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INTRODUCTION: Chronic venous disease is a global public health problem, with high morbidity and economic distress. There is scarcity of data on this disease in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS: We conducted the first population-based study over a period of 20 months from 1st February 2020 to 30th September 2021 in the 10 regions of Cameroon. A stratify sampling method was chose to select study site. Socio-demographic data, personal and family history, anthropometric parameters, clinical signs, illustrative images, CEAP (Clinical-Etiological-Anatomical-Pathophysiological) classification revised in 2004, VCSS (venous Clinical Severity Score) and risk factor assessment score were used to construct the survey form. Chi-squared test and Fischer exact test were used to compare the prevalence of chronic venous disease across different potential risk factors (sex, age category, previous history of deep vein thrombosis, hypertension, diabetes, smoking status, obesity). Simple and multiple logistic regression models were used to obtain crude and adjusted odds ratio for risk factors associated with chronic venous insufficiency. Statistical analyses were done with R version 4.2 for Linux and the threshold for statistical significance was 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 6578 participants were included in the study, with a mean age of 41.09 ± 16.02 years with female predominance (54.3%). The prevalence of chronic venous disease was 21.8% (95% CI: 20.8-22.9) and the prevalence of chronic venous insufficiency (C3-C6) was 7.02% (n = 462). Night cramps (43.2%), oedema (21.7%), lower limbs pain (20.4%) mostly worsens by walking and heavy legs (16.2%) were more common symptoms. The mean total venous clinical severity score was 0.69 ± 1.76 and this score had a significant positive correlation with C classification (p < .001). In the multivariate analysis, the following factors were independently associated with CVD: Male gender (aOR: 1.27; 95%CI: 1.04-1.56; p = .021), retired people (aOR: 46.9; 95% CI: 12.6-174.5; p < .001), hypertension (aOR: 289.5; 95%CI: 169.69-493.1; p < .001), diabetes (aOR: 2.19; 95% CI: 1.21-3.96; p = .009), obesity (aOR: 10.22; 95%CI: 7.67-13.62; p < .001). Smoking appears as a protective factor (aOR: 0.18; 95%CI: 0.10-0.30; p < .001). CONCLUSION: Chronic venous disease is frequent in Cameroon and main traditional cardiovascular risk factors are associated to this condition. Systematic screening of the CVD in these specific groups could reduce the burden of the disease and its economic impact.
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Diabetes Mellitus , Hipertensão , Insuficiência Venosa , Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Adulto , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prevalência , Camarões/epidemiologia , Fatores de Risco , Insuficiência Venosa/epidemiologia , Insuficiência Venosa/diagnóstico , Obesidade/epidemiologia , Doença CrônicaRESUMO
Introduction: carotid and femoral intima-media thickness (IMT) and atherosclerotic plaques are considered as markers of generalized atherosclerosis and as independent predictors of cardiovascular events and mortality. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates between carotid and femoral intima-media thickness and plaques in patients with major cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs). Methods: we carried out a cross-sectional study at the Yaoundé Central Hospital between December 2017 and May 2018. B-mode ultrasound was used to assess for the presence of plaques and also measure the IMT at the carotid and femoral arteries in patients with CVRFs. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between ultrasound findings (presence of plaques or IMT > 0.9mm) and cardiovascular risk factors. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: amongst the 71 patients, 43.7% were male and 56.3% were female. The mean age was 61.6 ± 8.4 years and ranged from 40 to 75 years. Thirty-nine (54.9%) participants had carotid atherosclerotic plaques and 33 (46.5%) participants had femoral artery plaques. The plaque burden was higher in the carotid arteries. Plaques at one or more artery sites were seen in 67.6% of participants. An IMT ≥ 0.9 mm was seen in only 1.4 to 2.8% of participants. In the multivariable analysis using binary logistic regression, age > 50 years (males) or 60 years (females) (aOR: 11.3 [95% CI: 2.2 - 56.8], p=0.002) and presence of dyslipidemia (aOR: 3.6 [95% CI: 1.2 - 11], p=0.043) were associated with carotid artery plaques, while presence of dyslipidemia (aOR: 4.8 [95% CI1.8 - 13.3], p=0.004) and high cardiovascular risk profile (10-year risk> 20%) (aOR: 4.2 [95% CI: 1.2 - 13.2], p=0.0495) were associated with femoral artery plaques. Conclusion: plaques were more frequent than an IMT > 0.9 mm, with a higher plaque burden in the carotid arteries. Plaques were associated with advanced age, dyslipidemia, and a high cardiovascular risk profile.
