scholarly journals Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Epilepsy in Childhood: A Prospective Cross Sectional Study from Sudan

Author(s):  

Background: Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder affecting around 1% of children. The incidence in Sudan is likely to be higher given the high rate of genetic disorders related to consanguity and acquired disorders caused by CNS infection and birth injury. Epilepsy can be idiopathic or non-idiopathic, symptomatic epilepsy indicates a known cause while cryptogenic epilepsy implies a presumed unknown cause. Objective: To understand the demographic and clinical characteristics of epilepsy in children in the setting of a tertiary epilepsy clinic in Khartoum, Sudan. Methods: This is a hospital-based cross sectional study recruiting patients with epilepsy attending a tertiary pediatric neurology clinic. All patients attending the clinic in the 6 month period were included. Data was collected by medical students and was analyzed on IBM SPSS Version 20.0 in a descriptive fashion. Results: 284 Children were recruited. The mean age for children with epilepsy was 5.74 (range 0-12 Years). Females constituted 59.9%; while 94.7% of patients were of low socioeconomic status. The most common type of seizures found were generalized tonic clinic at 51.8% (147/284), followed by focal seizures at 21.1% (60/284). 71% of our patients (201/284) had no identifiable cause (idiopathic), while 29% were non-idiopathic. Of the non-idiopathic group; 41% were due to congenital anomalies, followed by HIE at 24.1%, infections at 16.9% trauma at 10.8% and tumors at 7.2%. Only 18.3% (52/284) had a positive family history of epilepsy. Conclusions: There appears to be a higher incidence of epilepsy in Children with low socio – economic status with a slight female predominance. The incidence of idiopathic epilepsy appears to be similar to inter-national figures. We recommend broader community based and long-term studies for better understanding of epilepsy in Sudan.

Author(s):  
Vijay Pratap Singh Tomar ◽  
Sandeep Sharma ◽  
Rahul Bhardwaj ◽  
Sindhuja Singh ◽  
Virendra Kumar Pal ◽  
...  

Introduction: Pigmentary Glaucoma (PG) and Pigment Dispersion Syndrome (PDS) are two different spectrums of a single disease. Since the disease is seen in younger population and is rapidly progressive blinding disease, therefore early diagnosis and treatment will reduce the burden of the disease and improve the quality of life. Aim: To evaluate clinical characteristics of PDS and PG patients in eastern part of Uttar Pradesh. Materials and Methods: This was a two years (1st January 2018 to 31st December 2019) hospital‑based retrospective cross‑sectional study of patients who attended the glaucoma clinic. Diagnosis of PDS was made when they had normal optic disc, normal visual field {with or without increased Intra Ocular Pressure (IOP)} and at least two of the following three signs were found clinically: Krukenberg spindle, homogenous moderate‑to‑heavy (≥Spaeth 2+) Trabecular Meshwork (TM) pigmentation, and any degree of zonular and/or lenticular pigment granule dusting. Patients with PDS were diagnosed with PG, if they had two or more of the following findings: initial IOP >21 mmHg, glaucomatous optic nerve damage or glaucomatous visual field loss. Various parameters such as influence of demographics, IOP, Best‑Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA), Central Corneal Thickness (CCT), Mean Deviation (MD), Visual Field Index (VFI %), spherical equivalent and clinical finding of anterior segment of study patients were analysed. Mean, standard deviation and percentage were calculated using GraphPad Instat version 3.0. Results: Among 40 patients, nine eyes of the six patients had myopia of ‑0.5D or greater, with mean refractive error of ‑3.55±4.72 spherical equivalent. The average baseline IOP in study patients (PDS+PG), was 30.21±11.42 mmHg. Twenty four (60%) patients, either in one or both eyes had glaucoma, secondary to PDS at the initial diagnosis. Thirty three (82.5%) patients had Krukenberg spindles. Homogeneous TM pigmentation was seen in all patients. Typical spoke‑like radial Iris Transillumination Defects (ITDs) were not observed in any of the patients except in one patient, who had isolated short slit‑like trans‑illumination defects in iris crypts. Conclusion: PDS patients with normal optic disc and visual field and raised IOP, should be started prophylactic treatment and needs to be monitored more closely. Thus, the finding of PDS in Indians should alert the ophthalmologist to look for glaucoma during the initial examination.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-52
Author(s):  
Priyanka Kumari ◽  
Nisha Kumari Ojha

