Decompensated cirrhosis-related admissions in a large urban hospital in Uganda: prevalence,clinical and laboratory features and implications for planning patient management

Background

Cirrhosis-related complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in areas where its risk factors are endemic.

Objective

We determined the prevalence of decompensated cirrhosis among patients on the gastroenterology service of Mulago Hospital and described the clinical and laboratory features of these patients.

Methods

All patients admitted to the unit were assessed and their diagnosis documented. Patients with cirrhosis had clinical features of decompensation recorded. History of alcohol consumption was taken and testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) performed.

Results

Between September 2010 and January 2011, we enrolled 482 patients. The majority (53.7%) were male, overall median age 38 years. Decompensated cirrhosis was diagnosed in 85 (17.6%) patients. Of the 85 patients, 47 (55.3%) gave a history of alcohol intake, HBsAg was positive in 23 (27.1%) and anti-HCV in 3 (3.5%). Decompensation was defined by ascites among 81 (95.3%) patients, variceal bleeding in 31 (36.5%), encephalopathy in 20 (23.5%).

Conclusion

Cirrhosis is common in Mulago hospital presenting mainly with ascites and variceal bleeding. Aside from controlling causes of liver diseases, especially alcohol and hepatitis B virus infection, in the interim it is necessary to manage complications in patients who already have cirrhosis.     

Role of fine‐needle aspiration cytology and fluid cytology in extra‐pulmonary tuberculosis

Extra‐pulmonary tuberculosis is the presence of disease in an organ without obvious involvement of the lungs (World Health Organization, Tuberculosis Fact sheet, 2006). The present article focuses on the incidence of extra‐pulmonary tuberculosis as an emerging and clinically significant disease to be reckoned with in the present era. It also highlights fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) as an inexpensive, less invasive procedure for early diagnosis of such tuberculosis and timely initiation of specific therapy. All cases of proved tuberculosis presenting to the M.V.J. Medical College and Research Hospital were recorded over a period of two years (2008–2010); and categorized as pulmonary and extra‐pulmonary cases. A total of 96 cases of tuberculosis were observed; extra‐pulmonary tuberculosis was seen in 64 cases. Of these 56 cases were from lymphnodes and 8 from extra‐nodal sites which included tuberculous dactylitis (two cases), tuberculous mastitis (two cases), tuberculous synovial effusion (one case), pericardial effusion (one case), epididymo‐orchitis (one case), and cold abscess (one case). The cytology patterns observed included granulomatous inflammation and necrosis with or without acid fast bacilli. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Parental Feeding Practices and Child-Related Factors are Associated with Overweight and Obesity in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - Atypical eating behaviors displayed by children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) predispose them to unhealthy weight gain. We determined the...     

Facteurs associés aux perdus de vue des patients sous traitement antirétroviral dans un centre de traitement ambulatoire du VIH à Conakry,Guinée

Background

Late or inadequate therapeutic management increases the risk of mortality associated with HIV/AIDS. The aim of this study was to analyze the proportion and factors associated with loss of follow-up in HIV patients who receiving antiretroviral therapy at Conakry.