Elevated liver stiffness without histological evidence of liver fibrosis in rural Ugandans.

Liver fibrosis may be assessed noninvasively with transient electrography (TE). Data on the performance of TE for detecting liver fibrosis in sub-Saharan Africa are limited. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of TE by performing liver biopsies on persons with liver fibrosis indicated by TE. We enrolled HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected participants with TE scores consistent with at least minimal disease (liver stiffness measurement [LSM]≥7.1 kPa). Biopsies were performed and staged using the Ishak scoring system. A concordant result was defined using accepted thresholds for significant fibrosis by TE (LSM ≥ 9.3 kPa) and liver biopsy (Ishak score ≥ 2). We used modified Poisson regression methods to quantify the univariate and adjusted prevalence risk ratios (PRR) of the association between covariates and the concordance status of TE and liver biopsy in defining the presence of liver fibrosis. Of 131 participants with valid liver biopsy and TE data, only 5 participants (3.8%) had Ishak score ≥ 2 of whom 4 had LSM ≥ 9.3 kPa (sensitivity = 80%); of the 126 (96.2%) with Ishak score < 2, 76 had LSM < 9.3 kPa (specificity = 61%). In multivariable analysis, discordance was associated with female gender (adjPRR = 1.80, 95%CI 1.1-2.9; P = .019), herbal medicine use (adjPRR 1.64, 95% CI = 1.0-2.5; P = .022), exposure to lake or river water (adjPRR 2.05, 95% CI = 1.1-3.7; P = .016), and current smoking (adjPRR 1.72, 95%CI 1.0-2.9; P = .045). These data suggest that TE among rural Ugandans has low specificity for detection of histologically confirmed liver fibrosis. Caution should be exercised when using this tool to confirm significant liver fibrosis.

Biomass fuel as a risk factor for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The link between use of solid biomass fuel (wood, charcoal, coal, dung, and crop residues) for cooking and/or heating and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is inconclusive. OBJECTIVE: We systematically reviewed the literature and performed a meta-analysis to determine whether cooking fuel type influences esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Knowledge and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for studies investigating cooking fuel and ESCC from 2000 until March 2019. We performed random effects meta-analysis stratified by the continent, World Bank's country income classifications and fuel type and calculated pooled odds ratios and 95% CIs for the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in biomass fuel users compared with non-users. RESULTS: Our analysis included 16 studies (all case-control) with 16,189 participants (5233 cases and 10,956 controls) that compared risk of ESCC among those using nonsolid fuels and biomass fuels. We found use of biomass fuel was associated with Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with a pooled odds ratio (OR) 3.02 (95% CI 2.22, 4.11, heterogeneity (I2) = 79%). In sub-group analyses by continent, Africa (OR 3.35, 95%CI 2.34, 4.80, I2 = 73.4%) and Asia (OR 3.08, 95%CI 1.27, 7.43, I2 = 81.7%) had the highest odds of ESCC. Use of wood as fuel had the highest odds of 3.90, 95% CI 2.25, 6.77, I2 = 63.5%). No significant publication bias was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Biomass fuel is associated with increased risk of Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Biomass fuel status should be considered in the risk assessment for Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Praziquantel and Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Hepatic Schistosomiasis: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

