Survey on the Knowledge and Management of Cancer-Associated Thrombosis (CAT) in Haemato-Oncology Patients with Thrombocytopenia among Haematologists and Haematology Residents in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Arterial or venous thrombosis can complicate cancer, and 20% of cancer patients may develop venous thromboembolic disorders. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is common in some haematologic malignancies and may coexist with thrombocytopenia in those haematologic malignancies. We carried out this survey to assess the knowledge and practice of haematologists and resident doctors in haematology in Nigeria regarding the management of thrombocytopenia and cancer-associated thrombosis. METHODS: This was a survey that was shared electronically with participants who were consultant haematologists and resident doctors in haematology in Nigeria.. RESULTS: There were 106 respondents, 70 (66%) of which were consultant haematologists. About a third (30.2%) of the respondents saw 6-10 patients with blood malignancies monthly. Fifty-seven (53.8%) of the respondents carried out risk assessment in their patients for cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT); 63 (59.4%) of the respondents saw 1-2 cancer patients with thrombosis in 3 months. The most common mode of treatment was pharmacological - 94 (88%) respondents used low molecular weight heparin. The most common haematologic malignancies associated with thrombocytopenia were acute leukaemias (69; 67%). The most common decision taken by respondents was to stop anticoagulants and transfuse platelets because the most frequent concern was the risk of bleeding in this group of patients. CONCLUSION: Many haematologists and haematology residents had a high level of awareness, knowledge and good practice regarding thrombocytopenia with CAT in haematooncology patients; however, there is a need for improved knowledge and unified protocols for treatment in line with newer management guidelines.

CONTEXTE: La thrombose artérielle ou veineuse peut compliquer le cancer, et 20 % des patients cancéreux peuvent présenter des troubles thromboemboliques veineux. La thromboembolie veineuse (TEV) est fréquente dans certaines hémopathies malignes et peut coexister avec une thrombocytopénie dans ces hémopathies malignes. Nous avons mené cette enquête pour évaluer les connaissances et la pratique des hématologues et des médecins résidents en hématologie au Nigeria concernant la gestion de la thrombocytopénie et de la thrombose associée au cancer. MÉTHODES: Il s'agit d'une enquête qui a été partagée électroniquement avec les participants qui sont des hématologues consultants et des médecins résidents en hématologie au Nigéria. RÉSULTATS: 106 personnes ont répondu à l'enquête, dont 70 (66%) étaient des hématologues consultants. Environ un tiers (30,2 %) des personnes interrogées voyaient chaque mois 6 à 10 patients atteints de tumeurs hématologiques malignes. Cinquante-sept (53,8 %) des personnes interrogées ont procédé à une évaluation du risque de thrombose associée au cancer chez leurs patients ; 63 (59,4 %) des personnes interrogées ont vu 1 à 2 patients cancéreux atteints de thrombose en 3 mois. Le mode de traitement le plus courant était pharmacologique - 94 (88%) des personnes interrogées utilisaient de l'héparine de faible poids moléculaire. Les hémopathies malignes les plus fréquemment associées à la thrombocytopénie étaient les leucémies aiguës (69 ; 67%). La décision la plus fréquente prise par les personnes interrogées était d'arrêter les anticoagulants et de transfuser des plaquettes parce que la préoccupation la plus fréquente était le risque de saignement dans ce groupe de patients. CONCLUSION: De nombreux hématologues et résidents en hématologie avaient un niveau élevé de sensibilisation, de connaissances et de bonnes pratiques concernant la thrombocytopénie avec CAT chez les patients hémato-oncologiques; cependant, il est nécessaire d'améliorer les connaissances et d'unifier les protocoles de traitement conformément aux nouvelles directives de prise en charge. Mots clés: Thrombose associée au cancer, Hémato-oncologie, Thrombocytopénie, Hemorragie, Thrombose.

