The Nigerian postgraduate medical journal
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Niger Postgrad Med J · Mar 2004
Profile of and control measures for paediatric discharges against medical advice.
Children are minors in health decision- making and discharges against medical advice (DAMA) may portend adverse health, social and psychological consequences . This study was aimed at ascertaining the prevalence rate and the determining clinical, sociodemographic factors as well as caregivers' perceptions associated with paediatric DAMA with the view of proferring possible control measures. ⋯ DAMA is of multifactorial aetiology, involving clinically heterogeneous patients who may be critically ill or partially recovered. Socioeconomic, quality and cost of health care are implicated. This study recommends some control measures.
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Niger Postgrad Med J · Mar 2004
Frequency and predictors of autonomic dysfunction in Parkinson's disease: a study of African patients in Lagos, Nigeria.
The degenerative changes in PD also affect the autonomic nervous system. The frequency and predictors of such involvement in Africans with PD has not been reported. ⋯ Autonomic dysfunction was found to be common in Africans with PD, particularly those above 65 years and tends to affect the parasympathetic system. However, the abnormality may be detectable even before symptoms appear. As such, we recommend that cardiovascular tests of autonomic function be a routine aspect of the evaluation of PD patients, especially with advancing age.