Nigerian Postgraduate Medical Journal最新文献

Background: The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) G10398A polymorphism has been associated with bipolar disorder (BD). It leads to an amino acid substitution within NADH dehydrogenase subunit, thereby altering the mitochondrial complex I function. This exploratory case-control study assesses the association of mtDNA G10398A with the risk of BD and its relationship to clinical variables in Indian patients.

Methods: Cases met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition diagnosis of BD-I in remission and had a family history of BD or recurrent unipolar disorder in biological relatives. The healthy controls (HC) had no known illness and were screened negative for Family Interview for Genetic Studies. Participants were assessed using Clinical Pro forma, NIMH-Life Chart Method and Alda lithium response scale. The mtDNA G10398A was assessed with real-time polymerase chain reaction using TaqMan assay.

Results: A total of 82 participants were recruited across cases and controls, with 42 patients (50% with maternal history) and 40 healthy individuals with similar demographic profiles. The mean age of onset was 25.16 (standard deviation [SD] 7.6) years, with illness for 11.59 years (SD: 7.18). Allele A was found in 50% of cases compared to 32.5% HC (odds ratio = 2.08; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.85-5.09). Findings remain non-significant for patients with maternal mood disorders (allele A: 38.9%; 21/42). Cases with allele G had significantly higher body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.008) than those with allele A.

Conclusion: The study adds information on mtDNA 10398A amongst Indian patient samples and healthy individuals. No significant group difference was found with respect to mtDNA G10398A. The positive association of allele G with higher BMI has potential clinical relevance that can be further investigated in larger samples.

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify the factors associated with the outcome of the 2023 diphtheria outbreak in Jigawa State, Nigeria.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted amongst all line-listed diphtheria cases reported from Jigawa State, Nigeria, using the 2023 Integrated Disease and Surveillance Response line list of cases that met the World Health Organization case definition of diphtheria. A total of 245 line-listed cases from January 2023 to December 2023 met the criteria for inclusion in the study. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 22.0 with a P value set at ≤5%. Binary logistic regression was used to identify the independent predictors of the outcome of the 2023 outbreak.

Results: The maximum age of the line-listed cases was 39 years, and the minimum was 1 year with a median of 8 (interquartile range = 5-8) years. More than two-thirds (68.2%) of the cases were ≥5 years of age. More than one-third of the cases (39.6%) were from the northeast senatorial zone of the state. Out of the total 245 cases, 14 died of the disease representing a case fatality rate of 6%, and an attack rate of 3.4 per 100,000 populations. The majority of the cases (95.5%) had fever, cough (81.2%), pharyngitis (86.9%), tonsillitis (96.7%) and laryngitis (82.0%). More diphtheria-related mortalities were recorded amongst cases <5 years of age (7.7%), female cases (5.9%), rural residence (7.7%) and cases from the northeast senatorial zone (8.2%) of the state. Significantly higher mortalities (8.8%, P = 0.003) were recorded amongst cases with nasopharyngitis. The odds of diphtheria-related mortality were higher amongst cases who presented clinically with nasopharyngitis and were 4 times more likely to die (adjusted odds ratio = 3.9; 95% confidence interval = 1.1-14.3) compared with those with no nasopharyngitis.

Conclusions: Significantly higher mortalities were recorded amongst diphtheria cases whose samples were not taken, and those with nasopharyngitis. These findings underscored the importance of improved immunisation uptake, early and prompt case detection, investigation and proper management.

Background: Odontogenic cysts (OCs) arise from the odontogenic epithelium and occur in the tooth-bearing regions of the jaws. Proliferation and/or degeneration of this epithelium lead to OC development.

Aim and objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence, characteristics, distribution and clinicopathological features of OCs and compare with other studies.

Materials and methods: Records of OCs were retrieved, and patient's data, aetiology, clinical features, histopathological distribution, treatment, complications and recurrence were studied.

Results: A total of 218 OCs were studied in 200 patients. The mean age of patients was 35.74 years. The overall sex ratio (male: female) was 1.22:1. Second, third and fourth decades of life were commonly affected. The majority of the patients (85%) reported with a complaint of pain (with or without swelling). Radicular cyst was the most prevalent type (49.55%). The most common site involved was the anterior maxilla (41.75%). Dental complications such as displacement, mobility, discoloration and root resorption were diagnosed in 91 cysts (41.75%). Bony complications such as expansion and perforation were present in 136 cysts (62.38%). Dentition was non-vital in 61.46% of cysts. The most common treatment method performed was combination surgery (enucleation with or without endodontic treatment/extraction and apicoectomy). Recurrence rate was 3.20%.

Conclusion: The prevalence, characteristics and distribution features of OCs in India are similar to those of studies conducted in other parts of the world. There is a broad spectrum of OCs, with some cysts having a propensity for certain age, gender and site, whereas a few cysts have distinct properties to recur and have aggressive and invasive behaviour.