Evaluation of Obstetricians' Opinion of Thrombocytopenia in Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Thrombocytopenia occurs in about 8-10% of pregnancies. Thrombocytopenia may be incidental in pregnancy and could point to medical or gestational conditions that may pose a morbidity and mortality risk to both mother and foetus. AIM: To determine Obstetricians' view/opinion about thrombocytopenia in pregnancy. METHODS: A pre-tested structured questionnaire was distributed amongst consultant and resident obstetricians during their antenatal clinics in 3 tertiary hospitals over a period of one month. Analysis was descriptive and results were expressed as frequencies in words, tables and charts. RESULTS: A total of 91 responders were studied of which 24 were consultants (26.4%), 57 (62.6%) senior registrars and 10 (11%) were registrars. There were 20 (22.7%) responders who were unaware of incidental thrombocytopenia in pregnancy. Most obstetricians (n=83, 91.2%) requested for only packed cell volume (PCV) at antenatal booking, only 2 (2.9%) routinely requested for full blood count (FBC). At booking; only 10 (11.1%) obstetricians asked for a history of thrombocytopenia. Majority (n=87, 98.9%) never requested for platelet counts. If they encountered thrombocytopenia, up to 89 (97.8%) would investigate further with a repeat FBC (n=77, 86.5%), coagulation screen (n=54, 61.4%) or bone marrow aspiration (n=20, 24.7%). Most of the obstetricians (n=82, 96.5%) would transfuse patients with thrombocytopenia and 34 (43.6%) of them would do so when the count is <50 X 109/L. CONCLUSION: Obstetricians have the capacity to investigate symptomatic thrombocytopenia in pregnancy but do not routinely screen for asymptomatic thrombocytopenia. Routine FBC if done at booking may identify missed cases of asymptomatic thrombo-cytopenia for adequate management.

CONTEXTE: La thrombocytopénie survient dans environ 8 à 10 % des grossesses. La thrombocytopénie peut être fortuite pendant la grossesse et peut indiquer une condition médicale ou gestationnelle qui peuvent poser un risque de morbidité et de mortalité pour la mère et le fœtus. OBJECTIF: Déterminer le point de vue/opinion des obstétriciens concernant la thrombocytopénie pendant la grossesse. MÉTHODES: Un questionnaire structuré et pré-testé a été distribué parmi les obstétriciens consultants et résidents lors de leurs consultations prénatales dans trois hôpitaux tertiaires sur une période d'un mois. L'analyse descriptive et les résultats ont été exprimés sous forme de fréquences en mots, tableaux et graphiques. RÉSULTATS: Au total, 91 répondants ont été étudiés, dont 24 étaient Les conseillers(26,4 %), 57 (62,6 %) des chefs de clinique et 10 (11 %) des titulaires. Il y' avait Vingt (22,7 %) des répondants n'étaient pas au courant de la présence de thrombocytopénie fortuite pendant la grossesse. La plupart des obstétriciens (n=83, 91,2 %) demandaient uniquement un volume globulaire (VGP) lors de la consultation anténatale, seuls 2 (2,9 %) demandaient systématiquement une formule sanguine complète (FBC). Lors de la réservation, seuls 10 obstétriciens (11,1 %) ont demandé des antécédents de thrombocytopénie. La majorité (n=87, 98,9 %) n'a jamais demandé de numération plaquettaire. S'ils rencontraient une thrombocytopénie, jusqu'à 89 (97,8 %) poursuivaient les investigations en répétant la numération formule sanguine (n=77, 86,5%), un test de coagulation (n=54, 61,4%) ou une ponction de moelle osseuse (n=20, 24.7%). La plupart des obstétriciens (n=82, 96,5 %) transfuseraient des patients atteints de thrombocytopénie et 34 (43,6%) d'entre eux le feraient lorsque la numération est <50 X 109/L. CONCLUSION: Les obstétriciens ont la capacité d'investiguer la thrombopénie symptomatique pendant la grossesse, mais ne procèdent pas systématiquement au dépistage systématique de la thrombocytopénie asymptomatique. La FBC de routine, si elle est effectuée peut identifier les cas manqués de thrombocytopénie asymptomatique pour une prise en charge adéquate. Mots clés: Thrombocytopénie, grossesse, obstétriciens.

Clinical Audit of Low Dose Prophylaxis Programme for Nigerian Children with Haemophilia.

