Dietary intake, body composition and micronutrient profile of patients on maintenance hemodialysis attending Kiruddu National Referral Hospital, Uganda: A cross sectional study.

Patients on maintenance hemodialysis are at a great risk for altered nutritional status, characterized by protein energy wasting and micronutrient deficiency due to medication interactions and dietary restrictions. This study determined the dietary intake, micronutrient profile and body composition of patients on maintenance hemodialysis at Kiruddu National referral hospital (KNRH), Uganda. A cross sectional study was done among adult CKD patients on maintenance hemodialysis therapy at KNRH. Data concerning patients' demographics, clinical history and dietary intake was obtained using interactive and quantitative food frequency questionnaires. Body composition was obtained using the TANITA BC-351, Japan weighing Bathroom scale and anthropometric measurements using standard methods and procedures. Serum micronutrient profile assessment was done using the COBAS Auto analyzer. Data analysis was done using the SPSS software version 20. T-test was used to make comparisons and logistic regression analysis was done to check for any correlations. A P-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Among the 63 hemodialysis patients, 38% were female, with a median duration of hemodialysis of 12 months and the overall age range of patients was 31-40 years. Majority (92.1%) of the patients had hypertension. Carbohydrates like maize flour were highly consumed, in addition to eggs among the proteins on the daily basis. Fruits and vegetables were not highly consumed. Regarding body composition; 75% of the study participants had normal Body mass Index (BMI), the mean muscle mass was 51.94±8.68, body fat was 15.25±7.35, bone mass was 2.77±0.46 and body water was 62.04±9.06. Patients had deranged micronutrient levels especially for Vitamin D, Potassium and phosphorus. In conclusion, hemodialysis patients at KNRH, have altered nutritional status as evidenced by altered body weight for some patients and deranged micronutrient levels. We recommend that hemodialysis patients should be regularly assessed for nutritional status, appropriately treated and educated about their nutritional status.

Prevalence and predictors of hypertension among adults in Mbarara City, Western Uganda.

OBJECTIVE: The study aim was to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of hypertension among an urban adult population in Mbarara city, Western Uganda. METHODS: We evaluated blood pressure measurements, social demographic and clinical parameters of adults living in Mbarara city, Uganda. These parameters were extracted from medical records of adults who participated in the Uganda World Kidney Day 2020 health screening activities. A total of 302 adults were evaluated for hypertension using the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association 2017 (blood pressure threshold 130/80 mmHg) and International Society of Hypertension 2020 guidelines (threshold 140/90 mmHg). RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 42.5 years (standard deviation: 15.1) and majority were male 195/302 (64.6%). Using American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association 2017 guidelines, 156/302 (51.7%) adults were newly diagnosed with hypertension compared to 68/302 (22.5%) newly diagnosed with hypertension using International Society of Hypertension 2020 guidelines. Only 23/302 (7.6%) were on treatment. Based on American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association 2017 guidelines, age ≥40 years and overweight/obesity were statistically significant predictors of hypertension (p < 0.05 for all) at multivariate analysis. Using the International Society of Hypertension 2020 guidelines, age ≥40 years predicted hypertension. DISCUSSION: The prevalence of hypertension is high among this urban adult population irrespective of the guidelines used, highlighting the need for hypertension prevention interventions.

Brain magnetic resonance imaging findings among children with epilepsy in two urban hospital settings, Kampala-Uganda: a descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions in children worldwide. Its presentation is heterogeneous, with diverse underlying aetiology, clinical presentation, and prognosis. Structural brain abnormalities are among the recognized causes of epilepsy. Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the imaging modality of choice for epilepsy workup. We aimed to determine the prevalence and describe the structural abnormalities identified in the brain MRI studies performed on children with epilepsy from two urban hospitals in Kampala, Uganda. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study performed at two urban hospital MRI centres. The study population was 147 children aged 1 day to 17 years with confirmed epilepsy. Brain MRI was performed for each child and a questionnaire was used to collect clinical data. RESULTS: The prevalence of structural abnormalities among children with epilepsy was 74.15% (109 out of 147). Of these, 68.81% were male, and the rest were female. Among these, the majority, 40.14% (59 of 144) were aged 1 month to 4 years. Acquired structural brain abnormalities were the commonest at 69.22% with hippocampal sclerosis (HS) leading while disorders of cortical development were the most common congenital causes. An abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG) was significant for brain MRI abnormalities among children with epilepsy with 95% of participants with an abnormal EEG study having epileptogenic structural abnormalities detected in their brain MRI studies. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Two-thirds of children with epilepsy had structural brain abnormalities. Abnormal activity in the EEG study was found to positively correlate with abnormal brain MRI findings. As such, EEG study should be considered where possible before MRI studies as a determinant for children with epilepsy who will be having imaging studies done in the Ugandan setting.

