Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice最新文献

Background: Fatigue is a common problem in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and is one of the most serious symptoms of the disease. Although many factors play a role in the etiology of fatigue in patients with MS, it has been reported that fatigue is caused by irregular or disrupted sleep patterns.

Aim: The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of lavender oil aromatherapy on the sleep and fatigue of MS patients.

Methods: The study was designed as a randomized controlled trial and was conducted in Turkey. The data of the study were collected using the Patient Description Form, Fatigue Severity Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.

Results: The mean FSS score in the experimental group was 6.86 ± 0.94 before the procedure and 3.42 ± 0.85 after the procedure, the mean PSQI score was 9.45 ± 1.23 before the procedure and 6.68 ± 2.87 after the procedure, and the difference in the mean scores between the two groups was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: The results showed that aromatherapy with lavender essential oil has significant impacts on fatigue and sleep in MS patients. Lavender essential oil aromatherapy can be used by nurses as an independent nursing practice. It is an inexpensive, noninvasive, and reliable technique to manage fatigue in individuals with MS.

Background: Breast cancer is the type of cancer that is seen all over the world and ranks first among female cancers in terms of incidence and cause of death.

Objective: This research was conducted to determine the breast cancer risk level and breast cancer knowledge level in women living in Northern Cyprus.

Methods: The study, which was planned as a relational survey, was carried out as web-based. The research was completed with 657 adult female participants living in Northern Cyprus who volunteered to participate in the study. In order to collect data, the first section includes the introductory features, the second section includes the "Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Form" for determining breast cancer risk levels, the third section includes the "Comprehensive Breast Cancer Knowledge Test" to determine the breast cancer knowledge levels of the participants, and the fourth section includes the "Champion Health Belief Model Scale" was used.

Results: It was determined that 95.2% of women were in the low risk group for breast cancer. The knowledge test mean score is 12.05, and it can be said that the scores obtained are above the average (min:4- max:18). It was found that 55.7% of the women knew how to do Breast Self-Examination (BSE), but only 15.4% of them regularly performed BSE every month. It was found that 80.9% of the women never had mammography and their knowledge scores increased with increasing education level (p< 0.001) and there was a significant relationship between non-smokers and their knowledge levels (p< 0.01).

Implications for practice: Despite the high scores of women in knowledge tests, it was observed that the frequency of applying BSE and having mammography was very low. Regardless of the risk factors for breast cancer, the importance of regular check-ups and BSE for every woman should be taught to women by health professionals, and group trainings should be planned for women who do not have training on this subject.

Background: Dermal fillers augment soft tissues by replacing lost volume in the skin or subcutaneous fat. Dentists and other professionals utilize or recommend facial fillers for cosmetic and therapeutic purposes.

Aims: This study aims to investigate public awareness regarding using nonsurgical facial dermal fillers in Saudi Arabia.

Methods and material: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online self-administered questionnaire distributed to a total of 400 males and females through social media platforms. The participants reside in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test were employed for data analysis.

Results: A total of 256 participants completed the survey, including 204 females and 51 males, with a mean age of 33.86 (SD = 10.5) years. Among the participants, 88 (34.4%) reported using facial fillers. Among them, only 46 (18%) were frequent consumers. Knowledge regarding correctly using facial fillers was generally high, especially for the lips (240, 94%), chin augmentation (203, 79.3%), and face lifting (226, 88.3%). However, participants' knowledge needed improvement in other areas. Most participants were aware of the side effects, except for visual impairment (83, 32.4%) and blockage of the vessels (128, 50%).

Conclusions: The findings highlighted a remarkable level of knowledge among participants regarding the uses of fillers. However, participants demonstrated low awareness of all possible side effects associated with the treatment. Participants had valid reasons for undergoing facial treatments. However, constraints preventing them from pursuing fillers included fear of unexpected results and financial limitations.

