Stroke prevalence amongst sickle cell disease patients in Nigeria: a multi-centre study

Background

Stroke is a life-changing, debilitating complication of sickle cell disease (SCD). Previous studies had recorded high stroke prevalence amongst this group of patients. Nigeria has a large population of people affected by this condition and this study aims to assess the stroke prevalence in this large population.

Methodology

Stroke prevalence data from 14 physicians working in 11 tertiary health centres across the country was collated by doctors using the sickle cell registers and patient case notes. This data was then collated and used to obtain the overall stroke prevalence in adult and children.

Results

The stroke prevalence in sickle cell disease patients in Nigeria was observed to be 12.4 per 1000 patients. Prevalence in the adult patients was 17.7 per 1000 patients and 7.4 per 1000 patients in children. Twenty three percent of the affected patients had more than stroke episode.

Conclusion

The stroke prevalence in Nigeria is lower than previously recorded rates and further studies will be required to investigate other factors which may play a role.     

Childhood Eye Diseases in Southwestern Nigeria: A Tertiary Hospital Study

BACKGROUND

Eye diseases are important cause of medical consultation in children, with the spectrum varying in different localities. This study aimed to determine the spectrum of childhood eye diseases in a tertiary hospital serving rural and semi-rural communities.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of all patients less than 15 years old who presented to the eye clinic of Wesley Guild Hospital Ilesa, Nigeria between January 2001 and December 2006. Data on age at presentation, age at onset of disease, sex and diagnosis were collected and analyzed using SPSS. A p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

We evaluated the reports of 286 children, with a male:female ratio of 1:1.1. Children aged 11–15 years made up the largest group (p=0.013). Ocular trauma (21.7%), allergic conjunctivitis (17.8%), infections of the eye and its adnexa (15.4%) and refractive errors (14.3%) were the most common conditions. Ocular injury was more common in males (p=0.002) and children aged 6–10 years, and 87.1% of these cases were a closed globe injury. Infections were seen more commonly among females and children aged 0–5 years, with keratitis representing 40.9% of these cases. Congenital eye disease represented 13.3% of childhood eye diseases.

CONCLUSION

The prevalent childhood eye diseases recorded here can lead to absenteeism from school and are potentially blinding. Health education aimed at the prevention of ocular trauma and prompt presentation for the management of other eye diseases should be encouraged.     

超声心动图曲线M型应变率成像研究冠心病心肌缺血

目的应用曲线M型应变率成像（CMM-SRI）技术研究冠心病缺血心肌的图像特点，重点探讨收缩-舒张转换时间（Tcec）的改变。方法冠心病组和正常对照组各60例，观察左心室CMM-SRI图像特点，定量检测各节段Tcec，冠状动脉造影确定缺血节段，比较冠心病组左心室壁各节段与对照组之间Tcec的差异。结果无缺血节段的室壁，CMM-SRI图像红、蓝颜色转换的交界线基本呈直线，有缺血节段的室壁，交界线呈不规则曲线；缺血节段Tcec延长，与对照组比较绝大多数缺血节段差异有统计学意义。结论CMM-SRI可定量分析缺血心肌Tcec的改变，提示CMM-SRI技术可用于检测缺血心肌。     

Congenital heart disease in school children in Lagos,Nigeria: Prevalence and the diagnostic gap

Congenital heart disease (CHD) in low‐and‐middle income countries (LMIC) is often characterized by late presentation resulting from inadequate screening and healthcare access in these regions. Accurate estimates of the burden of CHD among school children are often lacking. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of CHD among school children in two communities (urban and semi‐urban) in south western Nigeria. Using clinical assessment and portable echocardiography, 4107 school children aged 5 years to 16 years in Lagos, Nigeria, were selected using a multistage sampling procedure and screened for CHD. Diagnosis of CHD was made after echocardiography. Children identified with CHD were referred to a tertiary hospital for appropriate cardiac care. The 4,107 children screened had a mean age of 11.3 ± 2.7 years and 53.7% were females. Twenty seven children had echocardiography‐confirmed CHD, representing a prevalence of CHD among school children in Lagos, Nigeria of 6.6 per 1000 children. Acyanotic CHD constituted 96.3% of detected cases. Two children diagnosed with CHD (Tetralogy of Fallot and severe pulmonary valve stenosis respectively) had successful intervention. The prevalence of previously undiagnosed CHD among school children in Lagos Nigeria is substantial and highlights gaps in the health care system and school health programs. Echocardiographic screening of school children provides an opportunity for missed early diagnosis and treatment of CHD and reduces the prevalence of first‐diagnosed CHD in adulthood. Therefore, focused clinical examination of school children followed by echocardiography is a strategy that could bridge this diagnostic and treatment gap in CHD.     

