ABSTRACT
Background: Pentazocine abuse in patients with Sickle cell disease (SCD) has not received adequate attention in Nigeria. Many of these SCD patients have had their conditions unduly worsened and quality of life severely breached by complications of pentazocine abuse. Despite the growing incidence observed in clinical practice and palpable tendency to degenerate further, given the current ease of access to the drug in our environment, it has remained underreported. This study evaluated the myriad physical complications and socioeconomic burden of pentazocine abuse on patients with SCD. Method: This study was carried out on SCD patients (attending the adult hematology clinic) who abused parenteral pentazocine. Data were obtained mainly from detailed history and physical examination. The findings were analysed accordingly. Results: Eleven SCD patients who abused pentazocine were recruited and comprised of 8 males (72.7%) and 3 females (27.3%). Their mean age was 34±6 years, 81.8% were not married, 81.8% had some kind of job and 22.2% of these suffered loss of job. The mean duration of pentazocine abuse was 7.4±3.7 years while mean dose of pentazocine injected by the study participants on daily basis was 279±228 mg; 63.6% needed no prescription papers to purchase the drug and 36.4% used forged prescription papers. The mean monthly expenditure on pentazocine was NGN 27,000±22,000 (Nigerian Naira). It was also noted that 18.2% (2) of the study participants abused other drugs alongside pentazocine. As high as 90.9% (10) had scars and/or ulcers; 63.6% (7) developed lymphedema while 90.9% (10) had some degree of fibrous myopathy. Majority (63.6%) of the participants had fixed contractures and/or deformities of their limbs (and digits) with varying degrees of loss of joint movement and/or gait abnormalities observed in 72.7% (8) of participants. Conclusion: We advocate vigorous sensitization of both healthcare givers and SCD patients on the risk and complications (consequences) of pentazocine abuse. This is to underscore the need for more caution with pentazocine prescription and use. As much as possible oral formulations, when necessary, should be recommended since most of the observed physical complications were apparently due to the parenteral route of administration of the drug. Finally, any SCD patient presenting with the highlighted physical complications must be considered as a case of pentazocine abuse until proven otherwise.
ABSTRACT
Background:The increased need of safe blood and blood products and their unavailability in hospitals remain a formidable challenge faced by healthcare providers in developing countries such as Nigeria.Aim: To determine the level of awareness of blood donation among tertiary institution undergraduates in an urban setting of Southern Nigeria. Methodology: Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information from undergraduates of the University of Benin and Delta State University both in southern Nigeria. Data analysis was done using SPSS software version 16. Results: A total of 396 people were surveyed. Of these; 370 (93.4) were aware that blood can be donated; while 172 (43.4) were aware of the WHO policy on blood donation. Three hundred and forty-one (86.1) were aware that blood donation should be nationally coordinated while 306(77.3) did not agree that medical workers have created enough awareness on blood donation. Two hundred and twenty-two (56.1) were aware that blood donation should be voluntary and 209(52.8) were willing to donate blood if there is an attached financial reward. Conclusion:This study has revealed a high level of awareness on blood donation among tertiary institution undergraduates in Southern Nigeria and have demonstrated a poor level of awareness of the WHO policy on blood donation
Subject(s)
Awareness , Blood Donors , StudentsABSTRACT
This is a report of multiple myeloma in first cousins from the Niger delta region of Nigeria.The first patient was a 60-year-old Negroid male with a 3-month history of productive cough; chest pain; fever and 1 month history of weight loss. The diagnosis was confirmed by greater than 50neoplastic plasma cells in the bone marrow; monoclonal band on electrophoresis and lytic bone lesions in the skull. He was treated with cyclophosphamide; prednisolone and allopurinol and received a total of 4 pints of packed cells. His PCV improved subsequently.The second patient was a 54-year-old Negroid housewife. She presented with a six-month history of bone pains and weakness in both lower limbs. She also had cough productive of mucoid sputum. The diagnosis of MM was confirmed by the presence of more than 30neoplastic plasma cells in the bone marrow; a monoclonal band on serum electrophoresis and lytic lesions in the pelvic bones on skeletal survey. She had three 28-day cycles of vincristine; adriamycin and dexamethasone (VAD). She was also transfused with 3 pints of packed cells. We conclude that while we cannot rule out the effect of environmental factors in pathogenesis of MM in our patients; the occurrence of MM in first cousins is suggestive of a possible familial origin. We advocate screening of urine for Bence Jones protein and serum electrophoresis for relatives of patients with MM; especially those from the Niger Delta region
Subject(s)
Multiple Myeloma/diagnosis , Multiple Myeloma/therapyABSTRACT
This is a report of multiple myeloma in first cousins from the Niger delta region of Nigeria.The first patient was a 60-year-old Negroid male with a 3-month history of productive cough; chest pain; fever and 1 month history of weight loss. The diagnosis was confirmed by greater than 50neoplastic plasma cells in the bone marrow; monoclonal band on electrophoresis and lytic bone lesions in the skull. He was treated with cyclophosphamide; prednisolone and allopurinol and received a total of 4 pints of packed cells. His PCV improved subsequently.The second patient was a 54-year-old Negroid housewife. She presented with a six-month history of bone pains and weakness in both lower limbs. She also had cough productive of mucoid sputum. The diagnosis of MM was confirmed by the presence of more than 30neoplastic plasma cells in the bone marrow; a monoclonal band on serum electrophoresis and lytic lesions in the pelvic bones on skeletal survey. She had three 28-day cycles of vincristine; adriamycin and dexamethasone (VAD). She was also transfused with 3 pints of packed cells. We conclude that while we cannot rule out the effect of environmental factors in pathogenesis of MM in our patients; the occurrence of MM in first cousins is suggestive of a possible familial origin. We advocate screening of urine for Bence Jones protein and serum electrophoresis for relatives of patients with MM; especially those from the Niger Delta region