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Doenças Cardiovasculares , Doenças das Artérias Carótidas , Placa Aterosclerótica , Adulto , Idoso , Camarões/epidemiologia , Doenças Cardiovasculares/epidemiologia , Doenças Cardiovasculares/etiologia , Artérias Carótidas/diagnóstico por imagem , Doenças das Artérias Carótidas/diagnóstico por imagem , Doenças das Artérias Carótidas/epidemiologia , Espessura Intima-Media Carotídea , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Fatores de Risco de Doenças Cardíacas , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Placa Aterosclerótica/diagnóstico por imagem , Placa Aterosclerótica/epidemiologia , Prevalência , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
Some severe life-threatening conditions could be misdiagnosed during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
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Strict monitoring of the heart rhythm in patients with COVID-19 even nonsevere case and patient with low cardiovascular risk factors is very important to prevent fatal outcomes.
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Currently, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the priority of the global health agenda. Since the first case was reported in Wuhan, China, this infection has continued to spread and has been considered as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) within 3 months of its outbreak. Several studies have been done to better understand the pathogenesis and clinical aspects of the disease. It appears that COVID-19 affects almost all body organs due to the direct effect of the virus and its induced widespread inflammatory response. This multi-systemic aspect of the disease has to be inculcated in COVID-19 management by health providers to improve patient outcomes. This strategy could help curb the burden of the disease especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like most African countries where the pandemic is at an "embryonic" stage.
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COVID-19 pandemic is an emergent cardiovascular risk factor and a major cause of mortality worldwide. Thromboembolism is highly suspected as a leading cause of death in these patients through vascular inflammation caused by SARS COV2. Until now there is no real treatment of COVID-19 and many proposed drugs are under clinical trials. Considering the high incidence of thromboembolic events in critically ill patients with COVID-19, prevention of this disorder should be essential in order to reduce mortality in these patients.
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Betacoronavirus , Infecções por Coronavirus/complicações , Infecções por Coronavirus/epidemiologia , Pandemias , Pneumonia Viral/complicações , Pneumonia Viral/epidemiologia , Tromboembolia/terapia , COVID-19 , Infecções por Coronavirus/transmissão , Humanos , Incidência , Pneumonia Viral/transmissão , SARS-CoV-2 , Tromboembolia/epidemiologia , Tromboembolia/etiologia , Tromboembolia/prevenção & controleRESUMO
COVID-19 pandemic is an emergent cardiovascular risk factor and a major cause of mortality worldwide. Thromboembolism is highly suspected as a leading cause of death in these patients through vascular inflammation caused by SARS COV2. Until now there is no real treatment of COVID-19 and many proposed drugs are under clinical trials. Considering the high incidence of thromboembolic events in critically ill patients with COVID-19, prevention of this disorder should be essential in order to reduce mortality in these patients.