Changing coronary heart disease risk-factor status: The effects of three behavioral programs

Seventy-five persons (57 male and 18 female) with a high risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) were randomly assigned in equal numbers to three 8-week behavioral treatment programs. All three treatments were designed to alter simultaneously a number of risk-elevating behavior patterns, in the expectation that change in any one behavior pattern would reinforce change in others. Weight, blood pressure, and aerobic fitness were regularly assessed in all subjects. Serum lipids were also measured, but less frequently. All three interventions produced significant beneficial changes in the major objective measures, and the changes were well maintained after 12 months. The most improved group exhibited the following mean changes: weight loss of 9.2 kg, reductions in blood pressure of 12.9/8.8 mm Hg, improvement in aerobic capacity of 33%, reduction in serum cholesterol of 0.45 mmol/liter, and reduction in current overall CHD risk of 41%. The effectiveness of the interventions was positively related to the degree to which the programs emphasized training in, and detailed application of, behavioral change principles.     

风湿性心脏病与成人先心病围手术期心肌酶变化的比较

目的通过对风湿性心脏病（RHD组）和成人先天胜心脏病（CHD组）患者围术期心肌酶的变化进行动态观察,探讨不同病种的手术对心肌损伤的影响。方法44例成人患者接受心内直视手术,其中RHD组24例患者接受二尖瓣置换术;CHD组20例患者为先天性房间隔缺损或室间隔缺损。手术前1d、术后1d,3d、5d和8d分别取静脉血,测定并比较两组患者血清门冬酸氨基转移酶（AST）、肌酸激酶（CK）及其同工酶MB（CK-MB）、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）、α-羟丁酸脱氢酶（HBHD）的变化。结果两组患者术前5种心肌酶均在正常范围,术后1d分别升高到术前的2～11倍（P〈0．01）,术后3d均有不同程度的恢复,到术后8d,除两组的LDH和HBHD仍高于术前外,其它酶的释放量均已恢复到正常水平。术后心肌酶的释放量RHD组较CHD组为高（P〈0．05）。结论择期手术的RHD和CHD患者术前心肌酶的释放量在正常水平。术后两组心肌酶释放的高峰时间及心肌酶的恢复次序是一致的,术后RHD组患者心肌酶的释放量较CHD组患者高。     

The genetics of isolated congenital heart disease

The genetic mechanisms underlying congenital heart disease (CHD) are complex and remain incompletely understood. The majority of patients with CHD have an isolated heart defect without other organ system involvement, but the genetic basis of isolated CHD has been even more difficult to elucidate compared to syndromic CHD. Our understanding of the genetics of isolated CHD is advancing in large part due to advances in next generation sequencing, and the list of genes associated with CHD is rapidly expanding. Variants in hundreds of genes have been identified that may cause or contribute to CHD, but a genetic cause can still only be identified in about 20–30% of patients. Identifying a genetic cause for CHD can have an impact on clinical outcomes and prognosis and thus it is important for clinicians to understand when and what to test in patients with isolated CHD. This chapter reviews some of the known genetic mechanisms that contribute to isolated inherited and sporadic CHD as well as recommendations for evaluation and genetic testing in patients with isolated CHD.     

胎儿心脏大动脉畸形的产前超声心动图诊断技术探讨

目的探讨胎儿心脏大动脉畸形的产前超声心动图诊断方法及操作技术路线。方法对已检出的117例胎儿复杂型先天性心脏病(先心病)合并大动脉畸形胎儿进行回顾性分析并与尸检和出生后手术及超声检查进行对比。结果117例复杂先心病胎儿的大动脉交叉图显示无交叉关系及交叉关系异常65例(55.5%);检出大动脉内径及瓣膜异常为51例占43.5%(其中大动脉内径异常35例;主动脉瓣/肺动脉瓣狭窄16例)。结论胎儿心脏大动脉畸形在胎儿心脏病诊断中属难度最大和最易发生漏诊,检查中应明确血流动力学异常改变及动态显示有无大动脉交叉切面及血管排列、内径、瓣膜形态及数量、瓣上和流出道等异常改变。     

Tuberous sclerosis in a patient from Nigeria

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant syndrome characterized by mostly benign tumors of the brain, skin, heart, kidney, and eye. Aberrations in the genes TSC1 and TSC2 which encode hamartin and tuberin, respectively, cause TSC. Because disease manifestations develop over time, early diagnosis and intervention are imperative for patients. TSC is not well described in patients from sub‐Saharan Africa or of black African ancestry. Here, we report on a 4‐year‐old Nigerian boy with skin lesions and cardiac anomalies associated with TSC. Furthermore, we note that in areas with limited resources for genetic diagnoses, the common skin manifestations found in TSC may be especially useful clinical markers.     