BACKGROUND: There is a general consensus that widespread use of praziquantel in populations where schistosomiasis is endemic prevents development of hepatic schistosomiasis and its complications. However, a few studies have reported discordant findings linking praziquantel to the occurrence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in some patients with hepatic schistosomiasis and varices. OBJECTIVE: We explored if there was any causal association between recent praziquantel use (rPZQ) and upper gastrointestinal bleeding in hepatic schistosomiasis in rural Africa. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental, retrospective case-controlled study was performed. It involved adult patients with past or acute UGIB, varices, periportal fibrosis, and/or cirrhosis. Cases had acute variceal bleeding while controls did not. The outcome was the frequency of lifetime episodes of UGIB and exposure was rPZQ (received praziquantel in the last 11 months from the date of enrollment). The data analysis included 2 × 2 tables, logistic regression, and propensity-score matching. Odds ratios (ORs), average treatment effects (ATEs), and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used for inference. RESULTS: Over 6 weeks, we enrolled 19 cases with 92 lifetime episodes of UGIB, and 66 controls with 192 lifetime episodes of UGIB. Cases were more likely to experience UGIB than controls following rPZQ (92% vs. 62%; OR 7.6; 95% CI 3.4-17). Factors predictive of more lifetime episodes of UGIB at multivariable analysis included rPZQ (adjusted OR 13; 95% CI 2.9-53), relative leukocytosis (adjusted OR 26; 95% CI 7.6-89), large varices (adjusted OR 5.0; 95% CI 1.7-15), a family member with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (adjusted OR 19; 95% CI 7.4-51), advanced periportal fibrosis (adjusted OR 8.0; 95% CI 2.6-22), ascites (adjusted OR 14; 95% CI 4.3-47), and jaundice (adjusted OR 32; 95% CI 7.8-128). While the ATE following rPZQ among the treated was 0.40 (95% CI 0.33-0.48). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest the presence of a plausible causal association between recent praziquantel use and increased frequency of UGIB in our study population.

Dietary Heterocyclic Amine Intake and Risk of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Rural Uganda.

Dietary exposure to 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo [4,5-b] pyridine (PhIP) in cooked meats maybe responsible for the high burden of Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in southwestern Uganda. We conducted a pilot case-control study among 31 histologically confirmed ESCC cases and 54 age, gender, and residence matched healthy community controls sampled from the general population at the time of accrual of each case in southwestern Uganda. We collected data including smoking, alcohol consumption, diet, and scalp hair samples analyzed for normalized PhlP (adjusted per gram of melanin). We used logistic regression to determine the association of PhlP and ESCC. Overall, the mean normalized PhIP (ng/g melanin) was 44.79 (SD 148.08), higher among women compared to men (130.68 vs. 9.00, p = 0.03), lowest among healthy men [8.31 (SD 8.52) ng/g melanin] and highest among healthy women 158.39 (SD 288.75) ng/g melanin. In fully adjusted models, covariates associated with greater odds of ESCC included ever smoking 2 to 3 pack years of cigarettes (aOR 7.75 (95% CI 1.90, 31.50) and those 3 or more pack years (aOR5.82, 95%CI 1.25, 27.11), drinking 3 to 4 alcoholic drinks daily (aOR8.00, 95%CI 2.31, 27.74), and normalized PhIP above 75th percentile (8.65 ng/g of melanin) (aOR4.27, 95%CI 1.12, 16.24). In conclusion, high PhIP levels maybe associated with ESCC in a rural Uganda, a high ESCC burden setting. Further study with larger sample with a wider geographical representation is needed to validate scalp hair PhIP for assessment of ESCC risk.

Profiling lifetime episodes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding among patients from rural Sub-Saharan Africa where schistosoma mansoni is endemic.

INTRODUCTION: Severe chronic hepatic schistosomiasis is a common cause of episodes upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, there is paucity of data on clinical epidemiology of episodes of UGIB from rural Africa despite on going public health interventions to control and eliminate schistosomiasis. METHODS: Through a cross sectional study we profiled lifetime episodes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and associated factors at a rural primary health facility in sub-Saharan Africa were schistosomiasis is endemic. The main outcome was number of lifetime episodes of UGIB analyzed as count data. RESULTS: From 107 enrolled participants, 323 lifetime episodes of UGIB were reported. Fifty-seven percent experienced ≥ 2 lifetime episodes of UGIB. Ninety-four percent had severe chronic hepatic schistosomiasis and 80% esophageal varices. Alcohol use and viral hepatitis was infrequent. Eighty-eight percent were previously treated with praziquantel and 70% had a history of blood transfusion. No patient had ever had an endoscopy or treatment for prevention of recurrent variceal bleeding. Multivariable analysis identified a cluster of eight clinical factor variables (age ≥ 40, female sex, history of blood transfusion, abdominal collaterals, esophageal varices, pattern x periportal fibrosis, anemia, and thrombocytopenia) significantly associated (P-value < 0.05) with increased probability of experiencing two or more lifetime episodes of UGIB in our study. CONCLUSION: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a common health problem in this part of rural SSA where schistosomiasis is endemic. The clinical profile described is unique and is important for improved case management, and for future research.

