused exclusively on posterior mandible implants, on the percentage of 6.17%, odds ratio (OR) for these failures being 16.76 (P = 0.05) compared with other localisations of implants, exclusively in men with median age of 42 years.

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Modelling COVID-19 transmission in Africa: countrywise projections of total and severe infections under different lockdown scenarios

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044149 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. e044149

Author(s):

Isabel Frost ◽

Jessica Craig ◽

Gilbert Osena ◽

Stephanie Hauck ◽

Erta Kalanxhi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vulnerable Populations ◽

Compartmental Model ◽

African Continent ◽

Economic Costs ◽

African Countries ◽

Exponential Increase ◽

Progression Of Disease ◽

Severe Infections ◽

Potential Impact ◽

Hiv Aids

ObjectivesAs of 13 January 2021, there have been 3 113 963 confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 and 74 619 deaths across the African continent. Despite relatively lower numbers of cases initially, many African countries are now experiencing an exponential increase in case numbers. Estimates of the progression of disease and potential impact of different interventions are needed to inform policymaking decisions. Herein, we model the possible trajectory of SARS-CoV-2 in 52 African countries under different intervention scenarios.DesignWe developed a compartmental model of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to estimate the COVID-19 case burden for all African countries while considering four scenarios: no intervention, moderate lockdown, hard lockdown and hard lockdown with continued restrictions once lockdown is lifted. We further analysed the potential impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable populations affected by HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis (TB).ResultsIn the absence of an intervention, the most populous countries had the highest peaks in active projected number of infections with Nigeria having an estimated 645 081 severe infections. The scenario with a hard lockdown and continued post-lockdown interventions to reduce transmission was the most efficacious strategy for delaying the time to the peak and reducing the number of cases. In South Africa, projected peak severe infections increase from 162 977 to 2 03 261, when vulnerable populations with HIV/AIDS and TB are included in the analysis.ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly spreading across the African continent. Estimates of the potential impact of interventions and burden of disease are essential for policymakers to make evidence-based decisions on the distribution of limited resources and to balance the economic costs of interventions with the potential for saving lives.

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Post-Operative Dysphagia in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

Annals of Otology Rhinology & Laryngology ◽

10.1177/00034894211015582 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 000348942110155

Author(s):

Leonard Haller ◽

Khush Mehul Kharidia ◽

Caitlin Bertelsen ◽

Jeffrey Wang ◽

Karla O’Dell

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Medical Records ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Anterior Cervical Discectomy ◽

Cervical Discectomy ◽

Long Term Follow Up

Objective: We sought to identify risk factors associated with long-term dysphagia, characterize changes in dysphagia over time, and evaluate the incidence of otolaryngology referrals for patients with long-term dysphagia following anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (ACDF). Methods: About 56 patients who underwent ACDF between May 2017 to February 2019 were included in the study. All patients were assessed for dysphagia using the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) survey preoperatively and late postoperatively (≥1 year). Additionally, 28 patients were assessed for dysphagia early postoperatively (2 weeks—3 months). Demographic data, medical comorbidities, intraoperative details, and post-operative otolaryngology referral rates were collected from electronic medical records. Results: Of the 56 patients enrolled, 21 patients (38%) had EAT-10 scores of 3 or more at long-term follow-up. None of the demographics, comorbidities, or surgical factors assessed were associated with long-term dysphagia. Patients who reported no long-term dysphagia had a mean EAT-10 score of 6.9 early postoperatively, while patients with long-term symptoms had a mean score of 18.1 ( P = .006). Of the 21 patients who reported persistent dysphagia symptoms, 3 (14%) received dysphagia testing or otolaryngology referrals post-operatively. Conclusion: Dysphagia is a notable side effect of ACDF surgery, but there are no significant demographics, comorbidities, or surgical risk factors that predict long-term dysphagia. Early postoperative characterization of dysphagia using the EAT-10 questionnaire can help predict long-term symptoms. There is inadequate screening and otolaryngology follow-up for patients with post-ACDF dysphagia.

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Clinical and Demographic Risk Factors for COVID-19 during Delivery Hospitalizations in New York City

American Journal of Perinatology ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1727168 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Desmond Sutton ◽

