Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Adults - Experience and Challenges in Gastroenterology Practices in Calabar, South-South Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that is reported to be rare in Africans. The objective of this study is to share the experience of our Gastroenterology practice in Calabar, Cross River State on IBD. METHODS: This is a ten-year review of the records of patients visiting the Gastroenterology clinic of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital and two private gastroenterology clinics in Calabar Municipality. The diagnosis of IBD was made based on clinical, laboratory, endoscopic, and histological data obtained. RESULTS: Eight patients presented with features consistent with IBD. Six had ulcerative colitis while 2 had Crohn's disease. Seven patients had moderate disease with the main clinical features being recurrent mucoid bloody diarrhoea. All the patients had treatments with either sulphasalazine or mesalazine as well as azathioprine, steroids and antibiotics with variable response. One patient had strictures requiring a colostomy, while another developed colorectal cancer as complications of IBD. CONCLUSION: Although IBD is uncommon in Nigeria, a high index of suspicion is important, especially in patients presenting with the recurrent passage of mucoid bloody stools. Hence, the role of colonoscopy and histology are invaluable in establishing the diagnosis.

FONDEMENT: La maladie inflammatoire de l'intestin (MII) est un trouble inflammatoire chronique du tractus gastro-intestinal qui est rapporté comme étant rare chez les Africains. L'objectif de cette étude est de partager l'expérience de notre pratique en gastroentérologie à Calabar, dans l'État de Cross River, sur la MII. MÉTHODES: Il s'agit d'une revue de dix ans des dossiers des patients fréquentant la clinique de gastro-entérologie de l'Hôpital universitaire de Calabar et de deux cliniques privées de gastroentérologie dans la municipalité de Calabar. Le diagnostic de MII a été posé sur la base de données cliniques, biologiques, endoscopiques et histologiques obtenues. RÉSULTATS: Huit patients présentaient des caractéristiques compatibles avec la MII. Six présentaient une colite ulcéreuse tandis que 2 présentaient une maladie de Crohn. Sept patients avaient une maladie modérée avec comme principale caractéristique clinique des diarrhées muqueuses sanglantes récurrentes. Tous les patients ont été traités soit avec de la sulfasalazine soit avec de la mésalazine ainsi que de l'azathioprine, des stéroïdes et des antibiotiques avec une réponse variable. Un patient avait des sténoses nécessitant une colostomie, tandis qu'un autre développait un cancer colorectal comme complications de la MII. CONCLUSION: Bien que la MII soit rare au Nigeria, un indice de suspicion élevé est important, surtout chez les patients présentant un passage récurrent de selles muqueuses sanglantes. Ainsi, le rôle de la coloscopie et de l'histologie est inestimable pour établir le diagnostic. MOTS-CLÉS: Adultes, Maladie de Crohn, Maladie inflammatoire de l'intestin, Colite ulcéreuse.

Justification rate for non-obstetric hysterectomies: a study of cases in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar.

BACKGROUND: Hysterectomy is a commonly performed major, non obstetric operation. It is often the definitive treatment for several pelvic pathologies like uterine myoma, utero-vaginal prolapsed, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, cervical malignancy and uncontrollable post partum haemorhage. The use of the hysterectomy in women sometimes without disease has led to the perception that some of the indications for hysterectomy are unjustified. The aim of this study is to determine the justification rate for the procedure in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of hysterectomies done at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital between January 2001 and December 2005. The preoperative indication was compared with the pathologist's report after surgery. Hysterectomy was considered justified if the pathology report verified the indication for surgery or showed a significant alternative pathology. RESULTS: The indication for hysterectomy corresponded with the histopathological diagnosis in 76.7% of cases, while in 23.3% cases the indication and histopathological diagnosis did not correspond, out of these 3.3% of cases had significant alternative pathology. In this study 80% of all hysterectomies were justified while it was not justified in 20% of cases. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that guidelines aimed at reducing unnecessary hysterctomies should be put in place and implemented. This will go a long way in improving the justification rate for hysterectomies at our centre, save clients resources, improve client satisfaction and quality of care.