INTRODUCTION: The evidence of benefits for prophylaxis especially low dose prophylaxis is incontestable yet most children in developing countries as Nigeria do not have access to this treatment protocol. AIM: The aim was to audit the low dose prophylaxis treatment in Nigerian children with haemophilia. METHODOLOGY: A multicentre clinical audit of five haemophilia treatment centres; University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, National Hospital Abuja, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital Port Harcourt, and Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe. Eighteen children with mild-severe haemophilia were enrolled into low-dose prophylaxis treatment programme. The reduction of joint bleeding, improvement of joint function and Quality of Life (QoL) during prophylaxis were analysed. RESULTS: In total 18 children - 17males and 1 female (median age 8 years) were enrolled. The median duration of observation was 7 months (range 3-15months). Seven of the children were on primary prophylaxis (41%) while 10 of the children (59%) were on secondary prophylaxis. The number of joint bleeds decreased from a total of 162 (individual range 5-20, mean 10.3) to 42 (range 0-7, mean 3.0) during the observation period with an overall reduction of 74%. Joint function improved in 94.1% of disease joints, while only 5.6% reported no improvement (due to poor compliance). School attendance improved in all subjects, sports participation and daily activity improved moderately. CONCLUSION: Low dose prophylaxis was beneficial in reduction of joint bleeds, improvement of joint function and improvement of QoL of Children with haemophilia in Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Les preuves des avantages de la prophylaxie en particulier la prophylaxie à faible dose est incontestable cependant en pays en développement comme le Nigeria n'ont pas accès à ce protocole de traitement. OBJECTIF: L'objectif était de vérifier le traitement prophylactique à faible dose chez les enfants nigérians atteints d'hémophilie. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Un audit clinique multicentrique de cinq centres de traitement de l'hémophilie ; L'hopital universitaire de Nigéria, Enugu Hôpital universitaire de Lagos, Hôpital national d'Abuja, l'hôpital universitaire de Port Harcourt et l'hôpital universitaire fédéral de Gombe. Dix-huit enfants atteints d'hémophilie légèresévère ont été inscrits au programme de traitement prophylactique à faible dose. La réduction des saignements articulaires, l'amélioration de la fonction articulaire et de la qualité de vie (Qo) ont été analysées. RÉSULTATS: Au total, 18 enfants - 17 garçons et 1 fille (âge médian: 8 ans) ont été recrutés. La durée médiane d'observation était de 7 mois (de 3 à 15 mois). Sept des enfants étaient sous prophylaxie primaire (41 %) et 10 enfants (59 %) étaient sous prophylaxie secondaire. Le nombre de saignements articulaires a diminué, passant d'un total de162 (fourchette individuelle 5-20, moyenne 10,3) à 42 (fourchette 0-7, moyenne 3,0), pendant la période d'observation, soit une réduction globale de 74 %. La fonction articulaire s'est améliorée dans 94,1 % des articulations malades, tandis que seulement 5,6 % n'ont signalé aucune amélioration (en raison d'une mauvaise observance). n'ont signalé aucune amélioration (en raison d'une mauvaise observance). La fréquentation scolaire s'est améliorée dans toutes les matières, la pratique du sport et l'activité quotidienne s'est améliorée modérément. CONCLUSION: La prophylaxie à faible dose s'est avérée bénéfique dans la reduction des saignements articulaires, l'amélioration de la fonction articulaire et l'amélioration de la qualité de vie des enfants atteints d'hémophilie au Nigeria. MOTS-CLÉS: Prophylaxie à faible dose, Nigeria, Hémophilie, qualité de vie, concentré de facteur VIIII.

Prevalence of clinically significant antibodies in patients undergoing elective surgery in a Nigerian teaching hospital: A case for the type and screen method.

BACKGROUND: Provision of safe and adequate blood is challenging in our environment due to paucity of voluntary donors as well as inappropriate blood ordering and utilization. The type and screen (TS) method (typing of blood group and screening for antibodies) reduces the demand for blood reservation in hospital blood banks. AIMS: The aim of this study is to determine the safety (detection clinically significant antibodies) and cost effectiveness of the TS method compared to the conventional antiglobulin crossmatch (ACM). SETTINGS AND DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional prospective study carried out at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). 124 participants booked for elective surgeries with no history of blood transfusion or pregnancy were investigated. ACM was performed on all participants' serum against 159 donor red cells. TS was also performed blindly on the same participants' sera, antibody screening was done with three-screen-cells using the gel method. An 11-cell panel was used for antibody identification. Blood utilization was calculated using the crossmatch: transfusion ratio (CTR), probability of transfusion (%T) and transfusion index (TI). RESULTS: Out of the 159 units crossmatched for 124 study participants, only 19 were actually transfused (88.1% not utilized). The prevalence of compatible ACM was 100%, however the TS detected one antibody (0.81%) in a male participant identified as anti-M. The overall CTR, %T and TI were 8.4, 15.6% and 0.16 respectively, with N384,750 ($963.1) wastage in terms of cost. The TS method would have saved N266,000{$665.9} (N1900{4.78} per un-transfused patient). CONCLUSIONS: There was improper utilization of blood in elective surgeries. The TS method identified an antibody not detected by ACM. This would have saved N266,000 {$665.9}, and reduced the demand for blood reservation in the bank. Although The TS method was found not to be significantly different in outcome compared to the ACM, it was found to be cost effective.

