Striae Distensae: A Cross-Sectional Study of Risk Factors and Quality of Life among Nigerians.

BACKGROUND: Striae distensae is a common affliction of darkly pigmented skin. The pattern, risk factors and impact of striae distensae on the Quality of Life (QoL) have not been widely examined. OBJECTIVE: To document the prevalence, pattern, risk factors and impact of striae distensae on the QoL of sufferers. METHODS: 520 adults were included through a crosssectional design. Demographic and striae distensae-related clinical parameters were documented and QoL evaluated using Skindex-29 and DLQI. RESULTS: Mean age of participants was 24.10±5.44years. Participants with striae distensae were significantly females (71.9% vs 28.1%, p<0.001) and mild (61.9%) and moderate (32.5%) striae distensae were prevalent. Higher total mean ± SD and mean ranked scores correlated with single status (p<0.001 and p=0.017) and striae distensae severity (p<0.001 and p=0.035) on Skindex and DLQI, respectively. Singles with striae distensae had significantly higher scores on symptom/feeling (p<0.001), daily activities (p=0.003), relationship (p=0.043), leisure (p=0.004), treatment (p=0.011) and work/school (p=0.014) on DLQI. Striae distensae was associated with higher emotion (p<0.001) and functioning (p<0.001) scores on Skindex-29. In regression analysis, age < 30years OR-1.219 (CI: 1.062, 1.400, p=0.005), was a predictor of severe QoL impairment on Skindex-29 and age <30 years OR-1.130 (CI: 1.022, 1.250, p=0.017), obesity OR=1.091, 95% (CI 1.008;1.181, p=0.032) and concern about striae distensae OR-2.482 (CI: 1.392, 4.425, p=0.002) on DLQI. CONCLUSION: Psychologic evaluation might be indicated in cases of singles with moderate-severe striae distensae and impaired QoL. Predictors of impaired QoL include young age, high BMI, and concerns about striae distensae.

CONTEXTE: Striae distensae est une affection courante de la peau à pigmentation foncée. Le modèle, les facteurs de risque et l'impact des stries distensae sur la qualité de vie (QdV) n'ont pas été largement examinés. OBJECTIF: Documenter la prévalence, le profil, les facteurs de risque et l'impact des stries distensae sur la qualité de vie des patients. MÉTHODES: 520 adultes ont été inclus dans le cadre d'un devis transversal. Les paramètres cliniques démographiques et liés aux striae distensae ont été documentés et la qualité de vie évaluée à l'aide du Skindex-29 et du DLQI. RÉSULTATS: L'âge moyen des participants était de 24,10 ± 5,44 ans. Les participants avec des vergetures étaient significativement des femmes (71,9% contre 28,1%, p<0,001) et des vergetures légères (61,9 %) et modérées (32,5 %) étaient prévalentes. Des totaux plus élevés signifient ± SD et des scores classés moyens en corrélation avec le statut unique (p<0,001 et p=0,017) et la sévérité des stries distensae (p<0,001 et p=0,035) sur Skindex et DLQI, respectivement. Les célibataires atteints de stries distensae avaient des scores significativement plus élevés sur les symptômes/émotions (p<0,001), les activités quotidiennes (p=0,003), la relation (p=0,043), les loisirs (p=0,004), le traitement (p=0,011) et le travail/l'école (p=0,014) sur DLQI. Striae distensae était associée à des scores plus élevés d'émotion (p<0,001) et de fonctionnement (p<0,001) sur Skindex-29. Dans l'analyse de régression, l'âge < 30 ans OR-1,219 (IC : 1,062, 1,400, p=0,005), était un prédicteur d'une altération sévère de la qualité de vie sur Skindex-29 et l'âge <30 ans OR-1,130 (IC : 1,022, 1,250, p=0,017), obésité OR=1,091, 95 % (IC 1,008 ; 1,181, p=0,032) et inquiétude concernant les stries distensae OR-2,482 (IC : 1,392, 4,425, p=0,002) sur le DLQI. CONCLUSION: Une évaluation psychologique pourrait être indiquée dans les cas de célibataires présentant des stries distensae modérées à sévères et une qualité de vie altérée. Les prédicteurs d'une qualité de vie altérée comprennent le jeune âge, un IMC élevé et des inquiétudes concernant les stries distensae. MOTS-CLÉS: Striae distensae; Qualité de vie; DLQI; Skindex-29, Psychodermatologie.

Options in the treatment of totally intrathoracic stomach with volvulus.

Gastric volvulus is a rare life-threatening condition resulting from rotation of the stomach by 180 degrees. We describe two patients with unusual chronic totally intrathoracic gastric volvulus that were treated by different laparoscopic techniques. Preoperatively, upper gastrointestinal contrast studies are diagnostic and, gastroscopy is helpful. Rapid progress in laparoscopy has shifted treatment away from traditional and complex open surgery. Reduction of the intrathoracic stomach, hernia sac excision and closure of the hiatal defect is now possible laparoscopically. Surgeon preference guides the addition of a fundoplication, gastropexy or gastrostomy to maintain gastric reduction. Advances in minimal access techniques mean a variety of options are now available, enabling the surgeon to successfully modify treatment for individual patients with intrathoracic gastric volvulus.

Attitude of rural Nigerian pregnant women to antenatal HIV screening.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge and attitude of rural Nigerian women to the incorporation of HIV screening as part of the routine antenatal screening test at booking. METHODS: 1 820 women were interviewed using a close ended questionnaire at the antenatal clinic of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owo, Nigeria over a period of 12 months. RESULTS: Though the majority of the women were of low socio-economic status (85.9%) with 20% having less than six years of formal education, 98.6% of them were aware and knowledgeable (89.1%) about HIV/AIDS. The majority (89.9%) of the women accept routine HIV screening as part of antenatal screening. CONCLUSION: Based on the above findings, obstericians practicing in this locality are encouraged to incorporate HIV screening into their antenatal care.