Cardiovascular Findings in Adult Patients with Sickle Cell Anaemia in Steady State seen in Calabar, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality linked to multi-systemic complications. With recent improvements in healthcare globally, it is expected that SCA patients in Nigeria will live longer. The cardiovascular complications may thus become prevalent. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients with sickle cell anemia in steady state and 52 controls were recruited. The assessment included history, physical examination, 12-lead resting electrocardiography, 2D, M-Mode and Doppler echocardiography, six-minute walk test and NTerminal pro Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-pro BNP) assay. RESULTS: The mean age of the sickle cell patients was 28.87±7.89 years and most were post-secondary or tertiary institutions. They had faster pulse rates (84.69±9.48 vs75.48±10.35 beats/minute, p=0.000), lower blood pressure (Systolic 112.56 ±10.87 mmHg vs 115.42 ± 14.75mmHg; Diastolic 70.79±9.03mmHg vs 71.27±9.23 mmHg) and lower Body Mass Index (21.55±3.51 vs 24.94±4.56kg/m2; p=0.000). Mean left ventricular (LV) internal diameters in systole and diastole were (3.19 ±0.57cm vs 2.81±0.45 cm; p=0.000) and (4.99±0.69cm vs 4.29±0.56 cm; p=0.00) respectively. Left and right ventricular systolic functions were normal. None of the patients with SCA met the criteria for pulmonary hypertension while 88.89% of those screened using Natriuretic peptide were at risk of developing pulmonary hypertension (NT-proBNP levels ≥ 160pg/ml). Functional status assessed by sixminute walk test was normal (373.00 ±60.40m vs 403.83±72.87 m; but significantly lower than in controls (p= 0.021). CONCLUSION: The cardiovascular system is adversely affected in persons with sickle cell anaemia especially as they grow older. Despite the presence of left ventricular remodeling, the patients with SCA in this study maintained good functional status. Regular cardiovascular assessment is advised.

CONTEXTE: La drépanocytose (SCA) est associée à une morbidité et une mortalité importantes liées à des complications multisystémiques. Avec les récentes améliorations des soins de santé dans le monde, on s'attend à ce que les patients atteints d'ACS au Nigeria vivent plus longtemps. Les complications cardiovasculaires pourraient donc devenir prévalentes. SUJETS ET MÉTHODES: Cinquante-deux patients atteints de drépanocytose à l'état d'équilibre et 52 témoins ont été recrutés. L'éva lua tion c om prena it l'histoire, l'exa m en physique, l'électrocardiographie de repos à 12 dérivations, l'échocardiographie 2D, M-Mode et Doppler, un test de marche de six minutes et un test d'apnée du sommeil. le dosage du NTerminal pro Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-pro BNP). RÉSULTATS: L'âge moyen des patients drépanocytaires était de 28,87±7,89 ans et la plupart étaient issus d'établissements post-secondaires ou tertiaires. Ils avaient un pouls plus rapides (84,69±9,48 vs75,48±10,35 battements/minute, p=0,000), une pression artérielle plus basse (Systolique 112,56 ±10,87 mmHg vs 115,42 ± 14,75 mmHg ; diastolique 70,79±9,03 mmHg vs 71,27±9,23 mmHg) et un indice de masse corporelle plus faible (21,55±3,51 vs 24,94±4,56kg/m2 ; p=0,000). Les diamètres internes moyens du ventricule gauche (VG) en systole et en diastole étaient de (3,19 ±0,57 cm vs 2,81±0,45 cm ; p=0,000) et (4,99±0,69 cm vs 4,29±0,56 cm ; p=0,00) respectivement. Les fonctions systoliques des ventricules gauche et droit étaient normales. Aucun des patients atteints d'ACS ne répondait aux critères d'hypertension pulmonaire, tandis que 88,89 % des patients dépistés à l'aide du peptide natriurétique étaient à risque de développer une hypertension pulmonaire(taux de NT-proBNP ≥160pg/ml). L'état fonctionnel évalué par le test de marche de six minutes était normal (373,00 ±60,40 m vs 403,83±72,87 m ; mais significativement plus faible que chez les témoins (p= 0,021). CONCLUSION: Le système cardiovasculaire est affecté de manière négative chez personnes atteintes de drépanocytose, en particulier lorsqu'elles vieillissent. Malgré la présence d'un remodelage ventriculaire gauche, les patients atteints d'ACS dans cette étude ont conservé un bon état fonctionnel. Une évaluation cardiovasculaire régulière est conseillée. MOTS CLÉS: Fonction ventriculaire, Drépanocytaires adultes, État d'équilibre, Hypertension pulmonaire.

Knowledge of hepatitis B virus infection among traders.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a public health problem in Nigeria, with 13% of its general population having evidence of a previous or current infection. Lack of awareness of HBV, its risk factors, and its consequences are recognized as major deterrents to adopting positive preventive behavior including immunization among HBV high-risk groups. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of HBV infection among traders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A structured KAP questionnaire on HBV infection was administered to traders as part of the activities to mark the World Hepatitis Day in 2014. A score was created for the correct answer to 20 questions. RESULTS: A total of 335 traders were interviewed for this study. The mean age was 33.08 ± 13.8 years and the median age was 29 years. There were 165 males and 170 females. Majority of the traders had secondary education (57.1%) and were of the Ibibio and Igbo tribes. Only 10.4% had HBV vaccination. Only 44.2% of the traders reported having any knowledge of HBV. The most common source for the knowledge was television/radio (25%) and hospitals (22%). The median (interquartile range) of the overall KAP score was low (11, 5-16). The score was least in persons aged 35 years and above, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.33). CONCLUSION: The knowledge of HBV is low among traders in Calabar metropolis. There is need to intensify educational campaigns for the general public.