Hypertension in HAART-naϊve HIV Subjects in Southeast Nigeria: A single-Center Study.

Background: Hypertension is a major healthcare problem in Nigeria with a probable prevalence of 36.6%. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a global healthcare problem. The factors which influence hypertension in HIV subjects have not been completely identified. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of hypertension and the factors which might influence hypertension in HAART-naïve HIV subjects. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study involving 393 treatment-naïve HIV subjects and 136 age and sex-matched HIV seronegative controls. Anthropometric and demographic data were obtained, blood pressure measurements and other relevant investigations were performed. Hypertension was defined here as systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 90mmHg. Hypertension was compared between the HIV subjects and the non-HIV control. The association of the variables with hypertension in HIV subjects were determined. Results: The mean age of the HIV subjects was 39±11 years. Females were 282(72.0%) and males 110(28.0%). The prevalence of hypertension was 23.7% in HIV subjects and 31.6% in the non-HIV control. The prevalence of hypertension was 17.2% in HIV subjects with high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) <1.0mg/dl and this was significantly lower than the prevalence of hypertension of 27.1% in those whose serum HDL was ≥ 1.0mg/dl. There was no significant association between hypertension and 24-hour urine osmolality (24HUOsm) (p=0.094), body mass index (BMI) (p=0.572), 24-hour urine protein (24HUP) (p=0.606), serum total cholesterol (p=0.628), serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) (p=0.116), triglyceride (TG) (p=0.925), Systolic blood pressure had a significant correlation with serum HDL, (r=0.114, p=0.024). Similarly, CD4 cell count correlated significantly with DBP (r=0.123, p=0.012. Serum HDL (p=0.0.024) and CD4 cell count (p=0.012) predicted hypertension in HIV subjects. Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension of 23.7% in HIV subjects was high in this study. Low CD4 cell count and low serum HDL were predictors of hypertension in HIV subjects.

Biochemical changes in tuberculosis.

INTRODUCTION: tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health issue with high morbidity and mortality rates especially in the developing countries. It is a multi-organ disease and can influence biochemical changes. This study sought to determine the influence of tuberculosis and its drug treatment on serum biochemical parameters in patients in Nigeria. METHODS: it was a descriptive observational cohort study on 150 subjects whose blood samples were analyzed for serum albumin, serum sodium, and serum potassium. The subjects were grouped into 3: TB group= 50 new TB subjects not on treatment, F group= 50 TB subjects on treatment for 2/12 or more and C group= 50 non-TB control subjects. These biochemical variables were compared between the 3 groups. RESULTS: male/female ratio was 1: 1.5, mean age 37.1±0.92 years, and range 18-65 years. The differences in mean values of serum albumin, calcium and sodium between the three groups were significant (p<0.001), whereas that of serum potassium was not significant (p=0.056). Those patients with new case TB had a significantly lower serum sodium, serum albumin and serum calcium than the control group and those on treatment, p<0.001. There was significant positive correlation between serum albumin and serum calcium (r=0.0.420, p<0.001) as well as serum sodium (r=0.310, p<0.001) in the study population. Similarly, the correlation between serum calcium and serum sodium was positive and significant (r=0.200, p=0.014). In contrast, the correlation between serum potassium and serum albumin and that between serum potassium and serum calcium was not significant. CONCLUSION: tuberculosis with or without anti-tuberculous medications was associated with significant reduction in serum albumin, serum sodium and serum calcium in this study.

Minor Blunt Injury-induced Rhabdomyolysis from a Road Traffic Accident in Nigeria.

Rhabdomyolysis, though not a common complication of minor blunt trauma, may result in life-threatening acute kidney injury (AKI). Here is illustrated a case of a young male who sustained minor blunt injuries in a road traffic accident, which he overlooked and presented with features of severe AKI. The patient is a 24-year-old male, who presented with progressive weakness, difficulty in walking, and features of uremia, 14 days after he sustained minor blunt injuries and lacerations in a road traffic accident. Evaluation showed elevated serum creatine kinase, serum myoglobin, and severe azotemia. He was commenced on hemodialysis. He was also commenced on antibiotics, analgesic, and 5% dextrose/saline. He had three sessions of hemodialysis on alternate days. His condition improved remarkably after the first session of dialysis. He was discharged after 18 days on admission. Follow-up in the clinic showed a normal renal function. This case report shows rhabdomyolysis from minor blunt injuries sustained in a road traffic accident and complicated by severe AKI. The patient almost recovered full renal function with management.

Pre-operative pulmonary assessment and risk factors for post-operative pulmonary complications in elective abdominal surgery in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Post-operative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are recurring causes of rising morbidity and mortality in surgeries. This study sought to evaluate pre-operative risk factors for PPCs in abdominal surgerypatients in Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: This was a prospective study in patients booked for surgery in 2014. Biodata, medical his tory, pre-operative respiratory and cardiovascular examination findings, body mass index, serum albumin, serum urea, ventilatory function, chest x-rays and oxygen saturation were obtained. The association between pre-operative variables and PPCs was determined. RESULTS: The pre-operative spirometry was predominantly restrictive (62%). Overall, the prevalence of PPCs was 52%. This included non-productive cough (14%), isolated productive cough (10%), productive cough with abnormal chest finding (16%), pneumonia (8%), pleural effusion (5%), ARDS (2%). Percentage predicted FEV1 and FVC were lower in participants with PPCs. (p= 0.03 and p=0.01respectively). Pre-operative cough, shortness of breath and consolidation were associated with PPCs (p< 0.05). Post-operative respiratory rate and pulse rate in participants with PPCs were higher than the values in those without PPCs (p=0.03 and p=0.05). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of PPCs was high in this study. Pre-operative cough, shortness of breath, consolidation, abnormally low percentage predicted FEV1 and FVC were associated with PPCs.

A look at risk factors of proteinuria in subjects without impaired renal filtration function in a general population in Owerri, Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Proteinuria is a common marker of kidney damage. This study aimed at determining predictors of proteinuria in subjects without impaired renal filtration function in Owerri, Nigeria. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving 136 subjects, consecutively drawn from Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri, Nigeria. Relevant investigations were performed, including 24-hour urine protein (24HUP). Correlation and multivariate linear regression analysis were used to determine the association and strength of variables to predict proteinuria. Proteinuria was defined as 24HUP ≥0.300g and impaired renal filtration function as creatinine clearance (ClCr) <90mls/min. P<0.05 was taken as statistically significant. RESULTS: Mean age of subjects was 38.58 ±11.79 years. Female/male ratio was 3:1. High 24-hour urine volume (24HUV) (p<0.001), high spot urine protein/creatinine ratio (SUPCR) (p<0.001), high 24-hour urine protein/creatinine ratio (24HUPCR) (p<0.001), high 24-hour urine protein/osmolality ratio (24HUPOR) (p<0.001), low 24-hour urine creatinine/osmolality ratio (24HUCOR) (p<0.001), and low spot urine protein/osmolality ratio (SUPOR) (p<0.001), predicted proteinuria in this study. CONCLUSION: The risk factors of proteinuria in subjects without impaired renal filtration function in Owerri, Nigeria, included 24HUV, SUPCR, 24HUPCR, 24HUPOR, 24HUCOR and SUPOR. Further research should explore the relationship between urine creatinine and urine osmolality, and how this relationship may affect progression of kidney damage, with or without impaired renal filtration function.