Need for age-specific prostate-specific antigen reference intervals in a Nigerian population.

Background: In Nigeria, the diagnostic value of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a matter of debate. PSA levels are known to vary with population, environmental factors, and advancing age. Studies suggest age-specific reference intervals (ASRIs) of PSA value are more accurate than single cut-off PSA value. For ASRIs to be used effectively, reference intervals (RIs) must be fully evaluated. Aim: We determine ASRIs in a Nigerian population. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out from January 2016 to January 2019 among 660 adult Nigerian men aged 30-86 years old in Enugu State. Participants completed questionnaire demographics and previous screening. Age group was the indicator. Among them, a total 24 (3.6%) were excluded. Data from 636 (96.4%) men were analyzed for ASRIs. Estimation of PSA was done as per the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry Guideline. Spearman correlation was used to identify correlates P values < 0.05 which was considered significant. Results: The mean age group was 49.6 ± 10.2 years. ASRIs using 95th percentile, and PSA values in each 10 years groups were 0-1.94 ng/ml (median 0.22), 0-2.52 ng/ml (median 0.42), 0-3.52 ng/ml (median 1.06), 0-4.8 ng/ml (median 2.1), 0-6.95 ng/ml (median 4.1), and 0-5.6 ng/ml (median 2.4), for age groups 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and ≥80 years, respectively. There was positive correlation between PSA and age (r = 0.9915, P < 0.0001). Low income and educational background were more prevalent among the study group. Conclusion: Our study provided the ASRIs in our environment but higher than single cut-off value. The data recommended PSA values should be characterized by age and ethnicity.

Emerging risk factors associated with prevalence of hepatitis c virus infection among Nigerians: Findings from blood donors in an academic hospital, Enugu South-Eastern Nigeria.

AIM: In Nigeria, reports on the prevalence of Hepatitis C risk factors have not been clearly elucidated, we investigate the risk factors that influence the prevalence and how the difference in awareness level of risk factors screening across age groups contributes to the disease. METHODS: A total of 8790 aged 18-55 years old, who attended the Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion Services, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu were screened. Among them, 135 were diagnosed with hepatitis C infection from 1 January 2017 to 1 January 2019. Participants completed a questionnaire related to demographics, risk factors, history of previous medical screening. Age groups, income and education were indicators. Multivariate analyses were used to identify correlates. RESULTS: A total of 135 blood donors (95 males and 40 females) with a mean age of 35.9 ± 10.5 and 36.4 ± 10.7 years respectively were positive for hepatitis C infection, giving overall prevalence (1.5%), injecting drug use (39%), unprotected multiple sex (22.2%), sacrification (14.8%), blood transfusion (11.1%). Multivariate analysis revealed that injecting drug use (P < .0001), unprotected multiple sex (P = .004), sacrification (P = .036) were independent risk factors that influence the prevalence among younger age groups. Blood transfusion was not significant (P = .053) but the mostly accessed. Low income and educational background were significantly more prevalent among the studied group. CONCLUSION: Injecting drug use, multiple sex and sacrification are independent predictors of prevalence of Hepatitis C infection. The early onset of the risk factors among the younger adult clearly underlines the need for early screening and interventions.