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Betacoronavirus , Doenças Cardiovasculares/diagnóstico , Infecções por Coronavirus/mortalidade , Países em Desenvolvimento , Pandemias , Pneumonia Viral/mortalidade , COVID-19 , Doenças Cardiovasculares/mortalidade , Infecções por Coronavirus/epidemiologia , Humanos , Pneumonia Viral/epidemiologia , Fatores de Risco , SARS-CoV-2 , Avaliação de SintomasAssuntos
COVID-19/prevenção & controle , Atenção à Saúde/organização & administração , Assistência Odontológica/organização & administração , África Subsaariana , COVID-19/transmissão , Atenção à Saúde/normas , Assistência Odontológica/normas , Odontologia/organização & administração , Odontologia/normas , Humanos , Saúde BucalRESUMO
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an unprecedented pandemic. COVID-19 is a highly contagious and potentially fatal respiratory infection which has spread within three months of its outbreak to more than 173 countries, causing 3.7 million infections and 256,551 deaths at this writing. Unfortunately, no treatment or vaccine currently exists for COVID-19, although several clinical trials are on-going to find a definite solution to this pandemic. Prevention through public health measures remain the best strategy recommended till date. This prevention involves physical distancing and compulsory confinement at home in several European countries, in the UK and USA. Unfortunately, home confinement decreed in most high-income countries like France has been dangerous for women, victims of psychological, physical and sexual violence from their intimate partner. Violence between intimate partners has become an unintended consequence of the stay-at-home policy against COVID-19. Since the promulgation of a home confinement decreed in many high resource settings (USA, UK, Europe, Canada, Australia, etc), the rate of violence between intimate partners has increased tremendously resulting to the worst scenario, women's death in some of these countries. The stay-at-home law is not yet a national decree in several low resource settings like Africa, where COVID-19 has not been declared an epidemic in several countries. However, intimate partner violence has been reportedly described as a real violation of women's right before the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic in the African continent. This commentary highlights the effects of intimate partner violence due to COVID-19 confinement in France and extrapolates what may be the effect of an implementation of a COVID-19 confinement law in Cameroon. Also, the authors suggest recommendations to lessen the burden of intimate partner violence in countries with a stay-at-home policy.
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COVID-19 , Política de Saúde , Violência por Parceiro Íntimo/estatística & dados numéricos , Quarentena , Camarões/epidemiologia , França/epidemiologia , Humanos , Saúde PúblicaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Septic shock is a life-threatening infection frequently responsible for hospital admissions or may be acquired as nosocomial infection in hospitalized patients with resultant significant morbidity and mortality . There is a dearth of data on a résumé and meta-analysis on the global epidemiology of this potentially deadly condition. Therefore, we propose the first systematic review to synthesize existing data on the global incidence, prevalence and case fatality rate of septic shock worldwide. METHODS: We will include cross-sectional, case-control and cohort studies reporting on the incidence, and case fatality rate of septic shock. Electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, WHO Global Health Library and Web of Science will be searched for relevant records published between 1 January 2000 and 31 August 2019. Independents reviewers will perform study selection and data extraction, as well as assessment of methodological quality of included studies. Appropriate meta-analysis will then be used to pool studies judged to be clinically homogenous. Egger's test and funnel plots will be used to detect publication bias. Findings will be reported and compared by human development level of countries. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Being a review, ethical approval is not required as it was obtained in the primary study which will make up the review. This review is expected to provide relevant data to help in evaluating the burden of septic shock in the general population. The overall findings of this research will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42019129783.
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Choque Séptico/epidemiologia , Adulto , Criança , Consenso , Humanos , Incidência , Metanálise como Assunto , Prevalência , Projetos de Pesquisa , Choque Séptico/mortalidade , Revisões Sistemáticas como AssuntoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Hypercalcemia and aplastic anemia are two uncommon presentations of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that potentially worsen the disease prognosis. Although hypercalcemia has been reported in the B-cell subtypes and some T-cell subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, it has not been described in T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. The same applies to aplastic anemia, which is also not described in T-type lymphomas. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 52-year-old Cameroonian man with acute kidney injury who presented with confusion, abdominal pain, constipation, polyuria, polydipsia, calciphylaxis, enlarged lymph nodes, tachycardia, and a blood pressure of 170/88 mmHg. Laboratory investigations revealed hypercalcemia (total/ionized 199.5/101.75 mg/L), normal serum phosphorus (40.20 mg/L), and a low intact parathyroid hormone (9.70 pg/ml). Complete blood count revealed pancytopenia. Peripheral blood smear confirmed thrombocytopenia but showed neither blasts nor flower cells. Bone marrow aspirate revealed hypocellularity with no blasts or fibrosis. Lymph node biopsy was suggestive of T-cell precursor lymphoma. T-lymphoblastic lymphoma presenting with hypercalcemic crisis and aplastic anemia was diagnosed, and the patient received the cyclophosphamide-doxorubicin-vincristine-prednisone protocol of chemotherapy together with filgrastim and whole-blood transfusion for aplastic anemia. The short-term outcome was fatal, however. CONCLUSIONS: Severe hypercalcemia and aplastic anemia are potential paraneoplastic syndromes of adult T-type lymphoblastic lymphoma, with fatal short-term outcome.
