Oesophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis: a rare endoscopic finding.

Oesophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis is an uncommon condition, characterized by multiple small rounded cavities seen in the oesophageal wall during oesophagogastroduodenoscopy. It is often associated with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, achalasia, oesophageal candidiasis and diabetes mellitus. We report a 40 year old Nigerian man who presented with recurrent dysphagia and endoscopic findings typical of oesophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis. The patient was managed medically with resolution of the dysphagia. This report highlights the occurrence of this rare and benign cause of dysphagia in Nigeria. FUNDING: None declared.

Prevalence of minimal hepatic encephalopathy among patients with chronic liver disease in Ilorin, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Minimal Hepatic encephalopathy is the mildest form of Hepatic Encephalopathy which presents with significant cognitive impairment and affectation of activities of daily living. The literature is scanty on the prevalence of minimal hepatic encephalopathy in Nigerians with chronic liver disease. AIM: This study aimed at determining the prevalence of minimal hepatic encephalopathy among patients with chronic liver disease using neuro-psychometric tests. METHODS: The study was a hospital-based cross-sectional study carried out at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin from February 2015 to February 2016. Chronic liver disease was diagnosed with the presence of peripheral stigmata of liver disease, liver biochemistry, prothrombin time, and sonographic findings in keeping with liver disease. Minimal hepatic encephalopathy was diagnosed using number connection tests-A and B for patients who were educated while Line tracing test and constructional dyspraxia were used for patients without any formal education. Data obtained were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 computer software package. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients with chronic liver disease were recruited. The mean age (SD) of the patients was 47.1±14.6 yrs, and the 30-39 and 40-49 yrs age groups each had the highest frequency of 21(32.8%). There were 54 (84.4%) males and 10 (15.6%) females. The prevalence of Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy was 43.8%. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy in this study was similar to previous studies. Significant number of patients with minimal HE were in Child-Pugh class B and C. FUNDING: None.

The impacts of state and trait anxiety as moderated by perceived social support among Nigerian patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the levels of state and trait anxiety and determine their relationships with perceived social support among Nigerian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 50 patients satisfying the 2010 American College of Rheumatology/European League against Rheumatism Classification Criteria for RA was conducted. Anxiety was assessed using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), perceived social support by the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL), health-related quality of life (HRQoL) by the Medical Outcome Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and disability by the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI). RESULTS: The mean state anxiety (STAI-S), trait anxiety (STAI-T) and ISEL scores among the patients were 35.2 ±10.2, 36.7 ±8.8 and 87.2 ±21.2 respectively. Pathological degrees of state and trait anxiety were found among 7 (14%) and 5 (10.4%) patients respectively. There was a negative correlation between the STAI-T score and the ISEL score (r = -0.362, p = 0.011). However, the correlation between STAI-S and ISEL was not statistically significant (r = -0.193, p = 0.179). A moderate-to-high correlation was found between each of STAI-S and STAI-T and all subscales and component summaries of the SF-36. ISEL score correlated significantly with role emotional (r = 0.377, p = 0.008), mental health (r = 0.482, p ≤ 0.001) and bodily pain (r = 0.320, p = 0.025) domains and the mental component summary (r = 0.380, p = 0.007) of SF-36. HAQ-DI correlated strongly with both STAI-S (r = 0.735, p ≤ 0.001) and STAI-T (r = 0.575, p ≤ 0.001) but not with ISEL. CONCLUSIONS: State and trait anxiety correlate negatively with all aspects of HRQoL and disability, and there is a notable relationship between perceived social support and trait anxiety as well as the mental aspect of HRQoL.