Prevalence and factors associated with the severity of anaemia among patients on chronic haemodialysis in Lagos, Nigeria

Anaemia is a global public health problem with high mortality and morbidity. It is also a common consequence of chronic kidney disease (CKD). There is a paucity of data on the actual burden of anaemia among patients on chronic haemodialysis (CHD) in Lagos, Nigeria. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with the severity of anaemia among Nigerian patients undergoing chronic haemodialysis. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of adult patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on maintenance haemodialysis at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos. The data extracted from the clinical case files included the bio-demographic and clinical parameters, including the treatment modalities. Results: A total of 92 patients comprising 69 (75%) males and 23 (25.0%) females with the overall mean age of 48.2±14.0 years were included. Hypertension was the commonest aetiology of CKD and the average duration of haemodialysis was 16.6 months. The commonest access route for haemodialysis was a central line while 96.7% and 81.5% received erythropoietin and intravenous iron sucrose respectively. Seventy-three (79.3%) patients have had intra-dialysis blood transfusions in the past. Mild, moderate, and severe anaemia were recorded in 17%, 67%, and 16% respectively. The use of erythropoietin, iron sucrose, and increased frequency of blood transfusions correlated with the severity of anaemia. Conclusion: Anaemia is highly prevalent among patients with CKD on chronic haemodialysis. Increased frequency of blood transfusions, inadequate utilization of erythropoietin, and iron sucrose administration are associated with anaemia severity.

Carotid doppler ultrasonography in patients with co-existing type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension in Nigeria

Background:The co-existence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN) has been rising globally with subclinical atherosclerotic complications. These vascular changes can be detected using carotid ultrasonography. Objectives: To determine and compare the carotid arterial structural wall changes and blood flow velocities of adults with co-existing DM and HTN with age-and sex-matched non-diabetic, non-hypertensive controls. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study of 300 participants comprising 200 adults with co-existing DM and HTN and 100 age-and sex-matched controls was done. Their carotid arteries were examined bilaterally for plaques, carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and flow velocities ­peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), pulsatility index (PI) and resistive index (RI) using 4­12MHz linear array transducer. Visceral obesity and serum lipids were also assessed. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 56.13 ± 6.93 years; they comprised 38% males and 62% females. The subjects' CIMT was statistically significantly higher (p = 0.001) with a three-fold mean increase (45.5%) compared to the controls (13.7%). Lower flow velocities but higher indices were also observed in the subjects. Strong and significant correlations were observed between EDV and PI r =-0.663, p=>0.001), EDV and RI (r = -0.661, p=>0.001) and PI and RI (r =0.988, p= >0.001)among the subjects. Conclusion: Significant reduction in flow velocities with increased CIMT may be an early indication of subclinical atherosclerosis. Therefore, carotid ultrasonography should be mandatory in individuals at risk for early detection and possible prevention of atherosclerotic complications.

Abdominal Masses in Children: A 10-Year Review

Background: Some childhood diseases present with abdominal masses alone or with other constitutional symptoms. The knowledge of the common causes of abdominal masses in children can assist in developing a protocol of management by clinicians.Objective: To describe the aetiology and presentation of abdominal masses in children.Methods: The hospital records of all cases of intra-abdominal masses in children managed between May 1998 and April 2008 were retrieved for analysis. Socio-demographic and clinical data were obtained and analysed using simple descriptive statistics.Results: A total of 93 children were included while those without clinical, radiological and intra-operative evidence of intra-abdominal masses were excluded from the study. There were 49 males (52.7%) and 44 (47.3%) females with male-to-female ratio of 1.1:1. The children were aged 1 day to 14 years; 15 (16.1%) were aged <3 years while 23 (24.7%), 27 (29%) and 14 (15.1%) each were aged 3-6 years, >6-9 years, >9-12 years and >12-14 years. The most common cause of abdominal masses was appendiceal mass/abscess in 29%, followed by hydronephrosis in 22.6% and nephroblastoma in 16.11%. The most common symptoms included abdominal pain (86.0%), fever (46.2%), vomiting (40.9%) and abdominal distension (32.2%). The mortality rate was 13%.Conclusion: Non-malignant conditions were mostly responsible for abdominal masses in children while abdominal pain, fever and vomiting were the leading presentations of abdominal masses in children