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Anemia Aplástica/etiologia , Hipercalcemia/etiologia , Leucemia-Linfoma Linfoblástico de Células T Precursoras/diagnóstico , Evolução Fatal , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Síndromes Paraneoplásicas/diagnósticoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The coexistence of neuromeningeal cryptococcosis and Kaposi's sarcoma is not surprising in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection and a low CD4 count, although it is rarely described. However, we describe such an association in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection and a relatively high CD4 count. CASE PRESENTATION: A 41-year old Cameroonian woman presented to our hospital with subacute occipital headaches associated with photophobia, blurred vision, phonophobia, projectile vomiting, and tonic seizures. In her past history, there was an human immunodeficiency virus infection known for 12 years, for which she had been taking (with good compliance) tenofovir-lamivudine-efavirenz-based antiretroviral therapy for the same period of time. One month before the consultation, gastric Kaposi's sarcoma had been diagnosed, justifying the treatment with doxorubicin she had received. A clinical examination was unremarkable. A computed tomography scan of her brain was normal, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed Cryptococcus neoformans. Her CD4 count was 353/mm3. Orally administered antifungal treatment with fluconazole (1200 mg/day) and flucytosine (1500 mg × 4/day) was started immediately, but she died on the sixth day of this treatment. CONCLUSION: This clinical case shows that the coexistence of neuromeningeal cryptococcosis and gastric Kaposi's sarcoma is possible in all patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection, regardless of CD4 count.
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Infecções por HIV/complicações , Meningite Criptocócica/etiologia , Sarcoma de Kaposi/etiologia , Neoplasias Gástricas/etiologia , Adulto , Contagem de Linfócito CD4 , Feminino , HumanosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Globally, sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common haemoglobinopathy. Considered a public health problem, it leads to vessel occlusion, blood stasis and chronic activation of the coagulation system responsible for vaso-occlussive crises and venous thromboembolism (VTE) which may be fatal. Although contemporary observational studies suggest a relationship between SCD or sickle trait (SCT) and VTE, there is lack of a summary or meta-analysis data on this possible correlation. Hence, we propose to summarize the available evidence on the association between SCD, SCT and VTE including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). METHODS: We searched PubMed and Scopus to identify all cross-sectional, cohort and case-control studies reporting on the association between SCD or SCT and VTE, DVT or PE in adults or children from inception to April 25, 2017. For measuring association between SCD or SCT and VTE, DVT, or PE, a meta-analysis using the random-effects method was performed to pool weighted odds ratios (OR) of risk estimates. RESULTS: From 313 records initially identified from bibliographic databases, 10 studies were eligible and therefore included the meta-analysis. SCD patients had significantly higher risk for VTE (pooled OR 4.4, 95%CI 2.6-7.5, p < 0.001), DVT (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.1-1.2, p < 0.001) and PE (pooled OR 3.7, 95% CI 3.6-3.8, p < 0.001) as compared to non SCD-adults. A higher risk of VTE (OR 33.2, 95% CI 9.7-113.4, p < 0.001) and DVT (OR 30.7, 95% CI 1.6-578.2, p = 0.02) was found in pregnant or postpartum women with SCD as compared to their counterparts without SCD. Compared to adults with SCT, the risk of VTE was higher in adults with SCD (pooled OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.8-5.3, p < 0.001), and specifically in SCD pregnant or postpartum women (OR 20.3, 95% CI 4.1-102, p = 0.0003). The risk of PE was also higher in adults with SCD (OR 3.1, 95% CCI 1.7-5.9, p = 0.0004) as compared to those with SCT. The risk of VTE was higher in individuals with SCT compared to controls (pooled OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3-2.2, p < 0.0001), but not in pregnant or postpartum women (OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.3-2.9, p = 0.863). Compared to controls, SCT was associated with a higher risk of PE (pooled OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2-3.8, p = 0.012) but not of DVT (pooled OR 1.2, 95% CI 0.9-1.7, p = 0.157). CONCLUSION: Individuals with SCD, especially pregnant or postpartum women, might have a higher risk of VTE compared to the general population. SCT might also increases the risk of VTE. However, currently available data are not sufficient to allow a definite conclusion. Further larger studies are needed to provide a definitive conclusion on the association between SCD, SCT and VTE.