The economic burden of malignant and premalignant hematological diseases in Southern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Hematological malignancies are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. They constitute an economic burden for the patients, their relatives, and the society because of the cost associated with their management, which is usually long term. We aimed to determine the total direct cost of managing patients with premalignant hematological disorders (PMHDs) and malignant hematological disorders (MHDs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hospital-based retrospective study was carried out between 1997 and 2015. Data were retrieved from the case notes of adult patients diagnosed with either PMHD or MHD. The total cost of medical care was calculated as the sum of in-patient and out-patient direct cost associated with their management. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences. RESULTS: There was a total of 129 patients; 74 (57.4%) males and 55 (42.6%) females with mean age of 45.7 ± 16.3 years and the majority (n = 76, 58.9%) being employed. Males were more affected than the females except in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. The commonest MHD was chronic myeloid leukemia with 37 (28.7%) patients. Full blood count was the commonest investigation done, whereas free light chains were the least (n = 2; 1.6%). The total cost of care for the 129 patients was N30,041,900.00 ($82,306.58) with an average total cost of care per patient of N232,882.95 ($638.04). Patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma had the highest mean cost of care per patient (N373,196.30; $1,022.46). The average monthly expenditure per patient was about N70,000 ($190). CONCLUSION: In our setting, management of CHDs constitutes an economic burden.

Challenges in the management of bleeding disorders in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Bleeding disorders (BDs) are characterized by abnormal bleeding for which effective management requires a combination of skill, workforce, diagnostic facilities, and adequate therapeutic options. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to determine the capacity of Nigerian hematologists to handle BDs and to assess availability of required infrastructure, equipment, and treatment options. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted during the 2016 scientific conference of the Nigerian Society for Hemetology and Blood Transfusion. A structured questionnaire was distributed to hematologists in attendance. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 21. RESULTS: A total of 55 (76.4%) hematologists from 27 centers responded. The most frequently carried out tests to assess bleeding were hemoglobin or packed cell volume (100%), full blood count (96.3%), and prothrombin time/international normalized ratio and activated partial thromboplastin time (77%). Many centers did not have a coagulometer (47.8%) or cold centrifuge (43.4%) and none had thromboelastography or rotational thromboelastometry. Fresh whole blood was the most accessible (88.5%) and up to one-third of the centers did not have access to component therapy. Only 39.1% centers had factor concentrates available. CONCLUSION: Facilities required for diagnosing and treating BD are significantly deficient in most centers in Nigeria. Funding to provide facility and training is required to improve on this inadequacy.

The clinical and laboratory features of plasma cell neoplasialn the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical and laboratory features of Multiple Myeloma at presentation in a tertiary centre in Port Harcourt Southern Nigeria. METHODS: The medical records of all patients diagnosed for plasma cell neoplasia within a 10 year period at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Clinical presentation, investigation results, support and specific therapy used were documented. RESULTS: A total 20 patients were diagnosed with multiple myeloma, 70% were male, the mean age was 61.30 +/- 8.8 years, 50% of them had pathological fractures. The mean duration before presentation was 11.89 +/- 11.7 months (Median = 7 months) and associated with poor outcome. The most common method treatment was chemotherapy with Melphalan and Predisolone. CONCLUSION: MM is a disease of the elderly that can negatively impact on the quality of life due to the complications associated with it. A long duration of symptoms before presentation is a common problem and it has been associated with substantial morbidity and mortality in this study.