W Indian Med J
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To review cases of venous thromboembolism (VTE) at UHWI from 1999-2004, to identify methods of diagnosis, risk factors and to evaluate differences between survivors and fatalities. ⋯ Venous thromboembolism was common in this cohort of women and avoidance of risk factors and institution of prophylaxis in high risk women is important to decrease morbidity and mortality.
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The present study sought to determine whether an association exists between alcohol dependence and select affective and anxiety disorders in patients presenting at substance abuse centres in Trinidad and Tobago (TT). The participants in this study were 143 alcohol dependents, of either East Indian ancestry (Indo-TT) or African ancestry (Afro-TT) and 109 controls matched by age, gender and ethnicity. A structured interview was used to gather information on demographics, psychiatric diagnoses and personal drinking and drug use. ⋯ However in participants of African descent elevated alanine transaminase ALT was associated (p = 0.038) with not having substance-induced major depression. Co-morbidity of major depressive disorder with alcohol dependence is common in the two major ethnic groups in Trinidad and Tobago and appears to be as likely the consequence of drinking and/or drug use, as the cause. Clinicians should solicit a history of depression from patients with alcohol dependence.
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Historical Article
Diseases and medical disabilities of enslaved Barbadians, from the seventeenth century to around 1838 part II.
The disease environment, health problems and causes of mortality of enslaved Barbadians are described. Data are derived mainly from documentary sources; also included are bio-archaeological data from analyses of skeletons recovered from Newton Plantation cemetery. Major topics include infectious diseases transmitted from person to person, as well as those contracted through water soil, and other environmental contaminations, and diseases transmitted by insects, parasites and other animals; nutritional diseases, including protein energy malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies, anaemia, and geophagy or "dirt eating"; dental pathologies, lead poisoning, alcoholism, traumas, and other disorders, including psychogenic death or illness caused by beliefs in witchcraft or sorcery.
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To determine the general health and social status of elderly persons surveyed in Trinidad and to explore issues of loneliness. ⋯ The data revealed that across all ethnic groups more than one-third of the sample reported themselves to be in fair to good health. Many of these elders were lonely because their relatives were quite occupied with their own affairs.
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Comparative Study
An analysis of dietary micronutrient intakes in two age groups of black South African women.
To assess micronutrient intake of black women living in Mangaung, South Africa. ⋯ Generally, micronutrient intakes were adequate in this population. Attention should be given to those micronutrients where median intakes were < or = 67% of the RDA and those that were not at or above the respective AI in these groups of women.