Clinical presentation and outcomes of care in adults with diabetic ketoacidosis pre-COVID-19 and during-COVID-19 at a tertiary, referral hospital in Nairobi, Kenya.

BACKGROUND: Prognosis of DKA has improved over time with the availability of evidence-based protocols and resources. However, in Kenya, there are limited resources for the appropriate diagnosis and management of DKA, mostly limited to tertiary-level referral facilities. This study aimed to review the clinical presentation, management, and outcomes of adult patients admitted with DKA and assess differences in these parameters before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of DKA admissions from January 2017 to December 2021. Patient data were retrieved from the medical records department using ICD-10 codes, and individual details were abstracted on clinical presentation, management, and outcomes of DKA. Comparisons were made between pre-COVID-19 and during COVID-19 durations. RESULTS: 150 patients admitted with DKA were included (n = 48 pre- COVID-19, n = 102 during COVID-19 (n = 23 COVID-19 positive, n = 79 COVID-19 negative)). Median age was 47 years (IQR 33.0, 59.0), median HbA1C was 12.4% [IQR 10.8, 14.6]), and most patients had severe DKA (46%). Most common DKA precipitants were infections (40.7%), newly diagnosed diabetes (33.3%) and missed medication (25.3%). There was a significant difference in pulmonary infections as a DKA precipitant, between the pre- COVID and during COVID-19 pandemic (21.6% during COVID-19 versus 6.3% pre- COVID-19; p = 0.012). Median total insulin dose used was 110.0 units [IQR 76.0, 173.0], and a 100% of patients received basal insulin. Median length of hospital stay was 4.0 days [IQR 3.0, 6.0] and time to DKA resolution was 30.0 h [IQR 24.0, 48.0]. There were 2 deaths (1.3%), none directly attributable to DKA. Severity of DKA significantly differed between pre- COVID-19, COVID-19 positive and COVID-19 negative DKA (52.2% of COVID-19 positive had moderate DKA compared to 26.6% of COVID-19 negative and 22.9% of Pre-COVID-19 (p = 0.006)). CONCLUSION: Even in developing regions, good outcomes can be achieved with the appropriate facilities for DKA management. Clinician and patient education is necessary to ensure early detection and prompt referral to avoid patients presenting with severe DKA. Exploratory studies are needed to assess reasons for prolonged time to DKA resolution found in this study.

Discrimination and Abuse Among Healthcare Workers from Patients and their Relatives at a Tertiary Hospital in Kenya.

Discrimination and abuse of healthcare workers (HCWs) by patients and their relatives remains a pressing and prevalent problem in various healthcare settings, negatively affecting professional outcomes. Despite this, little has been reported about discrimination and abuse in many low- and middle-income countries such as Kenya. We conducted a cross-sectional survey study between May - August 2021 among healthcare workers at a hospital in Kenya. Email invitations were sent, and the survey was in English, and the data was collected through and online survey. Discrimination based on gender was reported by 24.9% of all HCWs; 39.9% of doctors, 17.2% of nurses, and 10.9% of allied staff whereas racial discrimination was reported by 28.8% of all HCWs; 49.0% of doctors, 18.9% of nurses, and 8.9% of allied staff. Verbal or emotional abuse was the most common form of abuse and was reported by 56.8% of all HCWs while physical abuse was reported by 4.9% of all HCWs. For those that reported discrimination based on gender, 77.4% reported patient and their family members as the main source, whereas 81.2% of those that reported discrimination based on race reported the main source was from patient and their family members. Despite strict laws against discrimination and abuse, a significant portion of healthcare providers suffer from discrimination and abuse primarily from patients and their family members. In addition to education programs and policies to curb such behavior in the work environment, coping mechanisms should be actively sought to help healthcare providers deal with such actions.

Outcomes of different steroid dosing regimens in critical Covid-19 pneumonia at a Kenyan hospital: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Among therapeutic options for severe and critical COVID- 19 infection, dexamethasone six milligrams once daily for ten days has demonstrated mortality benefit and is guideline recommended at this dose. In practice, variable doses of steroids have been used, especially in critical care settings. Our study aimed to determine the pattern of steroid dosing and outcomes in terms of critical care mortality, occurrence of dysglycaemias, and occurrence of superadded infections in patients with critical COVID-19. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was carried out on all eligible patients admitted to the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, with critical COVID-19 between 1st March 2020 and 31st December 2021. The intervention of interest was corticosteroids quantified as the average daily dose in milligrams of dexamethasone. A steroid dose of six milligrams once a day was compared to high dose steroid dosing, which was defined as any dose greater than this. The primary outcome measure was ICU mortality and secondary outcomes included occurrence of dysglycaemias, superadded infections and duration of critical care admission. RESULTS: The study included 288 patients. The median age was 61.2 years (IQR: 49.7, 72.5), with 71.2% of patients being male. The most common comorbidities were diabetes mellitus (60.7%), hypertension (58%), and heart disease (12.2%). The average oxygen saturation and C-reactive protein at admission were 82% [IQR: 70.0-89.0]and 113.0 [IQR: 54.0-186.0], respectively. Fifty-eight percent of patients received a standard dose (6mg) of steroids. The mortality rate was higher in the high-dose group compared to the standard-dose group; however, the difference was not statistically significant (47.9% vs 43.7% p = 0.549). The two most common steroid associated adverse effects were uncomplicated hyperglycemia (62.2%) and superimposed bacterial pneumonia (20.1%). The high-dose group had a higher incidence of uncomplicated hyperglycemia compared to the standard-dose group (63.6% vs 61.1%). However, the incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis was lower in the high dose group (0.6% vs 6.6%). Oxygen saturation at admission was associated with survival where it was lower among non-survivor patients with critical COVID-19. CONCLUSION: The study found that high-dose steroids in the treatment of critically ill patients with COVID-19 pneumonia did not confer any mortality benefit and were associated with an increased risk of dysglycemia and superimposed infections.

