scholarly journals The Impacts of Aspergillosis on Outcome, Burden and Risks for Mortality in Influenza Patients with Critical Illness

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 922
Author(s):  
Chien-Ming Chao ◽  
Chih-Cheng Lai ◽  
Hsuan-Fu Ou ◽  
Chung-Han Ho ◽  
Khee-Siang Chan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Economic Burden ◽  
Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis ◽  
Medical Expenditure ◽  
Apache Ii Score ◽  
Solid Cancer ◽  
Severe Influenza ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Previous studies have revealed higher mortality rates in patients with severe influenza who are coinfected with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) than in those without IPA coinfection; nonetheless, the clinical impact of IPA on economic burden and risk factors for mortality in critically ill influenza patients remains undefined. The study was retrospectively conducted in three institutes. From 2016 through 2018, all adult patients with severe influenza admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) were identified. All patients were classified as group 1, patients with concomitant severe influenza and IPA; group 2, severe influenza patients without IPA; and group 3, severe influenza patients without testing for IPA. Overall, there were 201 patients enrolled, including group 1 (n = 40), group 2 (n = 50), and group 3 (n = 111). Group 1 patients had a significantly higher mortality rate (20/40, 50%) than that of group 2 (6/50, 12%) and group 3 (18/11, 16.2%), p < 0.001. The risk factors for IPA occurrence were solid cancer and prolonged corticosteroid use in ICU of >5 days. Group 1 patients had significantly longer hospital stay and higher medical expenditure than the other two groups. The risk factors for mortality in group 1 patients included patients’ Charlson comorbidity index, presenting APACHE II score, and complication of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. Overall, IPA has a significant adverse impact on the outcome and economic burden of severe influenza patients, who should be promptly managed based on risk host factors for IPA occurrence and mortality risk factors for coinfection with both diseases.

VENTRICULOPERITONEAL SHUNTING AFTER ANEURYSMAL SUBARACHNOID HEMORRHAGE

Neurosurgery ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 618-627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew S. Little ◽  
Joseph M. Zabramski ◽  
Madelon Peterson ◽  
Pamela W. Goslar ◽  
Scott D. Wait ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Functional Status ◽  
Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus ◽  
Ventriculoperitoneal Shunting ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Ventricle Size ◽  
Group 1

Abstract OBJECTIVE The goals of this study were to investigate the risk factors, indications, complications, and outcome for patients with ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPSs) after subarachnoid hemorrhage and to define a subgroup eligible for future prospective studies designed to clarify indications for placement of a VPS. METHODS Clinical characteristics of 236 prospectively evaluated patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage and 6 months of follow-up were analyzed. Hydrocephalus was estimated by the relative bicaudate index (RBCI) measured on computed tomographic scans at the time of shunting. Patients were divided into three groups by ventricle size: Group 1 included 121 patients with small ventricles (RBCI &lt;1.0), Group 2 included 88 patients with borderline ventricle size (RBCI 1.0–1.4), and Group 3 included 27 patients with markedly enlarged ventricles (RBCI &gt;1.4). RESULTS Initially, 86 patients (36%) underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunting: 19 in Group 1 (16%), 43 in Group 2 (49%), and 24 in Group 3 (90%). Indications for placement of a VPS, risk factors, and outcome differed markedly by group. Four patients (3% of those not initially shunted) developed delayed hydrocephalus requiring a VPS, including one in Group 2 (2%). The 6-month shunt complication rate was 13%. Evaluation of patients in Group 2 indicated that functional status was an important factor in selecting candidates for shunting, and that patients receiving shunts and shunt-free patients demonstrated improvement in functional status during follow-up. CONCLUSION Although we currently use a proactive shunting paradigm for posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus, this report demonstrates that a conservative approach to patients with borderline ventricle size (i.e., RBCI of 1.0–1.4) and normal intracranial pressure should be evaluated in a prospective randomized trial.