Timothy Wen ◽

Anna P. Staniczenko ◽

Yongmei Huang ◽

Maria Andrikopoulou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

New York ◽

New York City ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

York City ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Outcome Data ◽

Demographic Risk ◽

Demographic Risk Factors ◽

Zip Code

Objective This study was aimed to review 4 weeks of universal novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) screening among delivery hospitalizations, at two hospitals in March and April 2020 in New York City, to compare outcomes between patients based on COVID-19 status and to determine whether demographic risk factors and symptoms predicted screening positive for COVID-19. Study Design This retrospective cohort study evaluated all patients admitted for delivery from March 22 to April 18, 2020, at two New York City hospitals. Obstetrical and neonatal outcomes were collected. The relationship between COVID-19 and demographic, clinical, and maternal and neonatal outcome data was evaluated. Demographic data included the number of COVID-19 cases ascertained by ZIP code of residence. Adjusted logistic regression models were performed to determine predictability of demographic risk factors for COVID-19. Results Of 454 women delivered, 79 (17%) had COVID-19. Of those, 27.9% (n = 22) had symptoms such as cough (13.9%), fever (10.1%), chest pain (5.1%), and myalgia (5.1%). While women with COVID-19 were more likely to live in the ZIP codes quartile with the most cases (47 vs. 41%) and less likely to live in the ZIP code quartile with the fewest cases (6 vs. 14%), these comparisons were not statistically significant (p = 0.18). Women with COVID-19 were less likely to have a vaginal delivery (55.2 vs. 51.9%, p = 0.04) and had a significantly longer postpartum length of stay with cesarean (2.00 vs. 2.67days, p < 0.01). COVID-19 was associated with higher risk for diagnoses of chorioamnionitis and pneumonia and fevers without a focal diagnosis. In adjusted analyses, including demographic factors, logistic regression demonstrated a c-statistic of 0.71 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.69, 0.80). Conclusion COVID-19 symptoms were present in a minority of COVID-19-positive women admitted for delivery. Significant differences in obstetrical outcomes were found. While demographic risk factors demonstrated acceptable discrimination, risk prediction does not capture a significant portion of COVID-19-positive patients. Key Points

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Clinical characteristics and risk factors for mortality in COVID-19 inpatients in Birjand, Iran: a single-center retrospective study

European Journal of Medical Research ◽

10.1186/s40001-021-00553-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ghodsiyeh Azarkar ◽

Freshteh Osmani

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Platelet Count ◽

Protein Level ◽

Clinical Characteristics ◽

Single Center ◽

C Reactive Protein ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

Survivor Group ◽

Epidemiological Characteristics

Abstract Background The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) has affected mortality worldwide. The Cox proportional hazard (CPH) model is becoming more popular in time-to-event data analysis. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics in COVID-19 inpatients including (survivor and non-survivor); thus helping clinicians give the right treatment and assess prognosis and guide the treatment. Methods This single-center study was conducted at Hospital for COVID-19 patients in Birjand. Inpatients with confirmed COVID-19 were included. Patients were classified as the discharged or survivor group and the death or non-survivor group based on their outcome (improvement or death). Clinical, epidemiological characteristics, as well as laboratory parameters, were extracted from electronic medical records. Independent sample T test and the Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test were used to evaluate the association of interested variables. The CPH model was used for survival analysis in the COVID-19 death patients. Significant level was set as 0.05 in all analyses. Results The results showed that the mortality rate was about (17.4%). So that, 62(17%) patients had died due to COVID-19, and 298 (83.6%) patients had recovered and discharged. Clinical parameters and comorbidities such as oxygen saturation, lymphocyte and platelet counts, hemoglobin levels, C-reactive protein, and liver and kidney function, were statistically significant between both studied groups. The results of the CPH model showed that comorbidities, hypertension, lymphocyte counts, platelet count, and C-reactive protein level, may increase the risk of death due to the COVID-19 as risk factors in inpatients cases. Conclusions Patients with, lower lymphocyte counts in hemogram, platelet count and serum albumin, and high C-reactive protein level, and also patients with comorbidities may have more risk for death. So, it should be given more attention to risk management in the progression of COVID-19 disease.

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Estimating the burden of cardiovascular risk in community dwellers over 40 years old in South Africa, Kenya, Burkina Faso and Ghana

BMJ Global Health ◽

10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003499 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. e003499

Author(s):

Ryan G Wagner ◽

Nigel J Crowther ◽

Lisa K Micklesfield ◽

Palwende Romauld Boua ◽

Engelbert A Nonterah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Risk Factor ◽

South African ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

African Countries ◽

Cvd Risk ◽

Genomic Studies ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Context Specific ◽

The Impact

IntroductionCardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors are increasing in sub-Saharan Africa. The impact of these risk factors on future CVD outcomes and burden is poorly understood. We examined the magnitude of modifiable risk factors, estimated future CVD risk and compared results between three commonly used 10-year CVD risk factor algorithms and their variants in four African countries.MethodsIn the Africa-Wits-INDEPTH partnership for Genomic studies (the AWI-Gen Study), 10 349 randomly sampled individuals aged 40–60 years from six sites participated in a survey, with blood pressure, blood glucose and lipid levels measured. Using these data, 10-year CVD risk estimates using Framingham, Globorisk and WHO-CVD and their office-based variants were generated. Differences in future CVD risk and results by algorithm are described using kappa and coefficients to examine agreement and correlations, respectively.ResultsThe 10-year CVD risk across all participants in all sites varied from 2.6% (95% CI: 1.6% to 4.1%) using the WHO-CVD lab algorithm to 6.5% (95% CI: 3.7% to 11.4%) using the Framingham office algorithm, with substantial differences in risk between sites. The highest risk was in South African settings (in urban Soweto: 8.9% (IQR: 5.3–15.3)). Agreement between algorithms was low to moderate (kappa from 0.03 to 0.55) and correlations ranged between 0.28 and 0.70. Depending on the algorithm used, those at high risk (defined as risk of 10-year CVD event >20%) who were under treatment for a modifiable risk factor ranged from 19.2% to 33.9%, with substantial variation by both sex and site.ConclusionThe African sites in this study are at different stages of an ongoing epidemiological transition as evidenced by both risk factor levels and estimated 10-year CVD risk. There is low correlation and disparate levels of population risk, predicted by different risk algorithms, within sites. Validating existing risk algorithms or designing context-specific 10-year CVD risk algorithms is essential for accurately defining population risk and targeting national policies and individual CVD treatment on the African continent.

