Gender disparity and stigma experience of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection: A prospective cross-sectional study from a hospital in Nigeria.

Backgound: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected persons often suffer stigma. Stigma can come from the society or be self-induced. This study assessed the gender differences and stigma experience of patients with HBV. Methods: Prospective cross-sectional design with a qualitative element using a pretested interviewer administered questionnaire and an in-depth oral interview of HBV infected patients. Quantitative data obtained were entered into SPSS version 20 and analyzed using simple descriptive and inferential statistics, while content analysis was used for the qualitative data. Results: Total of 242 respondents answered the quantitative questionnaire. There were 142(58.7%) males and 100 (41.3%) females; age range was 18-72 years with mean (SD) of 35.4(10.7) years. Overall stigma rate was 23.1%. Stigma resulted from a positive HBsAg test, and the experience was unaffected by other markers of HBV infection. Stigma was higher in the domain of disease transmission for both single and married respondents and was particularly higher among males than females. Stigma among females affected pre-marital engagements and also caused marital disharmony among married respondents. In-depth oral interview of 23 HBV infected respondents revealed that many exhibited self-stigma, had wrong knowledge of HBV infection modes, complications, and interpretation of HBV internet information which aggravated stigma reactions. Conclusions: Stigma of HBV is high and majorly in the domain of disease transmission. It is higher in males than females. Enlightenment campaign targeting singles and married couples and HBV infection modes is advocated.

Hepatitis D virus antibodies and liver function profile among patients with chronic hepatitis B infection in Abuja, Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a satellite virus of hepatitis B virus (HBV). An estimated 5% of HBV infected individuals worldwide have HDV infection. There is paucity of studies in Nigeria on the burden of HDV infection. This study aimed at determining the prevalence rate of HDV antibodies among individuals with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection and comparing the liver function test (LFT) and disease severity among the anti-HDV positive (anti-HDV+) and anti-HDV negative (anti-HDV-) individuals. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study of 180 CHB infected individuals who were clinically evaluated and tested for HDV antibodies using the Enzyme-linked Immunoassay method. Their LFT profile and Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) were also assessed. Data were analyzed using the SPSS version 17. RESULTS: Their mean age was 35.2 ± 10.4 years. There were 150 (83.3%) and 30 (16.7%) individuals with uncomplicated and complicated CHB infection respectively. Thirty-four (18.9%) of the participants were anti-HDV+. The mean serum ALT, AST, albumin and INR of the anti-HDV+ subjects were 16.5 ± 13.8 IU/L, 26.3 ± 32.6 IU/L, 38.9 ± 7.6 g/L, and 1.2 ± 0.2 respectively. The mean values for the same parameters of the anti-HDV- subjects were 10.8 ± 9.5 IU/L, 13.4 ± 11.2 IU/L, 41.4 ± 6.0 g/L and 1.1 ± 0.2 respectively (p < 0.05). The mean CTP scores in the anti-HDV+ and anti-HDV- subjects were 6.1 ± 2.1 and 5.5 ± 1.2 respectively (p= 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Anti-HDV sero-prevalence rate was 18.9% and anti-HDV+ CHB patients had worse LFT results compared to those who were anti-HDV-.

Endoscopic management and clinical outcomes of obstructive jaundice.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed at evaluating the endoscopic management and clinical outcomes in patients with obstructive jaundice undergoing Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) within a newly established apprenticeship teaching model at an academic centre in a resource-limited setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We employed an apprenticeship-style model of ERCP training with graded responsibility, multidisciplinary group feedback and short-interval repetition. We collected sociodemographic and clinicopathologic data on consecutive patients who underwent ERCP from March 2018 to February 2020. RESULTS: A total of 177 patients were referred, of which 146 patients had an ERCP performed for obstructive jaundice and 31 excluded during the study period. The median age was 55 years, age range from 8 to 83 years. The most common referral diagnosis was pancreatic head cancer 56/146 (38.1%), followed by choledocholithiasis 29/146 (19.7%), cholangiocarcinoma 22/146 (15.0%) and gall bladder cancer 11/146 (7.5%). In all, 102 patients had a malignant indication for ERCP. The cannulation rate was 92%. The most common site for malignant biliary obstruction was proximal bile stricture in 31/102 (30.4%), followed by distal bile strictures in 30/102 (28.4%), periampullary cancer 20/102 (19.6%) and mid bile duct stricture in 9/102 (8.8%). The common benign obstructive etiology includes choledocholithiasis in 33/44 (75%) and mid duct obstruction from post-cholecystectomy bile duct injury in 3/44 (2.9%) while 2/44 (2.0%) patients had choledochal cyst. Overall complications were post-ERCP pancreatitis (8/146 patients), cholangitis (3/146 patients), stent migration and post-sphincterotomy bleeding (one patient each). Peri-procedural mortality was 5/146 (3.4%). CONCLUSION: ERCP is an effective and safe method of treatment of patients with benign and malignant biliary obstruction. The low morbidity and mortality and its immediate therapeutic benefits, together with the short duration of hospitalization, indicate that this procedure is an important asset in the management of such patients.