Prophylactic Use of a Combination of an Anticoagulant and Ursodeoxycholic Acid for Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome after Allogeneic Myeloablative Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 5755-5755
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Okamura ◽  
Mitsutaka Nishimoto ◽  
Takahiko Nakane ◽  
Hideo Koh ◽  
Yasuhiro Nakashima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin ◽  
Adult Patients ◽  
Allogeneic Hsct ◽  
History Of ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Prophylactic Use ◽  
Group 1

Abstract Introduction: Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) is one of the potentially fatal complications of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In particular, severe SOS frequently leads to multiple organ failure, and a worse prognosis. Thus, prophylaxis against development of SOS could contribute improved survival after HSCT. Previous reports demonstrated the effectiveness of the prophylactic use of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) or certain anticoagulants, including unfractionated and low-molecular-weight heparin, for SOS. In two randomized controlled trials and two meta-analyses it was reported that UDCA, a hydrophilic bile acid, was an effective and safe drug for prophylaxis against SOS. The usefulness and feasibility of prophylactic use of anticoagulants after allogeneic HSCT are however still controversial. In addition, to our knowledge no study has evaluated the feasibility of usage of UDCA combined with an anticoagulant for SOS prevention after allogeneic HSCT in adult patients. To assess the efficacy and safety of use of UDCA combined with an anticoagulant as SOS prophylaxis, we performed a retrospective cohort study to examine the occurrences of SOS and hemorrhagic events in patients who underwent myeloablative allogeneic HSCT at our institution. We examined use of any anticoagulant together with simultaneous administration of UDCA, in comparison with UDCA alone for the prevention of SOS. Patients and methods: We reviewed the charts of consecutive adult patients in whom myeloablative allogeneic HSCT was performed at our hospital from November 1994 to May 2014, and who received either unfractionated heparin or dalteparin (low-molecular-weight heparin) with UDCA (group 1), danaparoid with UDCA (group 2), or UDCA only (group 3), used for prophylaxis against SOS. Results: A total of 280 patients (group 1: n=52; group 2: n=33; and group 3: n=195) were investigated. The proportions of patients with risk factors for SOS-including non-remission at the time of HSCT, a second or subsequent HSCT, high aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels before HSCT, high ferritin levels before HSCT, a history of receiving gemtuzumab ozogamicin, and HLA disparity-were similar across the three groups. In group 1, a conditioning regimen containing busulfan was used less frequently (P = 0.002). SOS occurred in seven patients (13.7%) in group 1, five patients (15.2%) in group 2, and 28 patients (14.4%) in group 3, all meeting the Seattle criteria. None of the patients in group 1, two (6.1%) in group 2, and nine (4.6%) in group 3 had SOS diagnosed according to the Baltimore criteria. There was no significant difference in the incidence of SOS among the three groups. In addition, with regard to the cumulative incidence of severe SOS, no statistically significant difference was present among the three groups. The incidence of hemorrhagic events within 30 and 100 days following allogeneic HSCT was not significantly different across the three groups (30 days; 5.8%, 3.0%, 5.1%, P = 0.843, 100 days; 17.6%, 15.2%, 14.4%, P=0.843, respectively). Furthermore, the probabilities of OS and NRM until day 100 after allogeneic HSCT were similar among the three groups (P = 0.733 and P = 0.637, respectively). In a univariate model, a history of gemtuzumab ozogamicin treatment, high serum ferritin levels before HSCT, an HLA mismatched donor, and non-complete remission of disease at the time of allogeneic HSCT were found to be significant risk factors for SOS. Multivariate analysis revealed that a history of gemtuzumab ozogamicin therapy, a mismatched HLA donor, and non-complete remission of disease at the time of allogeneic HSCT were significant and independent risk factors for SOS. In the multivariate as well as univariate analyses, combined administration of UDCA and any anticoagulant for SOS prophylaxis did not have a significant effect on the incidence SOS, when compared to prophylaxis with UDCA alone. Conclusion: Our study results suggest that the combined use of UDCA and an anticoagulant for SOS prophylaxis after myeloablative allogeneic HSCT in adult patients was not beneficial. Establishment of an optimal strategy for prophylaxis against SOS after HSCT is still needed. Disclosures Nakane: Mundipharma KK: Research Funding. Koh:Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria. Hino:Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Nippon Shinyaku: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Alexion: Honoraria, Research Funding. Nakamae:Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis Pharma KK: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: travel/accommodation/meeting expenses, Research Funding.

Chorangiosis of Chorionic Villi: What Does It Really Mean?