Incidence, microbiological aspects and associated risk factors of catheter-related bloodstream infections in adults on chronic haemodialysis at a tertiary hospital in Uganda.

Objectives: The high burden of infectious complications among patients receiving haemodialysis (HD) via central venous catheters increases morbidity and mortality. This study determined the incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs), microbiological profile of causative organisms, and associated predictors in patients on chronic HD. Methods: A prospective single-centre cohort study of 121 adult patients with end-stage kidney disease was conducted from October 2019 to March 2020. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined by the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine predictors of CRBSI. Results: The mean age was 50 (standard deviation 14.9) years and the median duration of follow-up was 69 (interquartile range 23-124) days. At least one CRBSI was recorded for 41% of patients, at a rate of 5.2 infections per 1000 patient-days. Causative organisms were predominantly Gram-negative bacteria (60.3%), and 36.5% of all isolates were multi-drug resistant. Anaemia [hazard ratio (HR) 5.44, P=0.019, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.32-22.48] and previous bloodstream infection [HR 2.47, P=0.028, 95% CI 1.10-5.54] were predictors of CRBSI. Conclusion: The high incidence of CRBSI in patients on chronic HD with predominance of Gram-negative bacteria means that catheter care bundles should include Gram-negative coverage.

International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas: structures, organization, and services for the management of kidney failure in Africa.

Despite positive economic forecasts, stable democracies, and reduced regional conflicts since the turn of the century, Africa continues to be afflicted by poverty, poor infrastructure, and a massive burden of communicable diseases such as HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, and diarrheal illnesses. With the rising prevalence of chronic kidney disease and kidney failure worldwide, these factors continue to hinder the ability to provide kidney care for millions of people on the continent. The International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas project was established to assess the global burden of kidney disease and measure global capacity for kidney replacement therapy (dialysis and kidney transplantation). The aim of this second iteration of the International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas was to evaluate the availability, accessibility, affordability, and quality of kidney care worldwide. We identified several gaps regarding kidney care in Africa, chief of which are (i) severe workforce limitations, especially in terms of the number of nephrologists; (ii) low government funding for kidney care; (iii) limited availability, accessibility, reporting, and quality of provided kidney replacement therapy; and (iv) weak national strategies and advocacy for kidney disease. We also identified that within Africa, the availability and accessibility to kidney replacement therapy vary significantly, with North African countries faring far better than sub-Sahara African countries. The evidence suggests an urgent need to increase the workforce and government funding for kidney care, collect adequate information on the burden of kidney disease from African countries, and develop and implement strategies to enhance disease prevention and control across the continent.

Dyslipidaemia in a Black African diabetic population: burden, pattern and predictors.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to assess the burden, pattern and predictors of dyslipidaemia in 425 adult diabetic patients in Uganda. RESULTS: The median (IQR) age of the study participants was 53 (43.5-62) years with a female majority (283, 66.9%). Dyslipidaemia defined as presence of ≥ 1 lipid abnormalities was observed in 374 (88%) study participants. Collectively, the predictors of dyslipidaemia were: female gender, study site (private hospitals), type of diabetes (type 2 diabetes mellitus), statin therapy, increased body mass index and diastolic blood pressure. Proactive screening of dyslipidaemia and its optimal management using lipid lowering therapy should be emphasised among adult diabetic patients in Uganda.

