African health sciences
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African health sciences · Jun 2023
Risk factors for pancreatitis occurrence after gallstone treatment using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.
Patients with gallstones are prone to pancreatitis after treatment using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The aim of this study was to explore the risk factors for pancreatitis occurrence after gallstone treatment using ERCP. ⋯ Patients with gallstones have a higher risk of developing pancreatitis. Young age, long course of disease, gallbladder wall thickness >3 mm, sand-like stones, history of pancreatic disease, pancreatic duct visualization and number of intubation ≥2 are risk factors for post-ERCP pancreatitis.
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African health sciences · Jun 2023
Human growth hormone, a marker for HIV infection among adult Igbo Nigerians: relationship between human growth hormone and CD4+ count with viral load.
Routine viral load and CD4+ testing is key to monitoring the extent of danger caused by HIV and response to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV individuals, but its availability has been limited in low and middle-income countries. The study sort to ascertain relationship between serum Human Growth Hormone (HGH) gold standard with CD4 cells and viral load in HIV-infected patients. CD4+ T-cells, HIV viral load, and HGH were assayed in HIV- infected patients from May to December 2020. 460 subjects were engaged and separated into two groups: the HIV-infected untreated (Pre-ART) and the control groups. ⋯ CD4 count and serum HGH were significantly higher (p<0.05) in females than in males. It also reveals that CD4 count correlates positively with HGH level (r= 0.191**). Serum HGH could serve as a surrogate marker and valuable index in monitoring HIV patients.
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African health sciences · Jun 2023
Pulmonary artery diameter and NT-proBNP in patients with Covid-19: Predicting prognosis and mortality.
The diverse and complex presentations of COVID-19 continue to impact the world. Factors related to prognosis and mortality are still not fully illuminated. ⋯ Accurate and effective interpretation of available radiological and laboratory data is essential to reveal the factors predicting prognosis and mortality in COVID-19. In this study,we evaluated that the thorax CTs and determined that the MPAD/AAD and NT-proBNP level were independent risk factors in predicting mortality.
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African health sciences · Jun 2023
Challenges and recommendations for addressing under-five pneumonia morbidity and mortality in Nigeria.
Pneumonia is a severe infection and one of the most common causes of mortality among children under five years of age, when not appropriately managed. Infection of the lungs by bacteria, viruses, or fungi and consequent inflammation may lead to cough and difficult breathing. Some of the key predisposing factors are malnutrition and air pollution. WHO reports that Africa has the highest burden of global child mortality, and 16% of all deaths in pneumonia, were children under five years of age in 2016. ⋯ The results from this study highlight contextual issues playing major roles in pneumonia mortality among children in Nigeria, which will need approaches on several levels to address them.
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African health sciences · Jun 2023
Heart failure in Nigeria: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Heart failure is now a significant contributor to the burden of non-communicable diseases in developing countries like Nigeria which is experiencing epidemiologic and demographic transition. The epidemiology of heart failure in this country is poorly characterized. The aim of the review is to determine the prevalence of heart failure, the associated risk factors, the aetiology, management, and outcomes of the condition in the country. ⋯ This will be the first systematic review and meta-analysis of heart failure epidemiology in Nigeria which will hopefully identify gaps for future research and guidance for policy interventions.