2016 ◽  
Vol 140 (6) ◽  
pp. 588-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerzy Stanek
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Minimal Risk ◽  
Pregnancy Risk ◽  
Chorionic Villi ◽  
Injury Group ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Chorangiosis has been regarded as a result of low-grade placental hypoxia associated with pregnancy risk factors and abnormal outcomes. It is unknown whether these are a consequence of chorangiosis itself or of associated other placental pathology.Context.— To prove that chorangiosis itself does not portend an increased risk for pregnancy unless associated with other placental pathology.Objective.— This retrospective statistical study analyzes 1231 consecutive placentas with diffuse or focal hypervascularity of chorionic villi: 328 with preuterine pattern of chronic hypoxic placental injury (group 1), 297 with uterine type of chronic hypoxic placental injury (group 2), and 606 cases with chorangiosis (group 3) not fulfilling the inclusion criteria for groups 1 or 2.Design.— Group 2, with 33 cases of chorangiosis (11.1%), featured 10 and 11 statistically significant highest percentages of abnormal clinical and placental variables, respectively; group 3 featured the highest percentages of multiple pregnancy, the heaviest placentas, and the most common acute chorioamnionitis, fetal inflammatory response; and group 1 had the highest proportion of mild erythroblastosis of fetal blood. When comparing groups 1 and 3, 21 of 29 clinical risk factors/outcomes (72.4%) and 30 of 41 placental variables (73.2%) were more common in group 1.Results.— Presence of diffuse hypoxic patterns of placental injury adds prognostically negative significance to increased vascularity of chorionic villi. Chorangiosis without those patterns portends minimal risk for the pregnancy, and is associated with significantly fewer pregnancy risk factors, abnormal outcomes, and other placental abnormalities.Conclusions.—

scholarly journals Association of Haemoglobin and C-Reactive Protein level with Different Risk Factors among Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-160
Author(s):  
Md Mahboob Morshed ◽  
Md Joynul Islam ◽  
ATM Ashadullah ◽  
Khondker Shaheed Hussain ◽  
Mohammad Ahtashamul Haque
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Acute Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Group 4 ◽  
History Of ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Background: Different risk factors may be related with the haemoglobin and CRP level among the acute coronary syndrome patients. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to see the association of haemoglobin and CRP level with different type of risk factors among the acute coronary syndrome patients. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Cardiology at Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh, Bangladesh from December 2010 to November 2011 for a period of two (02) years. Patients of ACS who were presented within 12 hours of chest pain were included as study population. Study population were categorized in four groups according to the level of hemoglobin and C-reactive protein. Age, cardiovascular risks factor, history, family history of cardiovascular disease, treatment history and ECG were taken during admission. Blood sample was collected for baseline laboratory investigations like Troponin-I, Random Blood Sugar (RBS), Blood urea, Serum creatinine, lipid profile, Hemoglobin & CRP level. Sample were then send to standard laboratory/Biochemistry department of MMCH. Result: The mean age of the population was 52.18±8.88 years. Smoking was the highest percentage in Group 1 which was 54(50.0%) cases (P=0.001). Hypertension was found most common in group 1 (47.6%), Group 2 (33.3%), Group 3 (10.7%) and Group 4 (8.3%). Smoking (p=0.001) and hypertension (p=0.016) was found statistically significant. Diabetes was found in Group 1 (37.7%), Group 2 (43.5%), Group 3 (11.6%) and Group 4 (7.2%). Group 1 (50%) and Group 2 (50%) patients were dyslipidaemic. Family history of IHD was present group-1 (36.8%), Group 2 (44.7%), Group 3 (73.2%) and Group 4 (53%). Among the smoker patient 65.6% cases had CRP level ˃12 mg/l; 39.8% cases had CRP level ˂12mg/L. Among the nonsmoker 34.4% cases had CRP level ˃12mg/l and 60.2% cases had CRP level ˂12mg/L. The finding was statistically significant. Conclusion: In conclusion haemoglobin and CRP level is associated with different type of risk factors among the acute coronary syndrome patients. Journal of National Institute of Neurosciences Bangladesh, 2019;5(2): 156-160

scholarly journals Risk factors for diastolic left ventricular myocardial dysfunction in patients with chronic kidney disease

2018 ◽  
Vol 90 (9) ◽  
pp. 60-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
T E Rudenko ◽  
E S Kamyshova ◽  
M P Vasilyeva ◽  
I N Bobkova ◽  
N I Solomakhina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Glomerular Filtration Rate ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Filtration Rate ◽  
Myocardial Dysfunction ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Purpose of the study. To examine the frequency and risk factors for the development of diastolic dysfunction (DD) of the left ventricle (LV) of the heart in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Materials and methods. The study included 225 patients with stage I-CKD of non-diabetic etiology (median age 47.0 years, 50.2% of women). Depending on the degree of decrease in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), all patients were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 (n=70) consisted of patients with GFR 89-45 ml / min / 1.73 m2, group 2 (n=120) - patients with GFR 44-15 ml / min / 1.73 m2, group 3 (n=35) - patients with GFR

scholarly journals Mortality Related Risk Factors in High-Risk Pulmonary Embolism in the ICU