Menopause and modifiable coronary heart disease risk factors: A population based study

Objectives

The aim of our study was to determine the effect of the menopause on various coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors and on the global risk of CHD in a population based sample of women, making the difference between menopause and age related effects.

Study design

The Third French MONICA cross-sectional survey on cardiovascular risk included 1730 randomly selected women, aged 35–64 years, representative from the general population.

Main outcome measures

Women were defined as post-menopausal (postM; n = 696), peri-menopausal (periM; n = 183) or pre-menopausal (preM; n = 659) based on the date of last menses. Socio-demographic, clinical and biological data were collected. Analyses of variance were used to compare means.

Results

PostM women had significantly higher age-adjusted levels of total cholesterol (6.0 mmol/L in postM vs. 5.7 mmol/L in preM, p < 0.05) and LDL cholesterol (3.9 mmol/L vs. 3.6 mmol/L, p < 0.05). There was no difference in HDL cholesterol or triglyceride levels, glycemia or blood pressure. Further adjustment on body mass index and hormonal treatments did not modify the results. No risk factor was significantly different between periM and postM. However, the Framingham 10-year risk of CHD was higher in postM, as compared with periM (5.1% vs. 5.0%, p < 0.05). In postM women, lipids and the Framingham risk were not associated with elapsed time since menopause.

Conclusions

The CHD risk increases during the sixth decade could be explained not only by estrogen deprivation but also by an effect on lipid profile, which is likely to occur in the peri-menopause period.     

真武汤加味对冠心病心力衰竭患者左心功能的影响

目的：评价真武汤加味对冠心病心力衰竭患者左心功能的影响。方法：100例冠心病心力衰竭患者随机分为治疗组和对照组,各50例。对照组用西医常规药物治疗,治疗组用西医常规药物加真武汤加味治疗,于入院当天和入院第90天行二维超声心动图测量,计算左心室舒张末内径、左心室收缩末内径和左室射血分数,并抽血检查血浆N端脑钠肽前体水平的变化。结果：与治疗前比较,两组的左心室舒张和收缩末内径均显著缩小（均P〈0．01）,左心室射血分数均明显增加（均P〈0．01）,血浆N端脑钠肽前体水平均显著降低（均P〈0．01）,用药后治疗组各指标改善明显优于对照组（均P〈0．011。结论：西医常规药物加真武汤加味治疗可以显著改善冠心病心力衰竭患者的左心功能和心室重构。     

D-二聚体在慢性肺源性心脏病患者中检测的临床意义

目的检测慢性肺源性心脏病急性加重期和临床缓解期患者血浆D-二聚体（D-dimer）含量的变化,分析其临床意义。方法慢性肺源性心脏病急性加重期和临床缓解期患者及正常对照组各30例,以ELISA法测定血浆D-dimer含量。结果慢性肺源性心脏病患者急性加重期和临床缓解期血浆D-dimer含量分别为（2.62±0.91）、（2.16±0.78）μg/L,均较正常对照者的（1.74±0.63）μg/L明显增高,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;而急性加重期血浆D-dimer含量也明显高于缓解期（P〈0.05）。结论 D-dimer增高是慢性肺源性心脏病临床病理生理改变的结果,而且与疾病的严重程度有关。     

Challenges in critical care services in Sub-Saharan Africa: Perspectives from Nigeria

Critical care services in Nigeria and other West African countries had been hampered by economic reversals resulting in low wages, manpower flight overseas, government apathy towards funding of hospitals, and endemic corruption. Since then things have somewhat improved with the government''s willingness to invest more in healthcare, and clampdown on resource diversion in some countries like Nigeria. Due to the health needs of these countries, including funding and preventive medicine, it may take a long time to reach reasonably high standards. Things are better than they were several years ago and that gives cause for optimism, especially with the debt cancellation by Western nations for most countries in the region. Since most of the earlier studies have been done by visiting doctors, mainly outside the West African subregion, this paper seeks to present a view of the challenges faced by providers of critical care services in the region, so that people do not have to rely on anecdotal evidence for future references.     