Abstract: Myotonic dystrophy (DM) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by progressively worsening loss of muscle mass and weakness. Anesthesiologists face challenges in managing these patients due to risks such as prolonged intubation and delayed recovery associated with anesthesia in such conditions. We report a case of a 40-year-old male patient undergoing open total gastrectomy under general anesthesia. After the surgery, we administered sugammadex to reverse neuromuscular blockade and confirmed the patient's spontaneous breathing. We then proceeded to extubate the patient. However, the patient experienced complications such as apnea, desaturation, and mental changes. The patient was re-intubated and transferred to the intensive care unit for ventilator support. He was diagnosed with DM by genetic test later. Poor preoperative assessment or undiagnosed DM in surgical patients can lead to severe complications. Thus, it is important to carefully check preoperative laboratory results, patient history, and physical findings.

Background: Traditional medicine is a constellation of practices, approaches, knowledge, and beliefs, which encompass material-based medicines, spiritual therapies, and manual techniques applied individually or combined.

Aim: This study seeks to determine the cost and visual status of traditional eye treatments users among new patients at a health facility.

Materials and methods: This is part of the study titled "Traditional eye practices: A facility-based study in North Central Nigeria." It is a cross-sectional, facility-based study conducted between July 2013 and June 2014 on new patients seen in the eye unit of Church of Christ in the Nations Rehabilitation Center, Mangu. Interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used to gather information on patient demographics; cost of traditional eye medication and manipulations and visual status of new patients were recorded.

Results: The use of traditional eye treatment was reported by 134 (4.3%) of the 3113 new patients. Traditional operative couching of lens was more expensive than using traditional eye medications (P < 0.001). Payment modality varied, and poor visual status was significantly higher among traditional eye treatment users (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Since most respondents who had their eyes couched or used traditional eye medicine were able to pay such high price with dissatisfaction and poorer visual status, they should be able to pay for modern cataract surgery with good outcome. There is a need for health education of the general public about the deleterious effects of traditional eye treatment.

Background: Various types of nasal tampons are used for packing after septoplasty. Intranasal splints are widely used as they are more advantageous than other materials regarding the lower complication rates of synechia, and lesser pain during removal. However, there is no consensus on the timing of intranasal splint removal after septoplasty operations.

Aim: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of removal time of intranasal splints on postoperative complications after septoplasty.

Methods: One hundred patients who had septoplasty were randomly divided into two groups according to splint removal time. In group I, the splints were removed on the third postoperative day and in group II, splints were removed on the seventh postoperative day. Pain during splint removal was evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS). Complications of hemorrhage, septal hematoma, crusting, mucosal injury, and infection were recorded during splint removal and compared. In the first postoperative month, hemorrhage, crusting, mucosal injury, infection, synechia, and in the second postoperative month, synechia and perforation rates were compared between two groups.

Results: Mucosal crusting was significantly higher in group II during splint removal. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the complication rates and pain scores. Our findings showed no significant difference in pain scores during splint removal and postoperative complications between the two groups except for mucosal crusting.

Conclusion: Based on our findings, although there is no consensus on the optimal time for splint removal, earlier removal of splints can be considered a favorable option after septoplasty operations.

Background: The cuff is a complex structure with many factors affecting it. How much it is affected after repair is still being investigated.

Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze the functional results of individuals who received arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and assess the various factors that could impact these outcomes.

Methods: The study included 57 patients with a mean age of 58.8 years (range: 39-71) who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair between 2013 and 2020, with a minimum of 6 months after the operation. Functional and clinical outcomes of the patients were evaluated using preoperative and postoperative scores (QDASH, ASES, and VAS). The study also analyzed how demographic factors, type and duration of the tear, comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HT), and other pathologies may have affected the patients' scores.

Results: The effect of the operation on the scores in rotator cuff tears was highly significant (P < 0.05). Age, gender, tear size, fatty degeneration, anchor configuration, comorbidities, and additional procedures presented variable values on postoperative scores, but were not statistically significant. The effect of DM and HT on VAS scores was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The results of rotator cuff repair appear to be influenced by several factors, including the sex of the patient, type and duration of tear, comorbidities, and surgical procedures used. Although these factors had an effect on the scores, they were not statistically significant.