Access to medicines and diagnostic tests integral in the management of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases in Uganda: insights from the ACCODAD study.

BACKGROUND: Despite the burgeoning burden of diabetes mellitus (DM) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in low and middle income countries (LMIC), access to affordable essential medicines and diagnostic tests for DM and CVD still remain a challenge in clinical practice. The Access to Cardiovascular diseases, Chronic Obstructive pulmonary disease, Diabetes mellitus and Asthma Drugs and diagnostics (ACCODAD) study aimed at providing contemporary information about the availability, cost and affordability of medicines and diagnostic tests integral in the management of DM and CVD in Uganda. METHODS: The study assessed the availability, cost and affordability of 37 medicines and 19 diagnostic tests in 22 public hospitals, 23 private hospitals and 100 private pharmacies in Uganda. Availability expressed as a percentage, median cost of the available lowest priced generic medicine and the diagnostic tests and affordability in terms of the number of days' wages it would cost the least paid public servant to pay for one month of treatment and the diagnostic tests were calculated. RESULTS: The availability of the medicines and diagnostic tests in all the study sites ranged from 20.1% for unfractionated heparin (UFH) to 100% for oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHA) and from 6.8% for microalbuminuria to 100% for urinalysis respectively. The only affordable tests were blood glucose, urinalysis and serum ketone, urea, creatinine and uric acid. Parenteral benzathine penicillin, oral furosemide, glibenclamide, bendrofluazide, atenolol, cardiac aspirin, digoxin, metformin, captopril and nifedipine were the only affordable drugs. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the majority of medicines and diagnostic tests essential in the management of DM and CVD are generally unavailable and unaffordable in Uganda. National strategies promoting improved access to affordable medicines and diagnostic tests and primary prevention measures of DM and CVD should be prioritised in Uganda.

Statin therapy reduces the likelihood of suboptimal blood pressure control among Ugandan adult diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is one of the recognized risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in adult diabetic patients. High prevalence of suboptimal blood pressure (BP) control has been well documented in the majority of studies assessing BP control in diabetic patients in sub-Saharan Africa. In Uganda, there is a dearth of similar studies. This study evaluated the prevalence and correlates of suboptimal BP control in an adult diabetic population in Uganda. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that enrolled 425 eligible ambulatory adult diabetic patients attending three urban diabetic outpatient clinics over 11 months. Data about their sociodemographic characteristics and clinical history were collected using pre-tested questionnaires. Suboptimal BP control was defined according to the 2015 American Diabetes Association standards of diabetes care guideline as BP levels ≥140/90 mmHg. RESULTS: The mean age of the study participants was 52.2±14.4 years, with the majority being females (283, 66.9%). Suboptimal BP control was documented in 192 (45.3%) study participants and was independently associated with the study site (private hospitals; odds ratio 2.01, 95% confidence interval 1.18-3.43, P=0.01) and use of statin therapy (odds ratio 0.5, 95% confidence interval 0.26-0.96, P=0.037). CONCLUSION: Suboptimal BP control was highly prevalent in this study population. Strategies to improve optimal BP control, especially in the private hospitals, and the use of statin therapy should be encouraged in adult diabetic patients.

Frequency and predictors of suboptimal glycemic control in an African diabetic population.

