RESUMEN
Epilepsy is the most widespread neurological disorder in Africa, affecting an estimated 25 million people. The disorder is characterized by recurrent seizures, which can be caused by a variety of factors, including past trauma, central nervous system infections, and genetic disorders. Diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy are challenging in African patients due to several factors, including the low socioeconomic status of the residents and limited access to appropriate medication. Phenobarbital remains the only drug widely available to patients, but it is not always effective and can have significant side effects. In addition to the medical challenges, individuals with epilepsy also face a lot of social stigmas in Africa. Widespread superstitions and false beliefs lead to prejudices against these people, making it difficult for them to live fulfilling social lives. With the development of new treatment modalities, such as gene therapy, stem cell therapy, and P-glycoprotein inhibitors, it is more important now than ever to increase the research output for the African region to create the best possible treatment and maximize patient outcomes.
RESUMEN
Acute spinal cord injury (ASCI), a key factor behind serious sensory, motor, and autonomic dysfunctions, holds on as a fundamental cause of morbidity, psychological disturbances, and high socioeconomic burden. This study sheds light, particularly on the African countries where it is found that traumatic ASCI, mainly due to road traffic accidents, remains the leading cause, with 130 cases per million in this part of the world. Moreover, limited resources, with the lack of funds and equipment, as well as widespread poverty, restrict the availability of suitable diagnostic, management, and treatment options. The weight of the evidence suggests that there is an ultimate need for well-developed infrastructure embracing a multidisciplinary approach to rehabilitation in Africa. Furthermore, international collaborations, posing a significantly wide background for evidence-based information and resources, are indispensable for ASCI prospects and future studies among the African population. The purpose of this study is to fill a part of the persistent gap in the research era regarding the ASCI in Africa and direct future research toward investigating its different aspects as well as exploring its interventional needs.
RESUMEN
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that can present with motor and extra-motor manifestations. Its global prevalence is 4.42 per 1 000 000, and it has a high mortality rate. In sub-Saharan Africa alone, 15 per 100 000 develop ALS mainly between their 40s and 60s and only one-fourth of them have access to treatment. ALS was found to be not only affected by genetic variation but also by the patient's mood and lifestyle. In Africa, males and younger people tend to be affected with ALS and rarely present with bulbar onset. ALS diagnosis is very challenging due to the lack of ALS-specific biomarkers and the sharing of some clinical features with other syndromes. ALS treatment is mainly riluzole and supportive treatment via nasogastric tube and ventilatory support. The access to treatment in Africa is very limited, thus a very bad prognosis with a median survival time of 14 months post-diagnosis. Further research is needed to assess the real situation in Africa and to try to closely monitor patients suffering from ALS.
