ABSTRACT
Introduction: atherosclerosis develops insidiously, offering time and opportunities for early detection. Screening for subclinical atherosclerosis via structural wall changes and flow velocities among apparently healthy adults using carotid ultrasonography may help its early detection, offer timely intervention and reduce morbidity and mortality. Methods: a cross-sectional study of 100 participants with a mean age of 56.1 ± 6.9 years, were enrolled from a community population. Both carotid arteries were examined 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 4-12MHz linear array transducer. Visceral obesity, serum lipids, and blood glucose were also evaluated and correlated with ultrasound findings. Results: the mean CIMT was 0.07 ± 0.02cm and 15% of the participants had increased CIMT. Statistically significance but weak correlations were observed between CIMT and FBG (r = 0.199, p = 0.047), EDV (r =0.204, p= 0.041), PI (r = -0.287, p = 0.004) and RI (r = -0.268, p =0.007). Statistically significance with modest correlations were observed between EDV and PSV (r = 0.48, p = 0.000), PI (r = -0.635, p = 0.000) and RI (r = -0.637, p = 0.000). The PI and RI showed strong correlation with statistical significance (r= 0.972, p = 0.000). Conclusion: statistical significance in the flow velocities, derived flow indices and increased CIMT may be an early indication of subclinical atherosclerosis. Therefore, ultrasonography may facilitate its early detection and possible prevention of complications.
Subject(s)
Atherosclerosis , Carotid Intima-Media Thickness , Adult , Humans , Middle Aged , Cross-Sectional Studies , Nigeria , Carotid Arteries/diagnostic imaging , Ultrasonography , Atherosclerosis/diagnostic imaging , Atherosclerosis/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Background:Dipstickurinalysis is a semi-quantitative examination of the urine, whichcan be utilized as a screening and diagnostic tool in children. It is rapid, sensitive, easy to perform and affordable for the resource-poor environment.Objectives:Todescribe the pattern of urinalysis findings using urinary dipsticks and the determinants of urine abnormality among pupils in primary schools in a semi-urban area.Methods:Apparently healthy 387 pupils were recruited from 10 public and 5 private primary schools in IkenneLocal Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeriausing multi-stage and proportionate sampling techniques. Data on demography, nutritional status and urinary examination were obtained using Interviewer-administered questionnaires, clinical examination and dipstick urinalysis respectively. Results:Dipstick urinalysis revealed the following; urine pH and specific gravity were normal in 98.2% and 100.0% of the pupils respectively. Protein, leukocyteesterase, nitrite, bilirubin, urobilinogen, blood and ketones were detected in 18.1%, 15.8%, 14.2%, 3.3%, 2.1%, 0.8%, and 0.5% respectively. Glucose and ascorbic acid were generally absent in the urinesamples. Female gender significantlycontributed to the pattern of urinalysis(leukocyteesterase and nitrites).Proteinuria was most frequent among the underweight (38/70;54.3%). Urine abnormalities were more prevalent among pupils in public schools compared with private schools though not statistically significant, and not influenced by gender.Conclusion:Asymptomatic proteinuria and urinary tract infection are not uncommon among children. Female gender and socio-economic status play a role in the incidence of the conditions
