Short-term effects of perindopril-amlodipine vs perindopril-indapamide on blood pressure control in sub-Saharan type 2 diabetic individuals newly diagnosed for hypertension: A double-blinded randomized controlled trial.

Poor blood pressure (BP) control contributes to complications in sub-Saharan African (SSA) type 2 diabetic individuals. Experts have advocated the use of combination therapies for effective BP control in these patients. The suggested combinations should include a RAAS antagonist and either a CCB or a thiazide diuretic; however, their efficacy is yet to be established in SSA. We investigated the short-term effects of two combination therapies on BP control in SSA type 2 diabetic individuals. This was a double-blinded randomized controlled trial conducted at the Yaoundé Central Hospital (Cameroon) from October 2016 to May 2017. We included type 2 diabetic patients, newly diagnosed for hypertension. After baseline assessment and 24-hour ABPM, participants were allocated to receive either a fixed combination of perindopril + amlodipine or perindopril + indapamide for 42 days. Data analyses followed the intention-to-treat principle. We included fifteen participants (8 being females) in each group. Both combinations provided good circadian BP control after 6 weeks with similar efficacy. Twenty-four-hour SBP dropped from 144 to 145 mm Hg vs 128 to 126 mm Hg with perindopril-amlodipine and perindopril-indapamide, respectively (P = 0.003 for both groups). Twenty-four-hour DBP dropped from 85 to 78 mm Hg (P = 0.013) vs 89 to 79 mm Hg (P = 0.006) in the same respective groups. No significant adverse effect was reported. A fixed initial combination of perindopril-amlodipine or perindopril-indapamide achieved similar effective BP control after 6 weeks in SSA type 2 diabetic individuals with newly diagnosed hypertension. Therefore, these combinations can be used interchangeably in this indication.

Effects of hydroquinone-containing creams on capillary glycemia before and after serial hand washings in Africans.

BACKGROUND: Hydroquinone-containing creams cause false increases in capillary glycemia. However, the magnitude of this false increase, and the means to reverse it have not been investigated. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the technical and clinical impact of hydroquinone-containing creams on capillary glycemia and investigate the efficacy of hand washing and other common practices, in reversing cream effects. METHODS: We included 91 participants in a quasi-experimental study in Buea, Cameroon. After determining the hydroquinone content of a cream, Caro Light, we used two glucometers with different enzymatic systems (Accu-Chek Active and OneTouch Ultra 2) to measure fasting glycemia after: initial hand washing (reference), application of 1 ml of hydroquinone-containing cream, finger swabbing with wet gauze, sanitizer application and a series of three hand washings following cream application. Reference glycemia was compared to those obtained after various interventions. Statistical significance was assessed by paired sample t-test, clinical significance by total error allowable (TEa), and clinical impact by Parke's error grid analysis. RESULTS: The mean differences in capillary glycemia (Intervention-reference) measured by Accu-Chek Active in mg/dl were 28, 27, 38, 16, 4, and -2 after cream application, finger swabbing, sanitizer application, one, two, and three hand washings respectively. Corresponding values for OneTouch Ultra2 were 41, 44, 64, 22, 5 and -5. These differences, except after two and three hand washings were both statistically (p < 0.0001) and clinically significant (TEa). After cream application, Accu-Check had 9.9% of values in Parke's Zones C-E, while OneTouch had 18.7%. CONCLUSION: Hydroquinone-containing creams cause significant false increase in capillary glycemia irrespective of the enzymatic system of the glucometer used, and can lead to potentially wrong clinical decisions. A minimum of two hand washings is required prior to capillary glucose measurement.

Knowledge of physicians on chronic kidney disease and their attitudes towards referral, in two cities of Cameroon: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is frequently unrecognized by non-nephrology physicians. There is an ongoing governmental program to create hemodialysis centers in the ten regions of Cameroon, where a previous study reported high levels of late referral to nephrologists. We aimed to assess the knowledge of physicians on CKD and their attitudes regarding referral. METHODS: A questionnaire based on the Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative Guidelines of 2002 was self-administered to general practitioners and non-nephrology specialists working in two Cameroon cities that have hemodialysis centers (Douala and Bamenda). RESULTS: Of the 174 general practitioners and non-nephrology specialists approached, 114 (65.5%) returned answered questionnaires. Only 58.8% of doctors identified the correct definition of CKD. Most physicians were aware of the major risk factors of CKD (hypertension, 97.4% and diabetes mellitus, 95.6%). Most physicians were also aware of complications such as anemia (93.0%), hypertension (90.4%), uremia (85.1%) and hyperkalemia (85.1%). Only 44% knew that CKD had five stages, with general practitioners 3.4 times more likely to know than specialists (p = 0.004). Even though 61.4% of the physicians knew that the estimated glomerular filtration rate was the appropriate clinical means to diagnose CKD, 12.7% would use serum creatinine alone for diagnosis. Also, up to 21.9% of physicians would refer at late stage. CONCLUSION: General practitioners and non-nephrology specialists lack general knowledge on CKD, especially on the definition and staging; they also have inadequate attitudes with regards to diagnosis and referral to the nephrologists. Educational efforts are warranted to improve on physicians' knowledge and skills on CKD in Cameroon.

Epidemiological profile of patients with end stage renal disease in a referral hospital in Cameroon.

BACKGROUND: Data regarding the epidemiology of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and dialysis in sub-Saharan Africa are scarce and knowledge about the spectrum renal disease is very limited. This study is on the profile of patients with ESRD in a referral hospital in Cameroon. METHODS: Medical records of patients with ESRD covering a 10-year period of activities of the Douala General Hospital were reviewed. Data were retrieved on socio demographic, and clinical data such as major comorbidities, the presumed aetiology of ESRD, blood pressure, biological variables and renal replacement therapy. RESULTS: In all 863 patients were included with 66% being men. Mean age was 47.4 years overall, 48.9 in men and 44.5 in women (p < 0.001). The main background aetiologies of ESRD were hypertension (30.9%), glomerulonephritis (15.8%), diabetes (15.9%), HIV (6.6%) and unknown (14.7%). Participants with HIV, glomerulonephritis or unknown background nephropathy were younger, more likely to be women, to be single and unemployed, while those with hypertension and/or diabetes were older, more likely to be men, to be either married or widow, and to be retired or working in the public sector. A total of 677 patients started haemodialysis with decreasing trend across age quartiles (p = 009), and variation across background nephropathies (p < 0.001). Emergency dialysis unplanned on a temporary catheter occurs in 88.3% of patients. CONCLUSION: This study has revealed substantial gender and age differentials in the socio-demographic features and background nephropathy in patients with ESRD in this setting. The likelihood of starting maintenance dialysis varied across background nephropathies, driven at least in part by age differences across background nephropathies.