[68Ga]Ga-NODAGAZOL uptake in atherosclerotic plaques correlates with the cardiovascular risk profile of patients

Annals of Nuclear Medicine - This study aimed to determine the correlation of [68Ga]Ga-NODAGAZOL uptake in atherosclerotic plaques and the cardiovascular risk profile of patients imaged with...     

Prevalence and clinical correlates of metabolic syndrome in nigerians living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Abstract Background: Sub-Saharan Africa bears an inordinate burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Reports have shown increased prevalence of clustering of cardiovascular risk factors referred to as metabolic syndrome in treatment-na?ve patients and patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). In view of the fact that metabolic syndrome is a heterogeneous disorder with substantial variability in the prevalence and component traits within and across populations and the dearth of publications on the prevalence and clinical correlates of metabolic syndrome in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Nigeria, this study was carried out to determine the prevalence and clinical correlates of metabolic syndrome among an HIV-infected outpatient population using the National Cholesterol Education Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III), the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), and the Joint Interim Statement (JIS) definitions. We also sought to determine if HAART use and CD4 count level were associated with metabolic syndrome. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 291 (95 men, 196 women) consecutive PLWHA. Anthropometry, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, and lipid profile values were determined. Results: The prevalence rates of metabolic syndrome according to the ATP III, IDF, and JIS criteria were 12.7%, 17.2%, and 21.0%, respectively. Metabolic syndrome was significantly associated with female gender (all definitions), body mass index (all definitions), increasing age, and CD4 count (IDF definition). There was no significant association between metabolic syndrome and HAART. The concordance [kappa coefficient (κ)] between the definitions of metabolic syndrome varied between 0.583 and 0.878. Conclusions: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome varied with the criteria used and metabolic syndrome correlates with traditional cardiovascular risk factors rather than HAART-related factors.     

Radiation therapy: A major factor in the five-year survival analysis of women with breast cancer in Lagos,Nigeria

Purpose

This retrospective study was carried out to examine five-year survival from breast cancer cases diagnosed between 2005 and May 2008 in Nigerian women.

Material and methods

Two hundred and twenty-four patients were entered into the study. Five-year survival was evaluated using proportional hazard model proposed by Cox to assess variables such as age of diagnosis, menopausal status, and stage of the disease in the two treatment groups: surgery/chemotherapy or surgery/chemotherapy/radiotherapy.

Results

Findings revealed that the different staging of disease and treatment are independent predictors of disease outcome whereas age of diagnosis and menopausal status although associated with low hazards, are not significant. TNM Stage I (Hazard Ratio = 0.153, 95% CI 0.45–0.51, P = 0.003), II (Hazard Ratio = 0.245, 95% CI 0.12–0.46, P = 0.0001), and III (Hazard Ratio = 0.449, 95% CI 0.31–0.46, P = 0.0001) showed significantly greater survival rates compared to TNM Stage IV for patients receiving surgery/chemotherapy. Similarly, for patients receiving surgery/chemotherapy/radiotherapy TNM Stage II (Hazard Ratio = 0.110, 95% CI 0.02–0.46, P = 0.003) and III (Hazard Ratio = 0.238, 95% CI 0.07–0.73, P = 0.012) also showed significantly greater survival rates compared to TNM Stage IV. Treatment had a significant impact on survival independent of stage, age, and menopausal status. Patients receiving surgery/chemotherapy/radiotherapy had a significant increase in survival outcome for TNM Stage (II, P = 0.045; III, P = 0.0001); age groups (40–49, P = 0.021; 50–59, P = 0.016; 60–69, P = 0.017; >70, P = 0.025); and menopausal status (premenopausal, P = 0.049; postmenopausal, P = 0.0001) compared to those receiving surgery/chemotherapy.

Conclusion

The five-year breast cancer survival rate in Lagos, Nigeria 24.1% (54/224) is relatively poor compared to most countries in the world and needs to be improved. Poor survival rates are mainly attributed to late presentation and poor follow-up, hence early detection through breast cancer awareness programs, appropriate logistics and better management of patients through guidelines for the treatment of breast need to be implemented to improve survival.     

Prescriber knowledge and attitudes regarding non-administration of prescribed pharmacologic venous thromboembolism prophylaxis

Pharmacologic venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis is important patient safety practice in hospitalized patients. However, a substantial number of ordered doses are not administered. Patient and nursing attitudes and behaviors can influence whether a patient receives a dose. The objective of this single center study was to evaluate prescriber knowledge and attitudes regarding missed doses of pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis. An anonymous, 9-question survey was administered to internal medicine and general surgery resident physicians. The survey captured prescriber opinions on issues related to non-administration of VTE prophylaxis. Thirty-two percent of medicine residents compared with 3 % of surgery residents felt pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis was not necessary in an independently ambulating patient (P < 0.001). Medicine residents were more likely to agree that it is appropriate for nurses to make clinical decisions to determine whether a dose of pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis should be administered to a patient (24 vs. 0 %, P < 0.001). Study findings indicate the need for additional resident physician education. Further investigation is needed to assess these beliefs and ensure patients receive necessary VTE prophylaxis.     

Small bowel obstruction: review of nine years of experience

Strong evidence in the literature suggests that improvements in the management and outcome of small bowel obstruction result from early diagnosis, better fluid and electrolyte replacement, use of antibiotics, and early surgical intervention. This paper reviews the outcomes of 49 male and 31 female patients who were operated on for small bowel obstruction. The average age was 38 years (range, 3 to 87 years); the average hospital stay was 13 days. There was one death. The causes of obstruction included postoperative adhesions (78 percent), strangulated external hernia (11 percent), gangrenous bowel (4 percent), intussusception (2.5 percent), appendiceal mass (3.5 percent), and Meckel''s diverticulum (1 percent). The outcome was worse with late presentation, perforation or gangrene of the bowel, and delayed surgery.     

Tobacco Use Among Undergraduates in South-Western Nigeria: a Cross-Sectional Study

International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction - Tobacco use in tertiary institutions has continued to receive increased attention, especially in developing countries. This is not unconnected...     

Metastatic alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma to the breast: a case report

OBJECTIVE: To present the unusual occurrence of a Metastatic Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma to the right breast in a young woman, six years after the primary in the right thigh had been surgically excised and treated. A search of the literature from this part of the world showed that this is quite rare as no report of a similar case was found. METHODOLOGY: Breast lumpectomy samples submitted were routinely processed to obtain paraffin sections which were then stained routinely with haematoxylin and eosin. Reticulin stain and immunohistochemistry were used to exclude an epithelial lesion. CONCLUSION: Metastatic Rhabdomyosarcoma to the breast is a rare condition and is almost exclusive to adolescent females. Routine breast examinations should be mandatory for long term female survivors of primary Rhabdomyosarcomas.