Anti-Retroviral Therapy Induced Diabetes in a Nigerian

Background:Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) using Highly Active Anti-retroviral Therapy (HAART) has led to considerable reduction in morbidity and mortality associated with human Immune deficiency virus (HIV) infection.This has led to increased life expectancy in HIV infected individuals on one hand; and side effects of chronic administration of these drugs on the other. One of such untoward effects is the association of anti-retroviral drugs especially the protease inhibitors (PI's) with metabolic derangements such as dyslipi- daemia; lipodystrophy; insulin resistance and rarely Diabetes mellitus. Although there is extensive literature on this dysmetabolic syndrome in the Western World; there is to our knowledge no previous report from Nigeria. Objective: to report a case of diabetes mellitus following the initiation of anti-retroviral therapy. Methods: a case report of diabetes mellitus induced by anti-retroviral therapy in a 48 year old Nigerian male. Conclusion: Awareness and high index of suspicion is required to identify the metabolic complications of ART

Cervical Cancer Management in Zaria; Nigeria

The paper's objective was to identify factors influencing cervical cancer management in Zaria with a view to improving the outcome of management. Case notes of patients managed for cervical cancer in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH); Zaria between January 1 1999 and December 31 2003; were retrieved and relevant information extracted and analyzed using MINITAB statistical software. There were 70 women with cervical cancer managed during the study period and their mean age was 47.61 years. Risk factors included high parity (mean = 7.4); low age at first coitus (mean = 14.62 years); multiple sex partners (81.63in polygamous marriages; 42.55with multiple marriages); and smoking (15.09). Poor prognostic factors included delayed presentation - mean duration of symptoms was 12.59 months and only 4.35presented with stage I disease. Lack of funds for investigations and treatment was also a risk factor for poor prognosis (only 25of the 24 patients who needed blood transfusion were adequately transfused and only 21.74of all patients had complete treatment). The paper concludes that increased public awareness about cervical cancer is needed to minimise risk factors and encourage early presentation. Governments and other funding agencies need to devote more funds for cervical cancer prevention; screening and treatment