Niger J Clin Pract
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Hypertension and other noncommunicable diseases are currently responsible for at least 20% of all deaths in Nigeria, and constitute up to 60% of the patients admitted into the medical wards of most tertiary hospitals in Nigeria. Yet, the treatment outcomes for the diseases have remained very poor, prompting calls for better patient education. It has however been established that the effectiveness of patient education is linked to the healthy habits of the doctor. This study was conducted to find out the prevalence of hypertension and its modifiable risk factors among the lecturers of the University of Port Harcourt Medical School. ⋯ The prevalence of hypertension among the lecturers in the medical school was lower than that in the general population, mainly due to their better health-seeking behavior and healthy lifestyle.
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Comparative Study
Prevalence of hypoxemia among children with sickle cell anemia during steady state and crises: a cross-sectional study.
Patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA) are prone to recurrent pain crises related to red blood cell sickling and vaso-occlusion with subsequent tissue hypoxia. Alveolar hypoxia has been shown to be associated with entrapment of sickle cells in the pulmonary microcirculation which may propagate a cycle of further hypoxemia and sickling. Pulmonary complications are common in sickle cell disease (SCD) and may exacerbate microvascular occlusive phenomena. Thus, detecting hypoxemia is of particular importance in SCD. ⋯ Hypoxemia was significantly higher among children with SCA during Vaso-occlusion crises. We recommend that one should have a high index of suspicion and take prompt action in managing these individuals especially those with acute chest syndrome.
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Comparative Study
Patterns of superficial venous arrangement in the cubital fossa of adult Nigerians.
The cubital fossa is a common site for the removal of venous blood for analysis, transfusion, and intravenous therapy. The superficial venous return from the upper limb follows two or three major superficial veins, which are extremely variable; these include the cephalic, basilic, median cubital, and antebrachial veins and their tributaries. ⋯ Appreciation of these venous patterns is useful to the medical and paramedical workers, especially in conditions that require venepuncture.
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Expectedly, daycase surgery (DCS) is today witnessing a boom in developing countries as a reasonable option in the face of global economic recession, although with limited scope. ⋯ Urologic day surgery is feasible with minimal morbidities. The provisions of a dedicated day-case unit or a mobile DCS service may further improve on the volume of cases that can be operated on a day-case basis and has the potential of further reducing the waiting time for surgery.
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Comparative Study
Relation of iron stores to oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes.
Recent studies revealed elevated serum ferritin levels predict new-onset type 2 diabetes. Further studies proved ferritin to be an important and independent predictor of the development of diabetes. The link between hyperglycemia, enhanced free radical activity (oxidative stress) and serum iron and its stores (serum ferritin levels) levels is not clear. ⋯ Serum ferritin level in the present study is found to be higher in the newly diagnosed cases and lower in those patients suffering from diabetes for more than 10 years. This study probably suggests that serum ferritin can represent either as a pro-oxidant or as an antioxidant in a time-dependent manner.