Prevalence and correlates of ADHD in individuals with substance use disorder in Nigeria.

Substance use disorder (SUD) is associated with ADHD. ADHD increases the severity of SUD and has negative influence on the prognosis of the disorder. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and correlates of ADHD in individuals with SUD. During 2013-2015, a cross-sectional descriptive study of 233 drug treatment-seeking individuals was assessed. Diagnosis of ADHD was done using DSM-IV criteria with the Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults (DIVA 2.0), while Semi-structured Assessment for Drug Dependence and Alcoholism (SSADDA 6.1) and Adult ADHD Quality of Life (AAQoL) were used for diagnosis of substance use disorder and assessment of QoL, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors that were associated with ADHD. The prevalence of ADHD in SUD patients was 21.5%, with the combined subtype being the most prevalent. SUD patient with ADHD had more history of severe dependence on cigarette, depression, suicidal ideation, aggression, dependence on benzodiazepine and heroin, number of relapses, poor QoL and number of hospitalization. After logistic regression, only the number of relapses (p = 0.004), history of aggression (<0.001) and poor QoL differentiated between SUD patients with ADHD from those with no diagnosis of ADHD. The prevalence of ADHD in SUD individuals is high and may be associated with a more severe phenotypic expression of SUD.

Primary stroke prevention in Nigerian children with sickle cell disease (SPIN): challenges of conducting a feasibility trial.

BACKGROUND: The majority of children with sickle cell disease (SCD), approximately 75%, are born in sub-Saharan Africa. For children with elevated transcranial Doppler (TCD) velocity, regular blood transfusion therapy for primary stroke prevention is standard care in high income countries, but is not feasible in sub-Saharan Africa. PROCEDURE: In the first U.S. National Institute of Health (NIH) sponsored SCD clinical trial in sub-Saharan Africa, we describe the protocol and challenges unique to starting a clinical trial in this region. We are conducting a single arm pilot trial of hydroxyurea therapy in children with TCD velocity ≥200 cm/sec in the middle cerebral arteries. Eligible children will be placed on hydroxyurea (n = 40) and followed for 3 years at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Adherence will be measured via the Morisky Scale and adverse events will be determined based on hospitalization. RESULTS: Originally, a randomized placebo trial was planned; however, placebo was not approved by the local Ethics Committee. Hence a single arm trial of hydroxyurea will be conducted and five controls per patient with normal TCD measurements will be followed to compare the rate of adverse events to those with abnormal TCD measurements taking hydroxyurea. Using non-NIH funding, over 9 months, multiple face-to-face investigator meetings were conducted to facilitate training. CONCLUSION: A hydroxyurea trial (NCT01801423) for children with SCD is feasible in sub-Saharan Africa; however, extensive training and resources are needed to build a global patient oriented multi-disciplinary research team with a common purpose.