Insulin resistance and plasma glucose tolerance abnormalities in Nigerians with chronic liver disease.

AIMS: Glucose tolerance abnormalities are frequently observed in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). Insulin resistance (IR) has been suggested to be a major factor responsible for these abnormalities in CLD. However studies relating IR with severity of CLD are scarce in Nigeria. This study assessed insulin resistance and glucose tolerance abnormalities in CLD and their relationship with the severity of CLD in a tertiary hospital in South-West, Nigeria. METHODS: This cross sectional study involved 100 subjects with CLD. Ethical clearance was obtained and informed consent was granted by participants. Participants were interviewed using a structured proforma; physical examination and relevant investigations were performed. Insulin resistance was measured using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0 and p value of <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Mean age of the study participants was 51.9 ±â€¯11.9 years, and mean duration of CLD was 15.9 ±â€¯5.8 months. Glucose tolerance abnormalities were present in 66 subjects (66%) and increased from 16.1% in Child Pugh's class A to 90.0% in class C. HOMA-IR positively correlated with age, body mass index, serum blood glucose, duration and severity of CLD. Increasing age, presence of hepatocellular carcinoma, Child Pugh's class B and class C were associated with glucose tolerance abnormalities. CONCLUSION: Glucose tolerance abnormalities and insulin resistance were highly prevalent among chronic liver disease subjects studied and seemed to parallel the severity of CLD, determined by the Child Pugh's score.

Helicobacter pylori strains from a Nigerian cohort show divergent antibiotic resistance rates and a uniform pathogenicity profile.

Antibiotic resistance in Helicobacter pylori is a factor preventing its successful eradication. Particularly in developing countries, resistance against commonly used antibiotics is widespread. Here, we present an epidemiological study from Nigeria with 111 isolates. We analyzed the associated disease outcome, and performed a detailed characterization of these isolated strains with respect to their antibiotic susceptibility and their virulence characteristics. Furthermore, statistical analysis was performed on microbiological data as well as patient information and the results of the gastroenterological examination. We found that the variability concerning the production of virulence factors between strains was minimal, with 96.4% of isolates being CagA-positive and 92.8% producing detectable VacA levels. In addition, high frequency of bacterial resistance was observed for metronidazole (99.1%), followed by amoxicillin (33.3%), clarithromycin (14.4%) and tetracycline (4.5%). In conclusion, this study indicated that the infection rate of H. pylori infection within the cohort in the present study was surprisingly low (36.6%). Furthermore, an average gastric pathology was observed by histological grading and bacterial isolates showed a uniform pathogenicity profile while indicating divergent antibiotic resistance rates.

Hepatobiliary Ultrasonographic Abnormalities in Adult Patients with Sickle Cell Anaemia in Steady State in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is associated with structural manifestations in the hepatobiliary axis. This study aimed to investigate the hepatobiliary ultrasonographic abnormalities in adult patients with sickle cell anaemia in steady state attending the Haematology clinic of a federal tertiary health institution in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. MATERIAL/METHODS: Basic demographic data as well as right upper abdominal quadrant ultrasonography of 50 consecutive sickle cell anaemia patients were compared with those of 50 age- and sex-matched subjects with HbAA as controls. RESULTS: Each of the study groups (patients and controls) comprised of 21 (42%) males and 29 (58%) females. The age range of the patients was 18-45 years with a mean (±SD) of 27.6±7.607 years, while that of the controls was 21-43 years with a mean (±SD) of 28.0±5.079 years (p=0.746). Amongst the patients, 32 (64%) had hepatomegaly, 15 (30%) cholelithiasis and 3 (6%) biliary sludge. Fourteen (28%) of the patients had normal hepatobiliary ultrasound findings. In the control group, one (2%) person had cholelithiasis, one (2%) biliary sludge, one (2%) fatty liver and none hepatomegaly. Forty-seven (94%) of the controls had normal hepatobiliary ultrasound findings. There was a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of hepatomegaly and cholelithiasis between the patients and controls (p value <0.001 for both comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, hepatomegaly, cholelithiasis and biliary sludge were the most common hepatobiliary ultrasound findings in patients with sickle cell anaemia. Ultrasonography is a useful tool for assessing hepatobiliary abnormalities in patients with sickle cell anaemia.