Diabetes care and education training audit for primary care physicians across 47 counties of Kenya: A pre-post intervention study.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an online continuous medical education programme for Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) in improving diabetes management in Kenya. METHODS: A pretest-post-test design was used to assess the change in knowledge across multiple modules and the overall change in the confidence level of the PCPs in managing people living with diabetes. The study was non-randomised. Course participants were nominated by local scientific associations. RESULTS: Out of a total of 1750 nominated participants, 1286 completed the training. A statistically significant (p=<0.001) change in knowledge and overall confidence was observed for each of the 8 modules of the training programme. Cohen's D effect size was calculated as 2.20 and 1.40 for change in knowledge and confidence levels, respectively. DISCUSSION: Web-based training is an effective way to improve the knowledge and self-reported confidence of PCPs involved in the management of diabetes. This web-based model can support the training needs of PCPs at a pace and time to suit their situation. Similar evidence-based programmes should be considered and field-tested for other healthcare professionals working in the management of diabetes.

Demographic, Clinical, and Co-Morbidity Characteristics of COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Cohort from a Tertiary Hospital in Kenya.

Introduction: The first documented case of COVID-19 in Kenya was recorded March of 2020. Co-morbidities including hypertension and diabetes have been associated with increased morbidity, hospitalization, and mortality among COVID-19 patients. This retrospective study describes the clinical characteristics, disease severity, and outcomes among the patient population at a tertiary hospital in Kenya. Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study of COVID-19 patients who were admitted between March 2020 and December 2020 at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. Data collected include patient demographic and baseline characteristics. Differences between patients who were known to have diabetes and hypertension during admission were compared for statistical significance. Difference between those who survived and those who died were also compared for statistical significance. Results: A total of 913 records of patients were studied with a mean age of 51.2 years (SD = 16.7), 66.5% were male and 80.8% were of African origin. History of diabetes, hypertension, and HIV status were at 27.3%, 33.1%, and 2.3%, respectively. At presentation, 33.1% (302/913) of patients had known hypertension by history, and following admission, this proportion increased to 37.7% (344/913). At presentation, 27.3% (249/913) of patients had known diabetes. During hospital stay, 20.8% (190) more patients were found to have diabetes, raising the overall percent to 48.1% (439/913). When comparing diabetes and hypertension at baseline versus at the end of admission, diabetes increased by 20.8% (p < 0.001) and hypertension by 4.6% (p = 0.049). HIV co-infection was 2.3%, and no patient had tuberculosis. Conclusion: This study showed a high incidence of co-morbidities in patients infected with COVID-19. Diabetes was most common, followed by hypertension. All patients admitted with COVID-19 infection should routinely be tested for diabetes with HbA1c and have regular blood pressure monitoring in order to diagnose occult diabetes and hypertension. Adverse outcomes were found in patients with these co-morbidities and should be monitored and treated appropriately.

Effect of diabetes self-management education on glycaemic control among type 2 diabetic patients at a family medicine clinic in Kenya: A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND:  Diabetes self-management education (DSME) is a key component of diabetes care aimed at delaying complications. Unlike usual care, DSME is a more structured educational approach provided by trained, certified diabetes educators (CDE). In Kenya, many diabetic patients are yet to receive this integral component of care. At the family medicine clinic of the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Nairobi, the case is no different; most patients lack education by CDE. AIM:  This study sought to assess effects of DSME in comparison to usual diabetes care by family physicians. SETTING:  Family Medicine Clinic, AKUH, Nairobi. METHODS:  Non-blinded randomised clinical trial among sub-optimally controlled (glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥ 8%) type 2 diabetes patients. The intervention was DSME by CDE plus usual care versus usual care from family physicians. Primary outcome was mean difference in HbA1c after six months of follow-up. Secondary outcomes included blood pressure and body mass index. RESULTS:  A total of 220 diabetes patients were screened out of which 140 met the eligibility criteria and were randomised. Around 96 patients (69%) completed the study; 55 (79%) in the DSME group and 41 (59%) in the usual care group. The baseline mean age and HbA1c of all patients were 48.8 (standard deviation [SD]: 9.8) years and 9.9% (SD: 1.76%), respectively. After a 6-month follow-up, no significant difference was noted in the primary outcome (HbA1c) between the two groups, with a mean difference of 0.37 (95% confidence interval: -0.45 to 1.19; p = 0.37). DSME also made no remarkable change in any of the secondary outcome measures. CONCLUSION:  From this study, short-term biomedical benefits of a structured educational approach seemed to be limited. This suggested that offering a short, intensified education programme might have limited additional benefit above and beyond the family physicians' comprehensive approach in managing chronic conditions like diabetes.