Globally anemia accounts for a majority of the nutritional problem and it is principally engendered by deficiency of iron. Its prevalence is inordinately higher among developing nations, because of low socioeconomic status and poor access to healthcare services. In developing countries, the adolescent group is more exposed to nutritional challenges and adolescent girls are more vulnerable to the disease. This survey is intended to evaluate the prevalence of anemia and its associated factors among adolescent girls in age group of 12-15 year in Jaipur district, this survey also generated the anemic cases in the adolescent girls of age 12-15 year. A cross sectional study was conducted from August 2019 to January 2020 by attending health check-up camps at various areas situated within 20 kilometers in Jaipur district. Hemoglobin estimation was done by using three-part auto analyzer method. Statistical analysis was done using Percentages and Chi-square Test. 75.39% girls were found anemic. Statistically significant association (p < 0.05) was found in anemia in adolescent girls with the history of receiving iron folic acid (IFA) supplementation, deworming, age, habitat, family type and status of menarche. Present study reveals that 75.39% girls were found anemic and the problem is significantly associated with status of IFA supplementation, deworming and family type.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Elio Jabra ◽  
Amal Al-Omari ◽  
Fadi Haddadin ◽  
Walid Alam ◽  
Khawlah Ammar ◽  
...  

Background. Bladder cancer (BC) is the second most reported cancer in Lebanon and the fifth in Jordan. Its risk factors are mainly smoking and occupational exposure to aromatic amines. In these countries where smoking and bladder cancer are highly prevalent, the role of waterpipe smoking (WPS) in bladder cancer is less investigated. We aim to compare two sets of patients between Lebanon and Jordan, focusing on their smoking habits, WP use, occupational exposure, and the grade/invasiveness of their bladder cancer. Methods. This is a cross-sectional study that compares the smoking culture between two sets of populations with bladder cancer, from two different countries. We recruited 274 bladder cancer patients over the 18 years of age at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC), and 158 bladder cancer patients over the age of 18 years at the King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC). Results. 7.7% of Lebanese patients had significantly more positive family history of bladder cancer compared to 13.9% of Jordanian patients ( p = 0.045 ). Another significant finding is that the majority of Lebanese patients 70.7% reported being frequently exposed to secondhand smoking, mainly cigarettes, versus only 48.6% of Jordanian patients ( p < 0.001 ). The increasing smoking trend among Lebanese females is remarkably the highest in the region, which contributed to the overall increase in smoking rates in the country. 17.1% of the Lebanese smoking patients are mainly but not exclusively WP smokers of which 6.3% are daily WP smokers, similarly 17.1% of the Jordanian patients of which 3.2% are daily WP smokers. There were 71.5% of Lebanese patients who had a noninvasive BC versus 40% of Jordanian patients ( p < 0.001 ), and more than one-third reported an occupational exposure to one of the risk factors of BC in both groups. Conclusions. Bladder cancer incidence is on the rise in both Jordan and Lebanon along with different smoking types. It is necessary to impose prevention policies to prevent and control the high smoking prevalence. Bladder cancer invasiveness is higher in Jordan compared to universal data.


PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e10691
Author(s):  
Yimeng Hu ◽  
Qinge Li ◽  
Rui Min ◽  
Yingfeng Deng ◽  
Yancheng Xu ◽  
...  

Background The relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) and several diabetic complications or co-morbidities remains a matter of debate. The study aims to explore the association between SUA levels and the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), diabetic nephropathy (DN) and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods A total of 2,809 participants (1,784 males and 1,025 females) were included in this cross-sectional study. Clinical characteristics and the prevalence of each of the four diseases were analyzed based on gender-specific quartiles of SUA levels. The Pearson correlation analysis and linear-regression analysis were used to access the correlation between SUA levels and clinical characteristics. Furthermore, a binary logistic regression analysis was carried out to determine whether SUA was an independent risk factor for each of the four complications. Results SUA levels were positively correlated to BMI, BUN, Scr and TG, but negatively associated with eGFR, HDL, FBG, 2h-PG and HbA1c% for the patients with T2DM. The prevalence of NAFLD and DN, but not DR or DPN, were increased with SUA levels from the first to the fourth quartile. Binary logistic regression further disclosed that SUA was an independent risk factor for NAFLD (ORs Male = 1.002, ∗P = 0.0013; ORs Female = 1.002, ∗P = 0.015) and DN (ORs Male = 1.006, ∗P < 0.001; ORs Female = 1.005, ∗P < 0.001), but not for DR and DPN. After adjustment for the confounders, SUA levels were significantly associated with NAFLD within the 3rd (ORs = 1.829, P = 0.004) and 4th quartile (ORs = 2.064, P = 0.001) for women, but not independently associated with SUA for man. On the other hand, our results revealed increased prevalence of DN for SUA quartile 2 (ORs = 3.643, P = 0.039), quartile 3 (ORs = 3.967, P = 0.024) and quartile 4 (ORs = 9.133, P < 0.001) in men; however, SUA quartiles were significantly associated with DN only for quartile 4 (ORs = 4.083, P = 0.042) in women Conclusion For patients with T2DM, elevated SUA concentration is an independent risk factor for the prevalence of NAFLD and DN after adjustment for other indicators, but not DR or DPN.