冠心病患者心率变异性分析

目的研究冠心病患者心率变异（HRV）的变化规律及临床意义。方法选择50例无心律失常冠心病患者（冠心病组）、30例伴心律失常冠心病患者（心率失常组）与52例正常成人自愿者（正常组）进行24h动态心电图HRV指标比较研究。结果与正常组比较,冠心病患者SDNN、SDANN、RMSSD、PNN50和HF指标均降低,LF指标升高,具有显著差异。伴心律失常与无心律失常冠心病患者比较,HRV指标异常变化趋于恶化。结论冠心病患者心脏自主神经调节功能受到损害,迷走神经活性减弱,交感神经活动占优势。     

高原先天性心脏病的病因研究

调查了２８０例先证者的一级亲属患病率为１．３８％，对照组的一级亲属患病率为０．７３％，按公式计算出遗传度为１７．４％，对１３４例高原先心病患者的母亲与对照组的母亲进行了：足月妊娠或不足月妊娠；妊娠期患病；妊娠期服用药物；妊娠期接触化学药物；妊娠期接触射线的统计学研究。在西宁地区随机取３０例先心病患者的耳垂血涂片与对照组进行了淋巴细胞微核率的比较，结果Ｐ＞０．０５。     

Pulmonary hypertensive necrotizing arteritis: An unusual case of unilateral involvement in an infant with congenital heart disease

Pulmonary hypertension is clinically defined as a pulmonary arterial pressure greater than 25 mmHg at rest or greater than 30 mmHg during exercise. We report a unique case of an infant with congenital heart disease causing pulmonary hypertension and necrotizing pulmonary arteritis but affecting only one lung. In conclusion, in pulmonary valve atresia, the lungs may be supplied via aortopulmonary collaterals. Necrotizing pulmonary arteritis is a severe lesion seen in irreversible pulmonary hypertension.     

Clinical and microbiological profile of adult inpatients with community acquired pneumonia in Ilorin,North Central,Nigeria

BackgroundThe optimal management of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) depends on the clinical and microbiological profile in the locality.ObjectivesTo determine the clinical and microbiological profile of patients admitted with CAP in Ilorin, Nigeria.MethodsOne hundred and two consenting consecutively selected patients with clinical and radiologic confirmation of CAP were recruited in 12 months. The socio-demographic, physical examination and laboratory/radiologic parameters were documented in a questionnaire. Microbiological evaluation of their sputum was done and blood samples were taken for complete blood count, culture, serum urea and serological evaluation for atypical bacteria and some viral pathogens.ResultsCAP constituted 5.9% of the total medical admissions during the one-year study period. The mean age of the patients was 49 ± 22 years with the largest frequency in those aged 65 years and above. The commonest symptoms were shortness of breath (96.1%) and cough (94.1%), with a median duration of 3 days from symptom onset to admission. Systemic hypertension was the commonest comorbid illness (25/102; 24.5%). Klebsiella pneumoniae was the predominant pathogen isolated (20/102; 28.1%). The susceptible antibiotics were Imipenem, Ceftazidime and Ceftriaxone. Intra-hospital mortality was 17.6%. CURB – 65 score of ≥ 2 and the presence of complications of CAP were the independent predictors of mortality.ConclusionCAP constitutes a significant disease burden in Ilorin, Nigeria. Typical bacteria accounted for over half of the pathogens isolated from the patients with gram negative agents predominating. This highlights a possible shift in the microbiological profile which could guide empirical treatment.     

Microscopical atrial amyloidosis in chronic heart disease

Nineteen out of 121 consecutive cardiac biopsies from 107 patients were found to contain amyloid deposits on routine Congo red screening. Seventeen were left atrial appendages removed during mitral valvotomy for chronic rheumatic mitral valve disease while the remaining two were right atrial appendages excised during surgical repair of atrial septal defects. The distribution of amyloid deposits within the atria and their tinctorial characteristics are described. The high prevalence of atrial amyloidosis observed could not be attributed to generalized or senile amyloidosis. The possibility that this is a distinctive localized form of amyloidosis secondary to chronic heart disease is discussed.     

青岛地区先天性心脏病患儿GATA-4基因突变的研究

目的研究山东省青岛地区先天性心脏病患儿GATA4基因突变情况。方法采用PCR直接测序技术对70例先天性心脏病患儿GATA-4基因的全部外显子进行基因突变筛查。结果在1例先天性心脏病室间隔缺损患儿中发现GA-TA4基因的杂合性突变,为第4外显子cDNA的886位点发生G〉A的杂合突变（c.886G〉A）,结果导致其编码蛋白的第296密码子由甘氨酸突变为丝氨酸（p.G296S）,为错义突变。结论在山东省青岛地区先天性心脏病患儿中发现了GATA-4基因的p.G296S突变,该突变可能导致先天性心脏病。