African health sciences
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African health sciences · Sep 2014
Review Case ReportsCoats' disease in Tanzania: first case report and literature review.
Coats' disease is an exudative retinal detachment with vascular telangiectasis occurring mostly in male children, the age group most affected by retinoblastoma. ⋯ Coats' disease is an important differential diagnosis of retinoblastoma. Delay to detect Coats' disease leads to vision loss which necessitates eye enucleation as was in this child.
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African health sciences · Sep 2014
ReviewEffectiveness and cost effectiveness of screening immigrants schemes for tuberculosis (TB) on arrival from high TB endemic countries to low TB prevalent countries.
Immigrants to developed countries are a major source of TB. Therefore amongst strategies adopted for TB control in developed countries include; 1) Screening immigrants at ports of entry referred to as "Port of Arrival Screening" (PoA) and 2) Passive screening (PS) for TB which means screening immigrants through general practices, hospitals, chest-clinics and emergency departments. Evidence of the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of these strategies is not consistent. ⋯ Active PoA screening is worth doing with significant benefits including early identification of risk groups with possible timely treatment/chemoprophylaxis intervention, prevention of transmission by significantly reducing infectiousness with subsequent avoidance of hospitalisation in active PoA screening group.
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Dry mouth is usually caused by a reduced salivary flow or by changes in the biochemical composition of saliva. ⋯ It can be concluded that there is no clear evidence for the causes and treatment of dry mouth, therefore the majority of the general dental practitioners refer most of the cases to appropriate specialist. Treatment must be individualized, salivary substitutes and mechanical stimulation techniques can be applied.
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African health sciences · Jun 2014
ReviewDental approach to erosive tooth wear in gastroesophageal reflux disease.
The duration of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), the frequency of reflux, the pH and type of acid, and the quality and quantity of saliva affect the severity of dental erosion due to GERD. ⋯ Diagnosing the cause of erosive tooth wear can help prevent further damage. Patients must be informed about how to prevent GERD.
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African health sciences · Dec 2013
ReviewA review of the management of perforated duodenal ulcers at a tertiary hospital in south western Nigeria.
Gastro-duodenal perforations are common and may complicate peptic ulcer disease. Management is often by surgical closure. ⋯ Late presentation of duodenal ulcer perforation is common with high mortality. Pragmatic surgical intervention with Graham's omentopexy with broad spectrum antibiotics is still commonly practiced.