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Begüm Ergan ◽  
Recai Ergün ◽  
Taner Çalışkan ◽  
Kutlay Aydın ◽  
Murat Emre Tokur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Thrombolytic Therapy ◽  
Invasive Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Apache Ii Score ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Introduction. We sought to identify possible risk factors associated with mortality in patients with high-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) after intensive care unit (ICU) admission.Patients and Methods. PE patients, diagnosed with computer tomography pulmonary angiography, were included from two ICUs and were categorized into groups: group 1 high-risk patients and group 2 intermediate/low-risk patients.Results. Fifty-six patients were included. Of them, 41 (73.2%) were group 1 and 15 (26.7%) were group 2. When compared to group 2, need for vasopressor therapy (0 vs 68.3%;p<0.001) and need for invasive mechanical ventilation (6.7 vs 36.6%;p=0.043) were more frequent in group 1. The treatment of choice for group 1 was thrombolytic therapy in 29 (70.7%) and anticoagulation in 12 (29.3%) patients. ICU mortality for group 1 was 31.7% (n=13). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, APACHE II score >18 (OR 42.47 95% CI 1.50–1201.1), invasive mechanical ventilation (OR 30.10 95% CI 1.96–463.31), and thrombolytic therapy (OR 0.03 95% CI 0.01–0.98) were found as independent predictors of mortality.Conclusion. In high-risk PE, admission APACHE II score and need for invasive mechanical ventilation may predict death in ICU. Thrombolytic therapy seems to be beneficial in these patients.

scholarly journals Product of Serum Calcium and Phosphorus (Ca x Pi) as a Predictor of Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-26
Author(s):  
Rojina Bakhunchhen ◽  
Raju Kumar Dubey ◽  
Archana Jayan ◽  
Santosh Kumar Shah ◽  
Prabin Khatri
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Serum Calcium ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Calcium And Phosphorus ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

INTRODUCTION: Most of the chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients develop cardiovascular disease (CVD) in their later stages. Various traditional CVD risk factors are highly prevalent in CKD but mortality of these patients cannot be fully justified by these CVD markers. So this study was designed to determine serum calcium and phosphorus product (Ca×Pi) to predict CVD risk in CKD patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS We followed the guidelines of NKF-KDOQI for CKD diagnosis and staging. Further the patients were classified into 3 different groups based on Ca×Pi product; <40 mg2/dl2 (group 1), 40-55 mg2/dl2 (group 2) and >55 mg2/dl2 (group 3). We then evaluated CVD risk by various traditional risk factors like age, BMI, BP, smoking history, dyslipidemia, previous history of CVD, LVH, arrhythmia, VHD, cardiomyopathy, and IHD. RESULTS: Higher level of Ca×Pi was associated with presence of LVH (32.30% in group 1, 31.42% in group 2 and 46.66% in group 3), Arrythemia (13.84% in group 1, 28.57% in group 2 and 46.67% in group 3), VHD (5.71% in group 2 and 10.00% in group 3), Cardiomyopathy (1.53% in group 1, 8.57% I group 2 and 6.66% in group 3), IHD (6.15% in group1, 11.42% in group 2 and 13.33% in group 3) and hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia and increased LDLc. CONCLUSION: This study found that higher Ca×Pi increases with decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and associated with CVD risks and CVD. So, this study raise a potential need to evaluate the level of calcium and phosphorus in all CKD patients and the level should be monitored more thoroughly to prevent CVD.

scholarly journals Preterm Birth in Nulliparous Women

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-41
Author(s):  
Roziya Kuzibaeva ◽  
Valery Volkov
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Medical Indication ◽  
Nulliparous Women ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Medical Indications ◽  
Singleton Pregnancies ◽  
Group 1

The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and risk factors of Preterm birth (PB), depending on the mechanism of their occurrence in nulliparous women with singleton pregnancies. Methods and Results: This retrospective, population-based cohort study included 327 nulliparous women who gave birth at 22-37 weeks gestation. Three groups of women were formed: Group 1 included 32 women with spontaneous PB, Group 2 included 115 women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM), and Group 3 included 180 women with medical indication for PB. The average age of the mothers for the whole group was 29.3±6.0 years. Depending on the gestational age, PB in 22-27 weeks occurred in 23(7.4%) cases, 28-33 weeks in 110(33.6%) cases, and 34-37 weeks in 194(59%) cases. In our cohort, the frequency of PB resulting from spontaneous PB, PROM or medical indication for PB was 9.8%, 35.2%, and 55%, respectively. The main risk factors for PB were preeclampsia of varying severity, placental abruption, placental insufficiency, and fetal growth retardation. The highest number of pregnancy complications was found in Group 3. Conclusion: PB in nulliparous women occurs more often in the period of 34-37 weeks, the main reason being medical indications (maternal or fetal). Attempts to analyze, interpret, and reduce the level of PB should be considered separately, depending on the mechanism of their occurrence.

