Clinical Manifestations of Eosinophilic Meningitis Due to Infection with Angiostrongylus cantonensis in Children

Eosinophilic meningitis, caused by the nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis, is prevalent in northeastern Thailand, most commonly in adults. Data regarding clinical manifestations of this condition in children is limited and may be different those in adults. A chart review was done on 19 eosinophilic meningitis patients aged less than 15 years in Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. Clinical manifestations and outcomes were reported using descriptive statistics. All patients had presented with severe headache. Most patients were males, had fever, nausea or vomiting, stiffness of the neck, and a history of snail ingestion. Six patients had papilledema or cranial nerve palsies. It was shown that the clinical manifestations of eosinophilic meningitis due to A. cantonensis in children are different from those in adult patients. Fever, nausea, vomiting, hepatomegaly, neck stiffness, and cranial nerve palsies were all more common in children than in adults.

Clinical outcome of hypertensive treated at hypertension clinic, Srinagarind hospital

Background: Hypertension clinic, Srinagarind hospital has established since April 2003. Our aims are to teach medical students in taking care of hypertensive patients and give a comprehensive and holistic care for hypertensive. We would like to evaluate patients’ characteristics and outcome of treatment in our clinic that will be baseline data to and improve our service.Objective: To assess clinical outcome of hypertensive treated at hypertension clinic, Srinagarind hospital.Design: Descriptive studySetting: Hypertension clinic, Srinagarind hospital, Khon Kaen, ThailandPopulation: Patients diagnosed as hypertension and treated at hypertension clinic, Srinagarind hospital for at least one year.Sampling: 100 cases by simple random sampling from 200 populationsTool: Record form and out-patient department recordAnalysis: Descriptive statistics and analytical statisticsResults: There were 100 persons enrolled, 62 female. The mean ages were 59 +17.7 and 57.4 + 10.6 years old in female and male, respectively. The average duration after diagnosis as hypertension was 4.5 years. The mean BMI and mean abdominal circumference in male were 27.2 + 0.6 kg/m2 and 94.8 + 0.8 centimeters, respectively. In female group, both variables were 26.3 + 0.9 kg/m2 and 92.9 + 5.6 centimeters, respectively.  The three most common anti-hypertensive drug uses were ACEI (38%), hydrochlorothiazide (35%), and beta blocker (35%). Side effects were found in 18 patients; ACEI induced cough (10%) was the most common one. Good control of hypertension was achieved in 92 patients with one or two medications. Left ventricular hypertrophy was the most common complication in our studied cases, 20 cases. According to International Diabetes Federation (IDF, 2005) criteria, there were 54 cases met metabolic syndrome criteria. Diabetes mellitus or impaired fasting glucose (IFG) was found in 45 cases.  Conclusion: The control rate of hypertensive patients treated at hypertension clinic, Srinagarind hospital was 92% with one or two antihypertensive drugs. Half of cases were associated with metabolic syndrome and/or diabetes mellitus or IFG.Keywords: outcome, hypertension clinic, essential hypertension

Clinical Outcome of Hypertensive Treated at Hypertension Clinic, Srinagarind Hospital

Background: Hypertension clinic, Srinagarind hospital has established since April 2003. Our aims are to teach medical students in taking care of hypertensive patients and give a comprehensive and holistic care for hypertensive. We would like to evaluate patients’ characteristics and outcome of treatment in our clinic that will be baseline data to and improve our service.Objective: To assess clinical outcome of hypertensive treated at hypertension clinic, Srinagarind hospital.Design: Descriptive studySetting: Hypertension clinic, Srinagarind hospital, Khon Kaen, ThailandPopulation: Patients diagnosed as hypertension and treated at hypertension clinic, Srinagarind hospital for at least one year.Sampling: 100 cases by simple random sampling from 200 populationsTool: Record form and out-patient department recordAnalysis: Descriptive statistics and analytical statisticsResults: There were 100 persons enrolled, 62 female. The mean ages were 59 +17.7 and 57.4 + 10.6 years old in female and male, respectively. The average duration after diagnosis as hypertension was 4.5 years. The mean BMI and mean abdominal circumference in male were 27.2 + 0.6 kg/m2 and 94.8 + 0.8 centimeters, respectively. In female group, both variables were 26.3 + 0.9 kg/m2 and 92.9 + 5.6 centimeters, respectively.  The three most common anti-hypertensive drug uses were ACEI (38%), hydrochlorothiazide (35%), and beta blocker (35%). Side effects were found in 18 patients; ACEI induced cough (10%) was the most common one. Good control of hypertension was achieved in 92 patients with one or two medications. Left ventricular hypertrophy was the most common complication in our studied cases, 20 cases. According to International Diabetes Federation (IDF, 2005) criteria, there were 54 cases met metabolic syndrome criteria. Diabetes mellitus or impaired fasting glucose (IFG) was found in 45 cases. Conclusion: The control rate of hypertensive patients treated at hypertension clinic, Srinagarind hospital was 92% with one or two antihypertensive drugs. Half of cases were associated with metabolic syndrome and/or diabetes mellitus or IFG.Keywords: outcome, hypertension clinic, essential hypertension