Clinicopathological review of ocular surface squamous neoplasia in Malawi.

BACKGROUND: Ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) is the most common cause of malignancy of the conjunctiva. Variable clinical presentation means that invasive malignant OSSN is often difficult to discriminate from other similarly presenting differential diagnoses which can be managed more conservatively. AIMS: Identification of clinical factors associated with a histopathological diagnosis of conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). METHODS: Prospective consecutive case series of suspected OSSN cases presenting at two hospitals in Central Malawi over a 1 year period. A pro forma was completed assessing preidentified clinical variables. Suspected lesions underwent excisional biopsy followed by histopathological investigation. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients were recruited. Mean age was 35.8 (range 22-62). 51 cases of histopathologically confirmed OSSN were found. 30 (50%) patients were confirmed HIV seropositive which rose to 86.67% in invasive SCC. Larger size of tumour (p=0.008), male gender (p=0.025) and HIV seropositivity (p=0.010) were associated with invasive SCC pathology. CONCLUSIONS: A clinicopathological study of OSSN has not previously been performed in Malawi. The association of HIV with SCC corresponds to previous reports from sub-Saharan Africa. A new finding in our study is a relationship between larger tumour size and invasive lesions confirmed by histopathology. When integrated into a clinical decision-making model, tumour area provides a simple clinical measure for ophthalmic practitioners to use in order to differentiate higher risk OSSN from more benign pathology. The higher risk lesions can subsequently be treated with greater surgical care and undergo closer follow-up.

Effects of intervention with the SAFE strategy on trachoma across Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The impact of the SAFE strategy (surgery, antibiotics, face washing, environmental hygiene), recommended to eliminate blinding trachoma, is not well explored. We determined the operational effectiveness of the whole SAFE intervention package. METHODS: Analytical cross-sectional trachoma surveys were conducted in four program areas across Ethiopia before and after 3 years of intervention with the SAFE strategy. A total of 8358 children 1-9 years, 4684 people above 14 and 3572 households were assessed in the follow-up evaluations using methodologies recommended by the WHO. Effects were measured by comparing follow-up proportions with baseline estimates of four key indicators. RESULTS: Coverage was 36% for trichiasis surgery, 59% for antibiotic and 57% for health-promotion services. Prevalence of trachoma trichiasis (TT) decreased from 4.6% (95% CI: 3.6% to 5.8%) down to 2.9% (CI: 2.1% to 3.9%). Prevalence of trachoma inflammation-follicular (TF) dropped from 36.7% (33.9% to 39.6%) to 18.4% (CI: 15.4% to 21.8%). The proportion of unclean faces and households not using latrines fell from 72.8% (68.9% to 76.4%) and 74.5% (69.9% to 78.7%) down to 47.0% (CI: 43% to 51%) and 51.7% (47.2% to 56.2%), respectively. All the reductions related with antibiotic (TF), face washing (clean face) and environmental (latrine) components were statistically significant except for Surgery (TT). CONCLUSIONS: Considerable decline in the magnitude of trachoma and its risk factors was observed in areas where the SAFE strategy was implemented. The coverage of services should be maintained or improved in order to eliminate blinding trachoma by the year 2020.