Abstract: Tethered cord syndrome is a neurological disorder closely associated with congenital spinal dysraphism. Aberrant dorsal nerve roots may be one of the possible and relatively rare tethering pathologies, especially in the complex form of occult spinal dysraphism such as caudal regression syndrome or split cord malformation. We report an illustrative case of caudal regression syndrome with spinal cord tethering due to a combination of a contiguous bundle of an aberrant dorsal nerve root, and a dorsal-type lipomyelomeningocele, with a thickened filum terminale treated with microneurosurgical untethering.

Background: Tobacco smoking statistics are alarming and the oral mucosa is the first human part of the body that is exposed to the toxic substances of smoking.

Aims: Considering the high prevalence rate of tobacco-associated problems in the oral cavity and few studies on the Iranian population regarding the effects of smoking on the oral cavity, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship between smoking and oral lesions in the Iranian population.

Materials and methods: Observational study. In this observational study, the oral cavities of 200 participants (smokers = 100 and non-smokers = 100) were examined by a trained dental student under the supervision of an oral and maxillofacial medicine expert, and the presence of coated tongue, leukoedema, leukoplakia, smoker's palate, smoker's melanosis, erythroplakia, frictional hyperkeratosis, acute pseudomembranous candidiasis, and erythematous candidiasis were recorded. Xerostomia was evaluated based on participants' self-reporting through a questionnaire. All data were analyzed using T-test, Chi-square test, odd ratio, 95% confidence interval, Fisher's exact test, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.

Results: The results of this study showed smoking is significantly associated with an increased risk of coated tongue (OR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.32-3.54, P = 0.005), smoker's melanosis (OR: 6.176, 95% CI: 3.28-11.62, P = 0.00002), and frictional hyperkeratosis (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 0.68-2.60, P = 0.005). However, no significant association was observed between smoking and leukoedema (OR: 1, 95% CI: 0.51-1.94, P = 1). None of the participants presented smoker's palate, erythroplakia, and candidiasis.

Conclusions: This study's results showed that smokers exhibited a greater chance of developing oral lesions compared to non-smokers.

Background: Orofacial cysts are pathologic cavities that could be symptomatic and may cause facial disfigurement. The only epidemiologic report of such lesions in Southeast Nigeria studied jaw cysts from 1987 to 1996. New studies reflecting recent research findings and classifications on the subject in Southeast Nigeria are lacking.

Aim: To determine the prevalence and distribution of orofacial cysts in a tertiary hospital in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria.

Methods: A 10-year retrospective study of patients with orofacial cysts diagnosed by histology was carried out.

Results: Orofacial cysts constitute 9.5% (85) of 897 orofacial lesions identified. The male-to-female gender ratio was 1.2:1. The mean age (± standard deviation) at the onset of the cystic lesion was 28.58 (±16.98) years. Developmental odontogenic cysts 52.9% (45) and salivary cysts 18.8% (16) were the most common group of orofacial cysts. The most prevalent orofacial cysts were odontogenic keratocysts at 25.9% (22), mucoceles 16.5% (14), and dentigerous cysts 14.1% (12). Straw-colored aspirates 34.8% (16) and dark brown aspirates 28.3% (13) were the predominant cystic contents. The mandible 45.9% (39) and maxilla 27.1% (23) were the commonest sites for orofacial cysts, while the lip 9.4% (8) was the most frequent soft tissue site. A significant association exists between anatomical site and cyst type at a 95% confidence interval with P = 0.000, X2 = 247.17. Unilocular radiolucency 62.5% (20) and multilocular radiolucency 34.4% (11) were the most common radiographic features.

Conclusion: Developmental odontogenic cysts particularly odontogenic keratocysts were most prevalent while mucocele was the most common soft tissue cyst.