Background: Pre-diabetes is an important risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes and is common in Nigeria. Effective intervention can reverse the underlying pathogenesis of insulin resistance in pre-diabetes. This study aimed to determine and compare the impact of moderate exercise and metformin interventions on insulin resistance among participants with pre-diabetes.

Materials and methods: Using a randomised placebo-controlled design, 54 Nigerians with pre-diabetes were selected using simple random sampling. They were offered metformin, moderate exercise or placebo treatment and followed up for 12 weeks. Insulin resistance was assessed before and after the interventions and the outcome was compared.

Results: Forty-nine participants with pre-diabetes completed the study. Participants in both the exercise and metformin groups had significantly decreased insulin resistance compared to placebo after 12 weeks of intervention. However, there was a decrease in insulin resistance by 77.3% (homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance [HOMA-IR]) and an increase in insulin sensitivity by 81.2% (quantitative insulin sensitivity check index [QUICKI]) in the exercise group. In comparison, participants in the metformin group had a decrease in insulin resistance by 66.3% (HOMA-IR) and an increase in insulin sensitivity by 76.2% (QUICKI).

Conclusion: Amongst Nigerians with pre-diabetes, both moderate exercise and metformin have significantly higher efficacy than placebo in improving insulin resistance. However, moderate exercise improved insulin resistance more than the metformin intervention. Participants in this study need to be followed up for a longer period to assess the long-term effects of these interventions.

Background: Anterior fontanelles (AFs) of healthy newborn infants vary widely in size, this being a function of race, geographical location, gender, birth weight, mode of delivery and gestation. Abnormal variations in AF size portend a serious pathology of the cranium or intracranial structures. The established reference value for normal AF size is, therefore, an essential diagnostic tool. This study was conducted to determine the mean AF size and factors that are associated with its variability among apparently healthy term neonates in Lokoja, North Central Nigeria.

Methods: AF size was measured in 200 healthy inborn term neonates between 24 and 48 h post-delivery using a modified version of Mattur's method. Other parameters measured were head circumference, birth weight and length. Relevant statistical methods were used for data analysis, and P < 0.05 at a confidence interval of 95% was considered statistically significant.

Results: Eighty-six (43%) of the babies were males, and the mean birth weight and gestation were 3.09 (0.37) kg and 38.8 (1.2) weeks, respectively. Majority (72%) were delivered spontaneously per vagina. The mean (± SD) AF size of the study neonates was 2.62 (0.72) cm (2.53 [0.61] cm in males and 2.69 [0.79] cm in females). Neither gender nor mode of delivery affected AF size significantly. There was no significant correlation between AF size and occipitofrontal circumference.

Conclusion: AF size for term babies in our hospital differs from AF sizes reported from other parts of the world, further reiterating the utility of local/regional neonatal AF reference values.

Context: The mucociliary clearance system is an important component in the prevention of chronic inflammation of the nasal and paranasal sinus.

Aim: The study aims to establish the normal values of mucociliary clearance in our region and to study the variation in mucociliary activity in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis in Ilorin, North-central Nigeria.

Settings and design: This was a prospective, cross-sectional study using consecutive consenting participants in both the control and study groups carried out at both family medicine and otorhinolaryngology clinics among patients attending the clinics.

Subjects and methods: After ethical approval was sought, informed consent was obtained from patients, a modified version of the validated health questionnaire was filled, semi-structured questionnaires were also filled after which patient undergo anterior rhinoscopy, nasal patency test and spirometry was done. The saccharine test has been used to measure nasal-mucociliary clearance time in the past.

Statistical analysis: All information were entered into SPSS version 20 and analysed descriptively, and results were presented in tables and figures.

Results: Consecutive consenting 125 patients with rhinosinusitis (study group) and those without rhinosinusitis (control group) underwent naso-mucociliary clearance test. There were 34 males and 91 females with a male:female ratio of 1:2.6 among the study group and 55 males and 70 females with a male:female ratio of 1:1.3 for the control group. The age range was from 18 to 68 years with 18-40 years constituting the modal age group. The mean age for the studied group was 35.7 years while that of the control group was 33.1 years. The mean naso-mucociliary clearance time among the study group was 35.1 min standard deviation (SD = 12.32 ± 1.63), while among the control group, it was 14.8 min (SD = 5.59 ± 0.43).

Conclusion: Compared to the control group, there was a roughly 200% prolonged increase in the duration of naso-mucociliary clearance time among patients with rhinosinusitis. There was also a positive correlation with increasing age. Future studies comparing the pre-operative and post-operative treatment of rhinosinusitis will contribute to knowledge.