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Prevalence, Epidemiological Characteristics, and Pharmacotherapy of Coronary Artery Disease among Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: Data from Jo-Fib Study

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina57060605 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 57 (6) ◽

pp. 605

Author(s):

Hanna K. Al-Makhamreh ◽

Mohammed Q. Al-Sabbagh ◽

Ala’ E. Shaban ◽

Abdelrahman F. Obiedat ◽

Ayman J. Hammoudeh

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Coronary Artery Disease ◽

Coronary Artery ◽

Antiplatelet Agents ◽

Retrospective Case ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Artery Disease ◽

Epidemiological Characteristics ◽

Cad Risk

Background and Objectives: Patients with AF are at increased risk for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) owing to their shared etiologies and risk factors. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, cardiovascular risk factors, and used medications of CAD in AF patients. Materials and Methods: This retrospective, case-control study utilized data from the Jordanian Atrial Fibrillation (Jo-Fib) registry. Investigators collected clinical features, history of co-existing comorbidities, CHA2DS2-VASc, and HAS BLED scores for all AF patients aged >18 visiting 19 hospitals and 30 outpatient cardiology clinics. A multivariable binary logistic regression was used to asses for factors associated with higher odds of having CAD. Results: Out of 2000 patients with AF, 227 (11.35%) had CAD. Compared to the rest of the sample, those with CAD had significantly higher prevalence of hypertension (82.38%; p < 0.01), hypercholesterolemia (66.52%, p < 0.01), diabetes (56.83%, p < 0.01), and smoking (18.06%, p = 0.04). Patients with AF and CAD had higher use of anticoagulants/antiplatelet agents combination (p < 0.01) compared to the rest of the sample. Females had lower CAD risk than males (OR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.24–0.50). AF Patients with dyslipidemia (OR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.8–3.4), smoking (OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1–2.6), higher CHA2DS2-VASc score (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.4–1.7), and asymptomatic AF (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.3–2.6) had higher risk for CAD. Conclusions: Owing to the increased prevalence of CAD in patients with AF, better control of cardiac risk factors is recommended for this special group. Future studies should investigate such interesting relationships to stratify CAD risk in AF patients. We believe that this study adds valuable information regarding the prevalence, epidemiological characteristics, and pharmacotherapy of CAD in patients with AF.

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Prevalence of Types, Frequency and Risk Factors for Complications after Exodontia

Pakistan Journal of Medicine and Dentistry ◽

10.36283/pjmd10-1/008 ◽

2021 ◽

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Oral Surgery ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Dental Trauma ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Outpatient Department ◽

Impacted Tooth ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Mandibular Third Molars

Background: Exodontia is one of the most frequently carried out procedures by a dental surgeon, mostly on an outpatient department basis. The reasons for performing exodontia include non-restorable teeth, periodontal disease, dental trauma, impacted tooth, orthodontic treatment and toothache. Complications in dental extraction are a commonly encountered problem in dental clinics. This knowledge can help dental surgeons make extractions less invasive, traumatic and complicated, enabling quicker recovery of the socket. The aim of this study was to recognize types, frequency and risk factors for complications after exodontia. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled patients who had exodontia done from July- September 2019, visiting OPD of the Oral surgery department of Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine, Karachi. Risk factors included demographic data, general health, past medical and dental history. Spearman’s correlation test was used to establish any relationship of variables with complications. Results: The study patients (126) included 72 females (mean age 39.1±13.39) and 54 males (mean age 41.1±14.93). The overall complications rate was found to be 7.1%, mainly arising from maxillary and mandibular third molars. The most common complications encountered were Hemorrhage, Pain, and Trismus. Increasing age and specific teeth extracted were associated with an increased risk for complications. However, post-operative complications which were encountered most of them were minor and handled on an outpatient department basis. Conclusion: Frequency and risk factors for complications after exodontia were found low3 (37.5%). While age and teeth extracted cannot be directly altered, these factors maybe indirectly modified, resulting in a potential decrease of postoperative complications.

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