F1000Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 1831
Author(s):  
Hyder M. Mahgoub ◽  
Omar E. Fadlelseed ◽  
Ammar H. Khamis ◽  
Jalal A. Bilal ◽  
Ishag Adam

Background: Adolescents, especially girls, are susceptible to malnutrition and their diet must be adequate to support their very rapid growth and development. Currently, there is little published data on the nutritional state amongst adolescent girls in Sudan. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted to assess the nutritional and micronutrient status of adolescent schoolgirls in eastern Sudan during the period of January-February 2015. Weight and height were measured using standard methods. Haemoglobin and ferritin levels were measured using blood samples, and blood films for malaria and stool samples for Schistosoma mansoni were investigated. Nutritional status was assessed according to the WHO 2006 reference values. Copper and zinc concentrations were measured by atomic absorption. Results: Twenty-five (13.7%) out of 183 girls were stunted. Seventy (38.3%) were thin; 17.5, 9.3 and 11.5% had mild, moderate and severe thinness, respectively. Only 10 (5.5%) and six (3.3%) girls were overweight and obese, respectively. The prevalence of anaemia was 77.0%. While there was no significant difference in the haemoglobin, ferritin, copper levels and thinness; thin children had significantly lower zinc (P=0.007). Conclusions: There is a high rate of stunting, thinness and anaemia among adolescent schoolgirls in eastern Sudan. More care has to be taken in order to provide a better nutrition status in the area.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rumpa Sarker ◽  
Md. Saiful Islam ◽  
Mst. Sabrina Moonajilin ◽  
Mahmudur Rahman ◽  
Hailay Abrha Gesesew ◽  
...  

Early diagnosis of breast cancer is the best approach towards its control that may result in alleviating related mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to evaluate knowledge about breast cancer and both practices and perceived barriers to breast self-examination among female university students in Bangladesh. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 400 female students of Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh. Participants were sampled from female dormitories at the university from January to April 2020. Proportionate stratified random sampling was conducted to calculate the study sample from each dormitory. A pre-tested, semi-structured self-reported questionnaire was employed to collect data from participants during the survey periods. The questionnaire consists of demographic variables, items about knowledge about breast cancer, breast self-examination practices and its barriers. We applied descriptive and inferential statistics, and data were analyzed using SPSS. Participants aged between 18-26 years and comprised university students of 1st year (20%), 2nd year (24%), 3rd year (22%), 4th year (21%) and Masters (14.%). 18% of them had reported positive family history (mother, aunt, sister/cousin, grandmother) of breast cancer. The overall mean score of total knowledge items was 15 (SD = 3) out of 43, with an overall correct rate of 34%. The mean score of total knowledge items was significantly higher (p<0.001) among Masters students and students with family members who have breast cancer. Only one in five students (21%) ever practiced breast self-examination. The mean score of practice towards breast self-examination was significantly higher (p<0.001) among participants who reported having family member of breast cancer. It is noted that the total knowledge score about breast cancer and practice towards breast self-examination are significantly correlated with each other (r = 0.54; p<0.001). About 33% participants had reported that lack of knowledge as the main barrier to practicing breast self-examination followed by I do not have the symptoms (22%), and shyness/ uncomfortable feelings (17%). The study revealed low levels of knowledge about breast cancer and low breast self-examination practices. This implies the need of promotion and implementation of educational interventions programs that are social and culturally appropriate and suitable for specific age groups.


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