A missed diagnosis or a masquerading disease: back to the basics.

A 23-year-old gravid Ugandan female at 26 weeks was admitted to the maternity ward with sweats, abdominal pain, feeling of apprehension and palpitations. A diagnosis of pre-eclampsia was made and treatment with magnesium sulphate initiated. She was later transferred to intensive care unit for monitoring and control of blood pressure. Due to her labile blood pressures despite intravenous hydralazine and metoprolol, the pregnancy was terminated. However, she continued to have labile blood pressures. Better control of blood pressure was achieved on oral prazocin and nifedipine. The patient was then transferred to floor and discharged home a few days later. An abdominal computed-tomography scan showed a solid lobulated right paravertebral mass superio-medial to the right kidney. An open adrenelectomy was performed and antihypertensives discontinued. Histopathology revealed a benign pheochromocytoma. The mother had good post-operative outcome; however the premature baby died 2 days later in the special care unit.

Diagnosis of alcohol misuse and alcoholic liver disease among patients in the medical emergency admission service of a large urban hospital in Sub-Saharan Africa; a cross sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Uganda is among the top ten consumers of alcohol worldwide though there is little data on alcohol related liver disease. We describe alcohol use, alcohol misuse, and alcoholic liver disease among adults at the emergency admission service of a large urban hospital in Uganda. METHODS: All adults who consented were prospectively evaluated for alcohol use by inquiry and alcohol misuse by the "Cutting down, Annoyance, Guilt and Eye-opener- CAGE" questionnaire. Alcohol related hepatocellular liver injury was assessed using aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels. A combination of CAGE score ≥2 and De Ritis ratio ≥2 defined alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and viral hepatitis B and C serologies were evaluated in all the patients. Descriptive and inferential statistics were generated to answer our research questions. RESULTS: Three hundred and eighty individuals consented and participated in the study. Among these, 46.8% acknowledged use of alcohol while 21% and 10% met the study definition of alcoholic misuse and alcoholic liver disease respectively. Both alcohol misuse and alcoholic liver disease was significantly associated (p-value ≤ 0.05) with male gender, region of origin, number of life time sexual partners and serum albumin below 3.5 mg/dl after univariate and multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Alcohol misuse and alcoholic liver disease is frequent in this medical emergency unit. Our study suggests a link between alcohol misuse or alcoholic liver disease and male gender, region of origin, number of sexual partners, and serum albumin below 3.5mg/dl.

Managing varices: drugs, bands, and shunts.

Drugs, bands, and shunts have all been used in the treatment of varices and variceal hemorrhage and have resulted in improved outcomes. However, the specific use of each of these therapies depends on the setting (primary or secondary prophylaxis, treatment of AVH) and on patient characteristics. The indications for each are summarized in Table 4.

Self-care beliefs and behaviors in Ugandan adults with type 2 diabetes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe illness beliefs and diabetes self-care behaviors of Ugandan adults with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: A convenience sample of 340 adults with type 2 diabetes was recruited from 2 outpatient settings in Kampala, Uganda. Participants were interviewed by a nurse about diabetes self-care behaviors; had their weight, height, and waist and hip circumference measured; and shared with the interviewer the blood glucose and blood pressure values obtained during their clinic visit. RESULTS: The majority of participants viewed diabetes as a serious, life-long condition that they had a good deal of control over; however, while 88% believed they could tell high blood glucose by the presence of symptoms, only 39% said they could detect low blood glucose by the presence of symptoms. Self-care challenges include limited access to appropriate food, diabetes medications, blood glucose testing equipment, and educational materials. Subjects reported significant negative psychosocial outcomes associated with having diabetes. Using selected indicators for metabolic syndrome, 87% had elevated blood pressure, and 67% had elevated blood glucose; 33.4% were overweight, and 18.7% were obese. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study highlight the challenges of diabetes self-care in resource-poor countries. Improving diabetes care will require systems-level interventions to provide access to basic resources as well as to social support and educational interventions.