Background: Hypertension is a significant global public health concern, with unique risk factors affecting those in the banking sector due to their work environment. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hypertension among bank employees and identify specific contributing risk factors.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey of 250 bank employees used pretested structured questionnaires. Various measurements, including body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, lipid profile parameters and cardiovascular events, were recorded. Data were analysed using SPSS software. Categorical variables are presented as frequencies and percentages. Binary logistic regression was employed to identify independent predictors of hypertension (P < 0.05).

Results: The study participants had a mean age of 37.56 ± 8.98, with 54.5% being female. The majority (98.8%) had tertiary education, and 94.7% resided in urban areas. The prevalence of hypertension was 33.3%. Higher BMI is significantly associated with increased odds of hypertension. For each unit increase in BMI, the odds of having hypertension are approximately 1.98 times higher. Hypertension was also significantly more prevalent in those participants with prior hypertension diagnosis, those with a family history of hypertension, smokers and those who added salt to their food on the table (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The alarmingly high prevalence of hypertension underscores the need for targeted intervention and health promotion initiatives. With recognised risk factors, emphasis must be placed on the importance of lifestyle modifications and workplace wellness programmes to mitigate the burden of hypertension.

Context: Standard-setting procedures assess candidates' competence in an examination. Different standard-setting methods produce different pass scores, and no gold standard exists currently. The quality of the standard-setting process is critical in medical examinations where true competency needs to be determined for safe medical practice.

Aims: This study assessed the standard-setting methods the college uses to determine the pass scores in the various parts of the fellowship examinations and compared these methods with the arbitrary 50% previously used.

Settings and design: A cross-sectional comparative study to assess the standard-setting methods adopted, which was applied to the September/October/November 2023 fellowship examinations.

Methods: This was a total population survey involving the 16 faculties of the College. Secondary data from a compilation of approved results was used.

Data analysis: Descriptive and analytical statistics in Microsoft Excel program.

Results: The methods for standard-setting adopted by the college were assessed, and their mean pass scores were analysed. The mean pass score for the primary multiple choice questions examinations was 46.7%, lower than the previously used arbitrary 50% mark, and this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The mean pass scores for the other examinations were higher than the previously used arbitrary 50% mark, but these differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: Implementation of the approved standard-setting methods can be improved with more training and retraining of faculties and examiners so that results that are consistent with their purpose, and that align well with other measures of competency can be produced.

Background: Fibroadenoma (FA) is documented as the most common benign breast disease typically presenting as a lump. A wide variety of other diseases including breast cancer can similarly present as lumps hence the need for further differentiation. Ultrasonography plays a vital role in the evaluation and treatment of breast lumps with histological analysis as the gold standard.

Objective: This study compared the physical and sonographic features of the breast in women with FA and women with breast lumps due to other diseases.

Materials and methods: This is a single-centre comparative study. Clinical and sonographic breast evaluations of the recruited patients with lumps were done and reported using the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System score. The lumps were biopsied, and histological diagnosis was documented. Clinical and imaging features of the breasts of women with FA were then compared with those of women with lumps from other breast diseases, and collated data were analysed using SPSS Statistical version 23.0.

Results: Data from 118 subjects (59 in each group) were used for this study. There was a significant difference in the physical and sonographic appearance of FA concerning the patient's age, parity, change in lesion size, perilesional architecture, echogenicity, borders, capsule and background breast density. No FA was found in women with less dense breasts.

Conclusion: The sonographic features of breasts showed some differences from the corresponding features of FA and other breast lesions. This has the potential to increase the efficiency of pre-operative diagnosis of FA and could be further applied in developing diagnostic criteria for FA in our environment.

Background: Adequate levels of calcium, phosphate and Vitamin D are essential for bone physiology and growth, as well as preventing some common childhood illnesses. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of the deficiencies of these nutrients and factors affecting their serum levels in Nigerian children.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that involved 220 apparently healthy children aged 6-24 months in Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. Serum calcium and phosphate were assayed using the calorimetric method, while Vitamin D (25-OH Vitamin D) was assayed with ELISA.

Results: The mean (±standard deviation [SD]) serum Vitamin D level was 55.07 ± 16.53 ng/ml, while the mean (±SD) serum calcium and phosphate were 2.27 ± 0.13 mmol/l and 1.28 ± 0.18 mmol/l, respectively. Eleven (5%) of the children had hypovitaminosis D, 23 (10.5%) had hypocalcaemia and 12 (5.5%) had hypophosphataemia. Factors found to be significantly associated with hypovitaminosis D included low consumption of milk and the use of a hijab veil, while malnutrition (both undernutrition and overnutrition) was significantly associated with hypocalcaemia.

Conclusion: The prevalence levels of hypovitaminosis D and hypophosphataemia were low, while hypocalcaemia was more common. Low milk consumption and use of a hijab veil were risk factors for hypovitaminosis D, while malnutrition was a risk factor for hypocalcaemia. Malnourished children, especially overnourished ones, should be routinely screened for hypocalcaemia because of its high prevalence among them.