Pathological response for neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced breast cancer at NCI, Sudan: 6 years' experience

Breast cancer is the leading cancer in Sudanese females. This study was done to evaluate the clinical response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients treated at National Cancer Institute [NCI] and to compare it with the published literature. This is a retrospective study conducted in National Cancer Institute [NCI], Gezira State, Sudan during the period from April 2005 to August 2011. We studied the data for all patients who have locally advanced breast cancer and treated at NCI during study period. Patients who remained inoperable after treatment were considered as having no response to therapy. Data were introduced and analyzed using SPSS software. Data evaluated includes Patient age, disease stage, chemotherapy regimens, and number of cycles, tumor histology, grade and histopathology after chemotherapy. A total of 110 patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and fulfilled criteria for inclusion during the period 2005 to 2011 were evaluated. Majority of patients were between 30-50 years of age [63%]. Patients who achieved response and had surgery were 65%. Among those who underwent surgery 22% have complete pathological response. Most of patients who achieved complete histopathological response had six cycles of chemotherapy. this study demonstrated that neoadjuvant systemic therapy is an accepted approach for women with locally advanced breast cancer for whom immediate surgery is inappropriate, and we achieved results similar to the international literature

[Health hazards due to shortage of water during summer season in port Sudan town December 2006- December 2008]

PortSudan, the harbour of Sudan is facing a serious problem concerning shortage of water supply. The Town is supplying ships with fresh water against the need of PortSudan town. It has been noticed that the peek of shortage of water supply happens in summer season [66%]. Also the big need to water in summer leads certain practices which affect the quality of water in the town. There are problems of distribution of water through tankers and donkey cars, improper pipe line distribution, as well as different ways of storing water in houses. Bacteriological and chemical tests results revealed pollution with E. coli in shallow wells in Arbaat and open takers in the town as well as during the method of water transpiration and storing in houses. Diseases associated with water shortage in summer showed an abnormal high level on gastroenteritis, diarrhea, hepatitis, dysenteries, poor personal hygiene and even food poisoning. The study recommended that still there is great hope for Nile water to reach PortSudan. However bottle fresh water from North Sudan with subsidized price to fill the gab of shortage of drinking water is carried out in town

Hypertension and obesity in police forces households in Khartoum, Sudan: a pilot report - part of the "police hypertension, diabetes, renal insufficiiency, and thyroid derengements [HyDRIT] study", Sudan

Premature mortality from cardiovascular diseases could be prevented by the effective control of hypertension [HTN]. Excess weight is associated with increased rate of death from all-causes. Nationwide data for the status of hypertension and excess weight in the Sudanese population are not available. All the consenting 426 inhabitants of two police housing-complexes were included. Blood pressure [BP], anthropometric measurements as well as blood samples were taken. Standard interviewing procedures were used to record medical history, socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics. The data was analysed through univariate and multivariate regressions. The overall prevalence of hypertension [based on two BP measurements] was 27%. Less than a third [29.8%] of the hypertensive subjects were aware of their disease. Pharmacotherapy among those aware of their disease was prescribed in 94.1%. However, 59.4% of them were compliant with their prescribed medicines and 28.1% attained effective BP control. Prevalence of hypertension was significantly higher in older individuals [> 50 years of age], overweight [body mass index, [BMI] > 25] and those who had better education [> 10 years of schooling]. The cumulative prevalence of overweight [BMI 25-29.9 kg/m[2]] was 30% while that for obesity [BMI >/= 30 kg/m[2]] was 19.2%. Abdominal obesity was observed in 19.5% of males and 46.2% of females. Overweight subjects were more than twice likely to be hypertensive than their non-overweight counterparts [odds ratio 2.33 [1.49-3.64]]. In the sample examined, the prevalence of hypertension and excess weight seemed to be comparable to other countries; this makes them a public health priority

Diabetes mellitus and overweight in adult police forces households in Khartoum, Sudan: a pilot report

Diabetes mellitus [DM] and obesity are significant global health problems that are on the rise. DM is particularly escalating in the developing world where its major hit is on the middle-aged productive individuals. Epidemiological information about their prevalence, awareness, risk factors, and control is scarce in Africa. The present study was primarily designed to assess such information among Police Forces households, as an identified Sudanese urban population residing in Khartoum. In a pilot survey for the Police Forces Study; all the 436 inhabitants of two police housing complexes were targeted. Of these, 426 [98%] individuals consented to participate in the study. Standard interviewing procedures were used to record medical history and socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics. Blood pressure [BP], anthropometric measurements as well as blood and urine samples to measure glucose, creatinine and thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH] were taken by trained medical students and technicians. The data was analyzed through univariate and multivariate regressions. Out of 436 individuals approached, 426 responded to our questionnaire and 275 underwent blood draws. Of the 426 respondents to the questionnaire 22 [5%] were told to have DM. Of those, 15 [68%] were prescribed blood sugar lowering medicines. Among the latter, 14 were compliant. Of the 275 subjects tested for blood sugar, 9 [3.3%] were labeled [diabetic] by blood sugar of 200 mg/dl or more. Also, there were 11 individuals taking drugs but not tested. Thus, the total number of diabetics in the sample actively examined for DM was 20 of 286 subjects, making a prevalence rate of 6.99%. Six out of the 20 [30%] diabetics where unaware of their diagnosis. Seventeen of the 20 diabetics had a body mass index [BMI] measurements. Thirteen [76.5%] had a BMI > 25 and 4 [23%] had BMI < 25. Six out of 12 diabetic males [50%] and 4 out of 8 [50%] females had abdominal obesity [waist>102 cm for males, >88 cm for females]. Ten out of 20 diabetics [50%] were also hypertensive. Eight out of 17 [47.1%] hypertensive diabetics were prescribed and compliant with blood pressure lowering medicines, however, none of those had their blood pressure controlled to <130/80. Thyroid studies among all study participants revealed hypothyroidism in four females and hyperthyroidism in a single male. The prevalence of diabetes, overweight and abdominal obesity seem to be comparable to other African countries. In this population, DM prevalence is above that is projected by the WHO for Sudan. These results render diabetes and obesity a public health priority