South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
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Our understanding of swallowing disorders after laryngectomy remains limited. A literature search found that documentation of swallowing function in the laryngectomee population is lacking. Furthermore, no consensus exists regarding a suitable evaluation tool to assess swallowing function. While conventional questionnaires are time consuming, cost and time constraints make regular objective swallowing investigations impractical. ⋯ The SDS is a 2-question, practical grading system that shows a statistically significant correlation with the recognised SOAL questionnaire, making it a useful alternative for everyday use, which provides outcome scores of direct practical value to patient and clinician. Prospective use of the SDS and higher patient numbers may allow a better understanding of dysphagia, its causes and risk factors.
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Estimates of prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity (seroprevalence) for tracking the COVID-19 epidemic are lacking for most African countries. ⋯ Our study conducted between the first and second waves of the pandemic shows high levels of current infection among patients attending public health facilities in Gauteng Province.
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Respiratory diseases account for >10% of the global burden of disease when measured in disability-adjusted life-years. The burden of chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) increases as the world's population ages, with a much greater increase in low- to middle-income countries. ⋯ Over a 9-month period, acute respiratory presentations to a tertiary hospital were mainly for primary/secondary level of care indications, highlighting disparity in accessing tertiary services. COPD and PTLD predominated among CRDs, while infections and cancers were common. A high readmission rate was found for several diseases, suggesting the potential for targeted interventions to prevent both admissions and readmissions and reduce acute hospital utilisation costs.
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Globally there is increasing awareness of the need for end-of-life care and palliative care in hospitalised patients who are in their final year of life. Limited data are available on palliative care requirements in low- and middle-income countries, hindering the design and implementation of effective policies and health services for these patients. ⋯ Despite a median age <60 years at admission, a substantial percentage of patients admitted to public sector hospitals in SA are in the final year of their lives. This finding should be seen in the context of SA's high communicable and non-communicable disease burden and resource-limited public health system, and highlights the need for policy development, planning and implementation of end-of-life and palliative care strategies for hospitals and patients.
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There are limited in-depth analyses of COVID-19 differential impacts, especially in resource-limited settings such as South Africa (SA). ⋯ The study revealed the heterogeneous nature of COVID-19 impacts in SA. Existing socioeconomic inequalities appear to shape COVID-19 impacts, with a disproportionate effect on black Africans and marginalised and low socioeconomic groups. These differential impacts call for considered attention to mitigating the health disparities among black Africans.