Features of the ophthalmological status and risk factors in patients with retinopathy of prematurity

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 67-70
Author(s):  
M. N. Ponomareva ◽  
◽  
E. M. Pochinok ◽  
E. V. Fomina ◽  
E. P. Ashikhmina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Retinopathy Of Prematurity ◽  
Congenital Glaucoma ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Premature Babies ◽  
Dynamic Observation ◽  
Somatic Status ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Aim. To identify risk factors for the development of retinopathy of prematurity and features of the ophthalmological status in dynamics, after two years. Materials and methods. The analysis of outpatient records of 638 premature babies for three years was carried out, of which 309 girls (48.44%) and 329 boys (51.56%) were observed in the consulting and diagnostic office for the identification and monitoring of children with retinopathy of prematurity in Tyumen. Results. The study showed that boys developed more severe stages of PH. The analysis of gestation periods in the groups revealed its significant effect on the development of PH (p < 0.05). Patients with a gestation period from 24 weeks to 27.5 weeks are 1.7 times more common in patients of groups 2 and 3 compared to group 1. There was a significant (p ≤ 0.03) increase in the proportion of patients with extremely low body weight (from 500 to 1000 grams) in groups 2 and 3 compared to group 1. In all groups, the majority of patients have anemia, a syndrome of respiratory disorders. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia and intra-ventricular hemorrhages of 3-4 degrees are more common in patients in groups 2 and 3 with a significance level of p = 0.003 and p = 0.001, respectively. The analysis of the clinical course of PH showed the dependence of spontaneous regression of the disease on the stage: it occurred only in patients of groups 1 and 2. Laser retinal coagulation was required in 82.6% of cases in patients of group 3, after which induced self-regression occurred. The inability to perform laser retinal coagulation was noted in 4.3% of cases due to the severity of the somatic status. Dynamic observation of the ophthalmological status for two years showed the absence of pathology in patients of group 1 and its increase depending on the severity of PH: in patients of group 2 in 15% of cases, in patients of group 3 in 65.22%. The revealed ophthalmological pathology includes accelerated refractogenesis, refractive errors, pathology of binocular vision, atrophy of the optic nerve, congenital glaucoma. Conclusion. Further study of risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity, methods of its treatment and their influence on the state of ophthalmological status in dynamics is required. Children who have undergone retinopathy need careful observation by an ophthalmologist throughout the entire period of growth and formation of visual functions.

scholarly journals The Monetary Value of Human Lives Lost to Suicide in the African Continent: Beating the African War Drums

Healthcare ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 84
Author(s):  
Joses M. Kirigia ◽  
Rosenabi D.K. Muthuri ◽  
Newton G. Muthuri
Keyword(s):  
Discount Rate ◽  
Economic Burden ◽  
Years Of Life Lost ◽  
African Continent ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Monetary Value ◽  
Group 3 ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Background: Suicide is an important public health problem in the African continent whose economic burden remains largely unknown. This study estimated the monetary value of human lives lost due to suicide in the African continent in 2017. Methods: The human capital approach was applied to monetarily value the years of life lost due to premature mortality from suicide deaths (SD) among 54 African countries. A 3% discount rate was used to convert future losses into their present values. The sensitivity of monetary value of human lives lost to changes in discount rate and average life expectancy was tested. Results: The 75,505 human lives lost from suicide had a grand total monetary value of International Dollars (Int$) 6,989,963,325; and an average present value of Int$ 92,576 per SD. About 31.1% of the total monetary value of SD was borne by high-income and upper-middle-income countries (Group 1); 54.4% by lower-middle-income countries (Group 2); and 14.5% by low-income countries (Group 3). The average monetary value per human life lost from SD was Int$ 234,244 for Group 1, Int$ 109,545 for Group 2 and Int$ 32,223 for Group 3. Conclusions: Evidence shows that suicide imposes a substantive economic burden on African economies. The evidence reinforces the case for increased investments to ensure universal coverage of promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative mental health services.

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