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Mortality rate among critically ill patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit is high, particularly in low-income countries (LIC). Many scores have been developed to predict these fatal outcomes. In LIC, the applicability of scoring systems is precluded by the unavailability of resources to compile all the parameters of these scores. Herein, we highlight the advantages of two models: the Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) and the Rapid Emergency Medical Score (REMS). The REMS and the MEWS have the advantage of being accurate, simple, inexpensive, and practical for LIC.
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BACKGROUND: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a life-threatening condition common after major surgery. Although the high incidence (0.3-30%) and mortality rate (16.9-31%) of PE in patients undergoing major surgical procedures is apparent from findings of contemporary observational studies, there is a lack of a summary and meta-analysis data on the epidemiology of postoperative PE in this same regard. Hence, we propose to conduct the first systematic review to summarise existing data on the global incidence, determinants and case fatality rate of PE following major surgery. METHODS: Electronic databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS, WHO global health library (including LILACS), Web of Science and Google scholar from inception to April 30, 2017, will be searched for cohort studies reporting on the incidence, determinants and case fatality rate of PE occurring after major surgery. Data from grey literature will also be assessed. Two investigators will independently perform study selection and data extraction. Included studies will be evaluated for risk of bias. Appropriate meta-analytic methods will be used to pool incidence and case fatality rate estimates from studies with identical features, globally and by subgroups of major surgical procedures. Random-effects and risk ratio with 95% confidence interval will be used to summarise determinants and predictors of mortality of PE in patients undergoing major surgery. DISCUSSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis will provide the most up-to-date epidemiology of PE in patients undergoing major surgery to inform health authorities and identify further research topics based on the remaining knowledge gaps. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42017065126.
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Saúde Global , Complicações Pós-Operatórias , Embolia Pulmonar/epidemiologia , Embolia Pulmonar/mortalidade , Humanos , Incidência , Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Operatórios , Revisões Sistemáticas como AssuntoRESUMO
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Vaginal breech delivery (VBD) is known to be associated with more perinatal and maternal complications. Very few studies on the subject have been carried out in poor-resource settings. The aim of this study was to determine maternal and neonatal outcomes in carefully selected cases of VBD for singleton term pregnancies in a tertiary centre in Cameroon. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. SETTING: A tertiary hospital in Yaounde, Cameroon. PARTICIPANTS: Cases of VBD of newborns weighing 2500-3500 g were matched in a ratio of 1:4 to consecutive vaginal cephalic deliveries (VCDs) of newborns weighing 2500-3500 g over a 5-year period. Both groups were matched for maternal age and parity. We excluded cases of multiple gestations, footling breech, clinically inadequate maternal pelvis, preterm delivery, post-term pregnancies, fetal demise prior to the onset of labour, placenta praevia and fetal anomaly incompatible with vaginal delivery. OUTCOME MEASURES: Neonatal and maternal adverse outcomes of VBD observed till 6 weeks after delivery analysed using Bonferroni correction. RESULTS: Fifty-three (53) VBDs were matched against 212 VCD. Unlike women who had VCD, those who underwent VBD were more likely to have prolonged labour (OR 8.05; 95% CI 3.00 to 11.47; P<0.001), and their newborns were more likely to suffer from birth asphyxia (OR 10.24; 95% CI 4.92 to 21.31; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The study infers a strong association between VBD of singleton term pregnancies and maternofetal morbidity when specific protocols are applied. This, however, failed to translate into higher differences in perinatal mortality. This finding does not discount the role of VBD in low-income countries, but we emphasise the need for specific precautions like close monitoring of labour and adequate anticipation for neonatal resuscitation in order to reduce these complications.