Utility of serum des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma among Nigerians, a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy occurring globally but with a dismal prognosis. Des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin (DCP) has been reported to be more sensitive and specific than Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in the diagnosis of HCC among the White population. Its efficacy among the Black population is yet to be established. The aim of this study therefore, was to determine the relative sensitivity and specificity of des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin and alpha-fetoprotein in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in a cohort of Nigerian patients presenting at a single referral centre. METHODS: Cross-sectional case-control study was carried out using 62 HCC patients and 57 controls with benign liver diseases including chronic hepatitis and compensated liver cirrhosis. Both DCP and AFP were tested using enzyme immunoassay methods. RESULTS: Sixty-nine percent of the HCC patients presented with tumour sizes >5 cm while 31% presented with tumour sizes 3-5 cm. No patient presented with tumour sizes <3 cm. The sensitivity and specificity of DCP were 96.8% and 98.3% respectively, based on a Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve - derived optimum cut-off level of >140mAU/ml. Similarly, the sensitivity and specificity of AFP were 62.9% and 93.3% at an ROC - derived optimum cut-off level of 18mAU/ml. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) for DCP was 0.99 and was significantly larger than that of AFP which was 0.85 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the utility of DCP for the diagnosis of HCC among Nigerian patients was higher than that of AFP for large tumours with diameter ≥3 cm.

Knowledge of Hepatitis B Virus Infection, Immunization with Hepatitis B Vaccine, Risk Perception, and Challenges to Control Hepatitis among Hospital Workers in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital.

Background. Studies had reported high rate of hepatitis B infection among hospital workers with low participation in vaccination programmes, especially those whose work exposes them to the risk of HBV infection. The study assessed knowledge of hepatitis B virus infection, risk perception, vaccination history, and challenges to control hepatitis among health workers. Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study. Consenting health care workers completed a self-administered questionnaire that assessed respondents' general knowledge of HBV, vaccination history and HBsAg status, risk perception, and challenges to control hepatitis. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results. Three hundred and eighty-two health care workers participated in the study. There were 182 males and 200 females. The respondents comprised 94 (25%) medical doctors, 168 (44%) nurses, 68 (18%) medical laboratory technologists, and 52 (14%) pharmacists. Over 33% had poor knowledge with 35% not immunized against HBV. Predictors of good knowledge include age less than 35 years, male sex, being a medical doctor, previous HBsAg test, and complete HBV immunisation. Identified challenges to control hepatitis include lack of hospital policy (91.6%), poor orientation of newly employed health workers (75.9%), and low risk perception (74.6%). Conclusion. Hospital policy issues and low risk perception of HBV transmission have grave implications for the control of HBV infection.

Assessment of the sexual functions of males with chronic liver disease in South West Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) have been reported to have sexual dysfunction irrespective of etiology. There is little or no report from Nigeria on this disorder. This study looked at sexual dysfunction among male patients with CLD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with chronic viral hepatitis B, liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were interviewed using the international index of erectile function questionnaire. Their responses were compared with an age and sex matched healthy controls. Bio-data and body mass index were obtained for both groups and liver disease severity was graded for patients using the Child-Pugh score. Analysis was done using SPSS (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA, 2004) for frequencies and means while comparison of means was done using Student's t-test. Significance level was put at P < 0.05. RESULTS: There were 120 subjects consisting of 60 patients aged from 28 to 71 years; mean (SD) 45. 3 ± 9.4 and 60 controls aged from 29 to 79 years with mean (SD) 45.5 ± 10.1 years. Sexual dysfunctions were seen in patients with HCC and LC in the domains of sexual desire and sexual satisfaction respectively when compared with controls. When patients were divided into the various liver disease severities, patients in Child-Pugh Grade B scored low in the domain of arousal, whereas the domains of erectile functions, orgasm, resolution and satisfaction were affected in patients in Grade C when compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: Male patients with CLD have significant sexual dysfunctions when compared with controls. The dysfunctions are more pronounced in those with Grade C liver disease. Sexual concerns of CLD should be inquired of in those with advanced liver disease.

Cognitive functions in patients with liver cirrhosis: assessment using community screening interview for dementia.

