ABSTRACT
Introduction: Despite the implementation of complex interventions, ICU mortality remains high and more so in developing countries. The demand for critical care in Sub-Saharan Africa is more than ever before as the region experiences a double burden of rising rates of non-communicable diseases (NCD) in the background battle of combating infectious diseases. Limited studies in Tanzania have reported varying factors associated with markedly high rates of ICU mortality. Investigating the burden of ICU care remains crucial in providing insights into the effectiveness and challenges of critical care delivery. Material and Methods: A single-center retrospective study that reviewed records of all medically admitted patients admitted to the ICU of the Aga Khan Hospital, Dar-es-Salaam, from 1st October 2018 to 30th April 2023. To define the population in the study, we used descriptive statistics. Patients' outcomes were categorized based on ICU survival. Binary logistic regression was run (at 95% CI and p-value < 0.05) to identify the determinants for ICU mortality. Results: Medical records of 717 patients were reviewed. The cohort was male (n=472,65.8%) and African predominant (n=471,65.7%) with a median age of 58 years (IQR 45.0-71.0). 17.9% of patients did not survive. The highest mortality was noted amongst patients with septic shock (29.3%). The lowest survival was noted amongst patients requiring three organ support (n=12,2.1%). Advanced age (OR 1.02,CI 1.00-1.04), having more than three underlying comorbidities (OR 2.50,CI 1.96-6.60), use of inotropic support (OR 3.58,CI 1.89-6.80) and mechanical ventilation (OR 9.11,CI 4.72-18.11) showed association with increased risk for mortality in ICU. Conclusion: The study indicated a much lower ICU mortality rate compared to similar studies conducted in other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. Advanced age, underlying multiple comorbidities and organ support were associated with ICU mortality. Large multi-center studies are needed to highlight the true burden of critical care illness in Tanzania.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a minimally-invasive lifesaving intervention for these patients; however, acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious complication of the procedure commonly occurring due to radiocontrast-induced nephropathy. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional analytical study was carried out at the Aga Khan Hospital, Dar es Salaam (AKH,D), Tanzania. A total of 227 adults who underwent a percutaneous coronary intervention from August 2014 to December 2020 were enrolled. The AKI was defined based on an increase in absolute and rise in percentage creatinine using the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN), and contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) by the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was utilized to analyze factors associated with AKI and the outcomes of these patients. RESULTS: Twenty-two of the 227 (9.7%) participants sustained AKI. The majority of the study population was male and of Asian ethnicity. No statistically significant factors were associated with AKI. The in-hospital mortality rate was 9% for the AKI versus 2% for non-AKI groups. The AKI group had a longer hospital stay and required ICU care and organ support including hemodialysis. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly 1-in-10 patients undergoing PCI are likely to develop AKI. The in-hospital mortality rate is x4.5 times higher for patients with AKI post-PCI compared to those without AKI. Further larger studies are recommended to determine factors associated with AKI in this population.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION: Low and middle-income countries (LMIC) have a considerable burden of neurological disorders. Available profile of neurological disorders in our environment is biased towards neurological admissions. There is a paucity of data on out-patient neurological conditions in sub-Saharan Africa. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency and demographic data of neurological illnesses being managed at the adult out-patient neurology clinic of the Aga Khan Hospital, Dar es Salaam (AKHD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The electronic medical records of all cases with neurological diseases who presented to the adult neurology clinic of the AKHD between January 2018, and December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Neurological disorders are categorized according to the international classification of diseases version-11(ICD-11). RESULTS: Of the 1186 patients seen in a period of 2 years, there were 597 (50.4%) females and 588(49.6%) males, with median age (IQR) of 38 (30.0-52.0) and 42 (33.0-54.5) years respectively (p = 0.001). Headache disorders (27.0%); disorders of the nerve root, plexus or peripheral nerves (23.4%); epilepsy (9.3%), cerebrovascular disorders (8.9%); movement disorders (3.6%) and disorders of cognition (3.5%) were the primary neurological conditions encountered. Musculoskeletal disorders (7.5%) and mental/behavioral disorders (5.4%) were other conditions seen in the clinic. CONCLUSION: The pattern of neurological disorders in this cohort mirrors that of high-income countries. However, the manpower to tackle these conditions pales in comparison. Increasing the neurology workforce and paying extra attention to non-communicable disorders in SSA is advocated.
