An audit of snake bite injuries seen at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Nigeria

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Snakebite is an important but often overlooked medical problem worldwide. This work is an audit of snakebite injuries in Sokoto, North West Nigeria using hospital-based data. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective analysis of the records of all adult patients with snakebite managed at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, North West Nigeria from January 2000 to December 2004 was carried out. Information retrieved included demographic and clinical data. RESULTS: Seventy three patients made up of 55 males (75.3%) and 18 females (24.7%) were involved. Male to female ratio was 3:1. Snakebite constituted 1.7 per 1000 hospital admissions and 12.7 per 1000 medical admissions. 82.2% of the patients were between 15 and 40 years of age. 89% of the bites were between the months of March and October. 54.8% of the patients were bitten in the home environment while 39.7% were bitten in the bush. The lower limbs were the most common sites of bite (58.9%). Most( 63%) of the bites occurred during the daytime. 50.7% of the patients showed signs of envenomation while 64.4% received antivenom. Majority of the patients survived and 2.7% of the patients died. The outcome was unknown in 26.0% of patients. CONCLUSION: Snakebite constitutes an important cause of hospital admission and occurs mainly during the rainy season which coincides with the period of intense farming activities in the study population. The build up commences during the period of intense heat. Envenomation status of patients need to be accurately determined to avoid excessive use of antivenoms with the attendant risk to patients.     

对配偶婚外情的决定宽恕和情感宽恕与心理健康的关系

目的:考察因配偶婚外情而求助热线的个案决定宽恕与情感宽恕与心理健康状况的关系。方法:采用问卷调查法对82名热线求助个案进行测查。结果:①求助个案自尊和生活满意度处于中等水平,而抑郁和沉思处于较高水平;②决定宽恕显著正向预测生活满意度,情感宽恕显著负向预测抑郁心境和沉思;③高决定宽恕低情感宽恕组的生活满意度显著高于低决定宽恕低情感宽恕组;高决定宽恕高情感宽恕组的沉思显著低于另外两组。结论:决定宽恕和情感宽恕对个体心理健康有积极影响,婚姻家庭治疗师或其他专业人士应关注两者在婚外恋创伤心理治疗中的重要意义。     

Comparison of antegonial index,mental index,panoramic mandibular index and mandibular cortical index values in the panoramic radiographs of normal males and male patients with osteoporosis

Objective

The aim of the study was to compare the values of the antegonial index (AI), mental index (MI), panoramic mandibular index (PMI) and mandibular cortical index (MCI) in the panoramic radiographs of normal males and male patients with osteoporosis.

Methods

In panoramic radiographs obtained from 40 male individuals (20 normal and 20 with osteoporosis), the mean was calculated for MI, AI, PMI and MCI index values measured in the right and left mandibles. The MI, AI and PMI index values were evaluated using the paired t-test, and MCI values were analysed using the χ² test.

Results

MI (P < 0.001), AI (P < 0.01) and PMI (P < 0.05) values were significantly smaller in the group with osteoporosis; however, MCI (P > 0.05) was not significantly different.

Conclusion

MI, PMI and AI values, as radiomorphometric indices, were found to be smaller among male patients with osteoporosis, compared with normal patients in this study. It is suggested that these indices, used as an ancillary method in the diagnosis of osteoporosis in women, could also be useful for male patients. Further studies, of larger groups are needed on this subject, including of the MCI, which in this study showed no significant difference.     

Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its components in relation to socioeconomic status among Jamaican young adults: a cross-sectional study

Background  

The metabolic syndrome has a high prevalence in many countries and has been associated with socioeconomic status (SES). This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its components among Jamaican young adults and evaluate its association with parental SES.     

The role of the iliotibial band during the pivot shift test

Purpose

Several studies have suggested that the iliotibial (IT) band plays a role in knee laxity and that it may affect the magnitude of the pivot shift observed. However, the extent of the role played by the IT band, as well as its mechanism of action, is not currently known. This cadaveric study aimed to quantify the effect of the IT band and the hip abduction angle on the magnitude of anterior tibial translation (ATT) during the pivot shift.

Methods

Six fresh-frozen hip-to-toes specimens were used. Serial sectioning of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the IT band was performed. Lachman and mechanized pivot shift manoeuvres were employed at each stage, and ATT of the lateral and medial compartments was measured using navigation. Three hip abduction angles were tested for each condition: 0°, 15° and 30°.

Results

Sequential sectioning of the ACL and the IT band resulted in a significant increase in ATT in both the lateral (Intact = 0 ± 0.5 mm; ACL deficient = 8.1 ± 0.2 mm; ACL + IT deficient = 10.8 ± 0.3 mm) and medial (Intact = 6.7 ± 0.4 mm; ACL deficient = 8.4 ± 0.3 mm; ACL + IT deficient = 9.9 ± 0.3 mm) compartments. No significant increase in ATT was observed after changing the hip abduction angle at each stage.

Conclusions

An increase in the magnitude of the pivot shift and the Lachman was observed as the constraint of the IT band was removed. Additionally, it was shown that the hip abduction angle at which the pivot shift test was performed did not significantly affect the magnitude of ATT in this cadaveric model.     

Prevalence and risk factors of hyperuricemia in patients with IgA nephropath

Objective To evaluate the prevalence of hyperuricemia in patients with IgA nephropathy and find out the risk factors of hyperuricemia, including clinical and pathological characteristics. Methods A retrospective study enrolled 2566 adult patients, who admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University from 1996.01 to 2012.12 and diagnosed with biopsy- proven IgA nephropathy was conducted. Results Among 2566 IgA nephropathy patients, the prevalence of hyperuricaemia was 36.6%. Prevalence of hyperuricaemia for CKD stage 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 was 16.2%, 37.4%, 66.4%, 87.7% and 76.4%, respectively. Adjusting Logistic regression analysis showed male gender, progressive stages of CKD, increased percentage of global glomerulosclerosis were independent risk factors of IgA nephropathy; male gender, progressive stage of CKD, increased level of cholesterol, increased percentage of global glomerulosclerosis were independent risk factors for CKD stage 1 - 2 patients; progressive stages of CKD and increased percentage of global glomerulosclerosis were independent risk factors for CKD stage 3 - 5 patients. Conclusion The prevalence of hyperuricemia in patients with IgA nephropathy was 36.6%, and identifying the risk factors associated with hyperuricaemia among different CKD stages of IgA nephropathy will be important to improve our understanding in intervention of this disease.