INTRODUCTION: Neurocognitive dysfunction is common in patients with liver cirrhosis who have no evidence of overt hepatic encephalopathy and is usually associated with impairment of activities of daily living in the patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients with liver cirrhosis without overt hepatic encephalopathy were studied along with forty-one healthy controls. Blood samples were taken from the patients for liver function tests and Hepatitis B and C screening. Liver disease severity was graded using the Child-Pugh scoring system. Community Screening Interview for the Dementia (CSID) questionnaire was administered to all subjects. The CSID questionnaire assesses the cognitive functions of the subjects in the domains of language, memory, orientation, attention/calculation, and praxis. The data were collated and analyzed with the aid of SPSS 15.0 software for frequency, means, and comparison of means using Student's t-test and one-way ANOVA. Significant level was put at P< 0.05. RESULTS: The mean age ± SD of the patients was 46.15 ± 15.31 years and the controls was 45.66 ± 11.54 years. There were 30 males and 10 females in the patients group while the control had has 26 males and 15 females. Majority of the patients had secondary level of education. Nine out of 40 patients (23%) had abnormally low total CSID score. The patients with liver cirrhosis performed poorly in the domains of language, memory, attention/calculation, and praxis. There was no difference in the orientation scores between the patients and the normal controls. The type of Hepatitis virus infection, serum liver enzyme, serum albumin, serum bilirubin, prothrombin time and Child Pugh class of the patients did not influence cognitive performance in the patients. CONCLUSION: Patients with liver cirrhosis have significant cognitive impairment compared with controls and liver function tests/ clinical parameters in the patients did not correlate with their cognitive functions.

Cognitive function in patients with liver cirrhosis without overt hepatic encephalopathy: assessment using an automated neuropsychological test battery.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: A wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders occur in patients with liver cirrhosis without overt hepatic encephalopathy. Cognitive dysfunctions do occur and these tend to impair patients' vocational and social life as well as activities of daily living. The aim of this study is to evaluate cognitive functions in patients with liver cirrhosis without overt HE in Nigeria. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-four patients with liver cirrhosis and 41 normal subjects as control were studied. Medical history and general physical/neurological examinations were carried out on all the subjects. Blood samples were obtained for viral serological markers and liver functions tests. The 'Fepsy' automated neuropsychological test battery was performed for the assessment of auditory reaction time (psychomotor speed). Recognition memory test (memory), binary choice reaction task (psychomotor speed/attention) and vigilance task were also administered. The data were analysed with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 15.0 software. RESULTS: The mean age of patients with liver cirrhosis was 45.00 ± 13.83 years, while that of control subjects was 41.88 ± 139.49 years. The visual/auditory reaction time, binary choice reaction time and computerised visual reaction time were prolonged in patients with liver cirrhosis when compared with control subjects. However, there were differences in the recognition memory test and vigilance performances between the two groups. The patients with liver cirrhosis who had hepatitis C virus infection had poor psychomotor speed when compared with patients who were hepatitis C virus negative, but there was no statistical significant correlation between other aspects of liver function tests and cognitive functions in patients with cirrhosis. CONCLUSION: Patients with liver cirrhosis had similar cognitive functions on measures of memory and vigilance when compared with normal control subjects. However, there were significant differences in other aspects of cognitive functions between the two groups.

Chlorproguanil-dapsone-artesunate versus chlorproguanil-dapsone: a randomized, double-blind, phase III trial in African children, adolescents, and adults with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

This multi-center, randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, double-dummy study compared the efficacy and safety of chlorproguanil-dapsone-artesunate (CDA) and chlorproguanil-dapsone (CPG-DDS) in the treatment of falciparum malaria in Africa (Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria). Six hundred patients (>or= 1 year of age) received CDA 2.0/2.5/4.0 mg/kg, and 292 CPG-DDS 2.0/2.5 mg/kg, once daily for 3 days. Day 28 parasitologic cure rate (polymerase chain reaction [PCR]-corrected, per-protocol population) was 89.1% (416/467) for CDA, non-inferior but also superior to CPG-DDS, 83.0% (176/212) (treatment difference 6.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.3, 11.9). Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) genotype was available for 844/892 (95%) patients. Occurrences of a composite hemoglobin safety endpoint (hemoglobin drop >or= 40 g/L or >or= 40% versus baseline, hemoglobin < 50 g/L, or blood transfusion) were CDA 13/44 (30%), CPG-DDS 7/24 (29%) in G6PD-deficient patients versus CDA 4/448 (< 1%), CPG-DDS 6/221 (3%) in G6PD-normal patients. No deaths occurred. CDA was more efficacious than CPG-DDS. However, the hemolytic potential in G6PD-deficient patients does not support further development of CDA.

