Recently Published Articles
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis in a New Rheumatology Clinic in Nigeria
Abstract:
To describe the frequency, clinico-laboratory characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Lagos, Nigeria. This is a retrospective review of patients with JIA seen over a five-year period at the rheumatology clinic and children ward of LASUTH. We reviewed the folders of 28 patients from our unit records. The demographics, baseline clinical and laboratory characteristics, treatment given and patient outcomes were extracted and analyzed. A total of 28 patients with JIA were managed over the study period. Twenty one (75%) patients among our JIA cases were female and the mean age at presentation was ...
Prevalence of Psychological Distress in Suriname In Urban and Rural Areas: The Suriname Health Study
Abstract:
To describe the presence of mental distress in a representative sample of the Surinamese ethnic groups in the population, across urban and rural areas. The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale was applied to data from the Suriname Health Study (n=5,434 (15 to 65 years)) designed according to WHO Steps guidelines,to determine prevalences for mental distress in all living areas. Calculations were made in subgroups of sex, age, ethnicity, education, income, marital and employment status. The Odds Ratio (OR) for Sex and Ethnicity was estimated for mild-moderate and severe mental distress. An overall prevalence of 3.8% (95%CI, 3.3-4.4) was observed for severe mental distress, 4.9% (95%CI, 4...
Suboccipital Decompression for Occipital Neuralgia
Abstract:
Cervicogenic headaches are a significant cause of head and neck pain, and occipital neuralgia is a common component of these cervicogenic headaches. Occipital injections are commonly performed at the occipital ridge, but this site does not address more proximal entrapments of the nerve in the suboccipital region. Because of the potentially dangerous structures in this region, clinicians have tended to avoid the suboccipital region, despite the pathologies seen in this region. This article discusses the pathology of the region, the alternative techniques, and the novel interventional approach developed for this region, specifically the “Stealth” approach of occipital decompression
Combined Therapy Versus Usual Care in the Treatment of Depressed Cancer Patients with Pain
Abstract:
To compare Brief Adlerian Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (B-APP) plus venlafaxine versus venlafaxine plus usual care on pain and depressive symptomatology of depressed patients with cancer pain. A total of 100 patients with pain and mood depression, according to DSM IV-TR, were randomized to receive treatment with B-APP plus venlafaxine (n=51) or venlafaxine plus usual care (n=49). The sample was evaluated at baseline and after 10 weeks with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS); the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS); the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS); the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI); the Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale (Mini-MAC); the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the Dosage Record and Trea...
Left Brachiocephalic Vessel Venous Tumor Thrombus in a Laryngeal Cancer Patient Detected with PET-CT Imaging
Abstract:
Accurate diagnosis of tumor thrombus and distinguishing benign thrombus from tumor thrombus avoid unnecessary anticoagulant treatment of oncological patients and it is important for patient management. In this case report, the role of FDG PET/CT in the presentation of a suspicious tumor thrombus in the left brachiocephalic vein of a patient with known laryngeal carcinoma and leiomyosarcoma diagnosis is presented.
Dental Sinus Infections- Why are we Still Missing the Well Documented Diagnosis?
Abstract:
Dental infections, salivary gland lesions, neoplasms and developmental abnormalities can cause oral cutaneous fistulae, fistulae of the neck and intraoral fistulae. Published case reports deliver the same message; that these lesions are misdiagnosed and treated late and ineffectively and this remains a significant on-going problem. It is important to reiterate the management and diagnosis of this condition, despite the fact that it is already well documented in the current literature as patients are still being subjected to unnecessary treatment. We performed a retrospective review of 5 consecutive dental sinus infections between June 2013 and January 2014 that were misdiagnosed initially....
Coexistence of Mature Cystic Teratoma and Endometrioma in an Ovarian Cyst
Abstract:
A rare association mature cystic teratoma (MCT) with endometrioma in the left ovary is reported in English literature. Coexistence MCT and endometrioma in the same ovary is extremely rare and its diagnostic is a challenge clinically and radiologically. To our knowledge we report the third case coexistence of a nonneoplastic endometrioma and benign neoplastic mature cystic teratoma in ovary.
Signal Transduction of hCG Induces Decidualization and Uterine Receptivity
Abstract:
All independent experimental data on epithelial and glandular cells lines of human endometrium support the evidence for a rapid production of eicosanoids from the LH/hCG receptors when exposed to the hCG hormone. Prostaglandins rapidly act on the surrounding endometrial stromal cells throughout the adenylyl cyclase enzyme leading to very large amounts of cAMP and angiogenic factors (VEGF) production. The cAMP is the most important intracellular second messenger and along with progesterone accomplishes the full process of decidualization and acquisition of receptivity after estrogenic priming of the endometrium. The status of uterine receptivity lasts few days only and timing for successful embryo-signal transduction system activation by the endometrium is probably short. In absence of in vivo embryonic signals it is impossible to predict, on individual bases, how the intensity of all the complex interlinked molecular changes of decidualization might ever be in cas...
Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B With Tenofovir At The University Teaching Hospital Campus of Lome (Togo)
Abstract:
To describe the clinical, biological and evolutionary features of mono infected patients treated with tenofovir in Togo. It is a descriptive, prospective study. Patients were treated with Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF). The inclusion criteria were: active chronic HBV (HBs Ag-positive for more than 6 months, high aminotransferases, the HBV –DNA ≥ 2000 IU / ml for HBeAg negative or ≥ 20 000 IU / ml for HBeAg positive and significant fibrosis) and absence of HCV, HDV, or co-infection HIV. Among patients with HBV in our department, only 10.68% were treated with TDF. The mean age of patients was 33.01±9.81years. There was male predominance (68%). The circumstances of discovery were mainly durin...
Relationships Between the Level of Social Competence and Work-Related Behaviors in a Group of Physicians, Nurses, and Paramedics
Abstract:
The functioning of medical professionals in their work environment is determined by many factors, among them social competence. was toanalyze how social competence is related to behaviors and experiences in the context of burnout syndrome, experienced by physicians, nurses, and paramedics in Poland with regard to sociodemographic factors. The study was conducted in 2015-2016. It involved 432 medical workers, including 29.7% physicians, 36.96% nurses, and 33.3% paramedics. The median age was 38.00. Over half (38.9%) of those surveyed were employed in hospitals, 6.9% in primary care centers, 18.3% in emergency ambulance service. The Social Competence Questionnaire (SCQ), the Work-Related Behaviour and Experience Patterns - AVEM questionnaire, and a self-developed questio...