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Apresentação Pélvica , Parto Obstétrico/estatística & dados numéricos , Adolescente , Adulto , Asfixia Neonatal/etiologia , Traumatismos do Nascimento/etiologia , Camarões , Feminino , Humanos , Recém-Nascido , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Razão de Chances , Gravidez , Estudos Retrospectivos , Adulto JovemRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is among the three major causes of cardiovascular diseases worldwide after ischaemic heart disease and stroke. Knowledge on the global epidemiology of this condition is deficient in Africa. Accurate data are needed to evaluate the burden of VTE in Africa to design effective preventive and treatment strategies. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to summarise epidemiological data on VTE in Africa and to evaluate the use of prophylaxis in African patients at risk of VTE. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Medline, Embase, Scopus and African Journal Online will be searched for relevant abstracts of studies published between 1 January 1986 and 5 December 2016, without language restriction. After a screening of abstracts, study selection, data extraction and assessment of the risk of bias, we shall assess studies individually for clinical and statistical heterogeneity. Appropriate meta-analytic technics will then be used to pool studies judged to be clinically homogeneous. Funnel-plots analysis and Egger's test will be used to detect publication bias. Results will be presented by geographical region (Central, Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Africa). This systematic review will be reported according to the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology Guidelines. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The current study will be based on published data, and thus ethics consideration is not required. This review is expected to provide relevant data to help in quantifying the magnitude of this disease in Africa. The final report of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and the findings will be submitted to relevant health authorities. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: The protocol for this review has been published in the International Prospective Register of systematic reviews (http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO), registration number: PROSPERO CRD42017056253.
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Tromboembolia Venosa/epidemiologia , África/epidemiologia , Humanos , Projetos de PesquisaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is a clinical condition of multifactorial etiologies and it is associated with several adverse outcomes. In high-income countries, malnutrition has been described as a determinant of delayed wound healing, surgical site infections and mortality in the postoperative period. There is limited information available regarding the outcome of surgery in malnourished patients in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS: A cross-sectional analytic study was carried out between March and August 2014 in the visceral surgery and the emergency departments of the Yaounde Central Hospital in Cameroon. All consecutive consenting preoperative and postoperative patients of abdominal surgical procedures were enrolled. Variables studied were: socio-demographic characteristics, medical and surgical past histories, nutritional survey, anthropometric parameters and serum albumin level in order to determine the nutritional risk index (or Buzby score). RESULTS: A total of 85 patients aged from 19 to 50 years with mean age of 34.4 ± 8 years were included. The most performed abdominal surgical procedure was appendectomy (30.6%). The prevalence of preoperative malnutrition according to the Buzby score was 39.1%. Mean postoperative weight lost was 2.9 ± 1.2 kg and mean decrease in postoperative serum albumin was 4.2 ± 0.2 g. A normal postoperative serum albumin was associated with a favorable outcome [OR (95% CI) = 55 (13.4-224.3), p < 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of malnutrition is high in our visceral surgery and emergency departments; this is associated with an increased risk of adverse early postoperative outcomes. Overall, our results emphasize the need of optimizing perioperative care through routine nutritional assessment and management of surgical patients in Cameroon.