Detection of p53 codon 249 mutation in Nigerian patients with hepatocellular carcinoma using a novel evaluation of cell-free DNA.

OBJECTIVES: This case-control study was done to determine the association and prevalence of p53 codon 249 mutation using cell-free DNA in the plasma of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in South-Western Nigeria. METHOD: Eighty-five adults with HCC and seventy-seven age and gender matched controls without evidence of liver disease or malignancy involving any part of the body, were recruited. Plasma DNA was analyzed for p53 codon 249 by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Patient evaluation was done by means questionnaire interview, clinical examination, laboratory and radiological tests. The prevalence of the p53 codon 249 mutation was expressed as a percentage amplifiable DNA samples analyzed from HCC patients while that of controls was expressed in the same way. Fisher's exact test or the student t-test where appropriate were used to assess statistical significance of prevalence between both groups as well as comparison of some characteristics in the HCC cases between those who had codon 249 mutation and those who did not. Associations between the various parameters assessed were determined by odds ratio and significant difference was specified at p < 0.05. RESULTS: p53 codon 249 mutation was present in 6 (7.6%) of the 79 samples from the HCC patients with amplifiable plasma DNA while none (i.e. 0%) of the 73 samples with amplifiable plasma DNA from the controls had this mutation. This prevalence is significantly higher among HCC patients than controls (0.029). The mutation was also found to be significantly associated with HCC (odds ratio = 2.00; 95% C I: 1.70 - 2.35). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of the p53 codon 249 mutation from plasma DNA of hepatocellular carcinoma patients is significantly higher than among controls in South-Western Nigeria and the presence of this mutation is significantly associated with HCC in this region.

Antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori from patients in Ile-Ife, South-west, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori has become recognized as a major cause of gastroduodenal diseases in man. Evidence indicates that once acquired, H. pylori persists, usually for life unless eradicated by antimicrobial therapy. Over the past few years, we have accumulated some knowledge of the epidemiology of H. pylori in Ile-Ife, South-West Nigeria. In one collaborative study, we detected H. pylori in 195 (73%) patients referred for endoscopy at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC). Furthermore we have observed a variegated gastric inflammatory response and atrophy including atrophic pangastritis but are yet to demonstrate MALToma in any of our patients. In addition we have demonstrated that dental plaque is a possible source of gastric H. pylori infection and such an endogenous source could account for difficulty in eradication leading to re-infection. Presently, infected patients are treated with standard combination therapy made up of amoxycilin and ciprofloxacin with a proton pump inhibitor/bismuth. Reports however have shown that the incidence of antimicrobial resistance in Helicobacter pylori is a growing problem and which has been linked with failures in treatment and eradication. Given this situation it has become necessary to have information about the susceptibility of isolates to particular antimicrobial agents before the selection of an appropriate treatment regimen. OBJECTIVES: More recently, we sought to study antimicrobial susceptibility of locally isolated H. pylori strains. METHODS: We subjected 32 isolates to antimicrobial susceptibility testing against seven agents. RESULTS: All the isolates showed multiple acquired antimicrobial resistance as they were all resistant to amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, while 29/31, 27/31 showed resistance to rifampicin and tetracycline respectively. Five (15.6%) of these isolates showed resistance to ciprofloxacin. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that H. pylori strains isolated within our study environment have acquired resistance to all the commonly prescribed antibiotics. On the basis of the findings it would be necessary to re-evaluate the eradication treatment regime in our setting.

The prevalence of dental erosion in Nigerian patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

BACKGROUND: In various people of the Western world, gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) has been reported to be a common problem. Various studies have also assessed the relationship between GOR and dental erosion. The authors are not aware of such studies in Nigerians. It is therefore the aims of the present study to estimate the prevalence of GOR; to estimate the prevalence of dental erosion in patients with GORD; to document the oral findings in patients diagnosed with GORD and to compare these findings with previous studies elsewhere. METHODS: A total of 225 subjects comprising of 100 volunteers and 125 patients diagnosed with GORD were involved in this study. History of gastric juice regurgitation and heartburn were recorded. Oral examination to quantify loss of tooth structure was done using the tooth wear index (TWI) designed by Smith and Knight (1984). RESULTS: Twenty patients with GORD presented with dental erosion in the maxillary anterior teeth with TWI scores ranging from 1-3. The prevalence of erosion was found to be statistically significant between GORD patients (16%) and control (5%) (p < 0.05), but not significant between endoscopic diagnostic groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study supports the consideration of dental erosion as the extra-oesophageal manifestation of GORD. However the association between GORD and burning mouth sensation needs more investigation.