BACKGROUND: Persistent suboptimal glycemic control is invariably associated with onset and progression of acute and chronic diabetic complications in diabetic patients. In Uganda, studies documenting the magnitude and predictors of suboptimal glycemic control in adult ambulatory diabetic patients are limited. This study aimed at determining the frequency and predictors of suboptimal glycemic control in adult diabetic patients attending three urban outpatient diabetic clinics in Uganda. METHODS: In this hospital-based cross-sectional study, eligible ambulatory adult diabetic patients attending outpatient diabetic clinics of three urban hospitals were consecutively enrolled over 11 months. Suboptimal glycemic control was defined as glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level ≥7%. Multivariable analysis was applied to determine the predictors. RESULTS: The mean age of the study participants was 52.2±14.4 years, and the majority of them were females (283, 66.9%). The median (interquartile range) HbA1c level was 9% (6.8%-12.4%). Suboptimal glycemic control was noted in 311 study participants, accounting for 73.52% of the participants. HbA1c levels of 7%-8%, 8.1%-9.9%, and ≥10% were noted in 56 (13.24%), 76 (17.97%), and 179 (42.32%) study participants, respectively. The documented predictors of suboptimal glycemic control were metformin monotherapy (odds ratio: 0.36, 95% confidence interval: 0.21-0.63, p<0.005) and insulin therapy (odds ratio: 2.41, 95% confidence interval: 1.41-4.12, p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Suboptimal glycemic control was highly prevalent in this study population with an association to metformin monotherapy and insulin therapy. Strategies aimed at improving glycemic control in diabetes care in Uganda should be enhanced.

Temporal trends in death causes in adults attending an urban HIV clinic in Uganda: a retrospective chart review.

OBJECTIVE: To study temporal trends of mortality in HIV-infected adults who attended an HIV clinic in Kampala, Uganda, between 2002 and 2012. DESIGN: Descriptive retrospective study. METHODS: Two doctors independently reviewed the clinic database that contained information derived from the clinic files and assigned one or more causes of death to each patient >18 years of age with a known date of death. Four cause-of-death categories were defined: 'communicable conditions and AIDS-defining malignancies', 'chronic non-communicable conditions', 'other non-communicable conditions' and 'unknown'. Trends in cause-of-death categories over time were evaluated using multinomial logistic regression with year of death as an independent continuous variable. RESULTS: 1028 deaths were included; 38% of these individuals were on antiretroviral therapy (ART). The estimated mortality rate dropped from 21.86 deaths/100 person years of follow-up (PYFU) in 2002 to 1.75/100 PYFU in 2012. There was a significant change in causes of death over time (p<0.01). Between 2002 and 2012, the proportion of deaths due to 'communicable conditions and AIDS-defining malignancies' decreased from 84% (95% CI 74% to 90%) to 64% (95% CI 53% to 74%) and the proportion of deaths due to 'chronic non-communicable conditions', 'other non-communicable conditions' and a combination of 'communicable and non-communicable conditions' increased. Tuberculosis (TB) was the main cause of death (34%). Death from TB decreased over time, from 43% (95% CI 32% to 53%) in 2002 to a steady proportion of approximately 25% from 2006 onwards (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Mortality rate decreased over time. The proportion of deaths from communicable conditions and AIDS-defining malignancies decreased and from non-communicable diseases, both chronic and non-chronic, increased. Nevertheless, communicable conditions and AIDS-defining malignancies continued to cause the majority of deaths, with TB as the main cause. Ongoing monitoring of cause of death is warranted and strategies to decrease mortality from TB and other common opportunistic infections are essential.

Vitamin D deficiency and its characteristics among patients with acute stroke at a national referral hospital in Kampala Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with acute stroke and other cardiovascular diseases in the developed world. Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) has been described in some populations in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in spite of adequate sunshine all year round. There is no information on the magnitude of vitamin D deficiency among patients with stroke and other cardiovascular diseases in Uganda or SSA. The aim of this study was to determine the burden and characteristics of vitamin D deficiency among patients with acute stroke, the most common form of cardiovascular events in SSA. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study between October 2012 and March 2013. We consecutively recruited 142 subjects with acute stroke admitted to the medical wards of Mulago hospital. We administered a pre-tested questionnaire to the study participants, and did a detailed physical examination and laboratory evaluation. Serum levels of 25OHD were determined using an electrochemiluminescence assay. Data were analyzed using STATA version 12 software. RESULTS: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (25OHD < 20 ng/ml) was 15 %. Longer hours of sunshine exposure decreased the likelihood vitamin D deficiency significantly (adjusted OR 0.85, p = 0.03). Higher HDL cholesterol had a significant inverse association with vitamin D deficiency (adjusted OR 0.15, p = 0.02). In addition, the likelihood of vitamin D deficiency increased with rising age (adjusted OR 1.03, p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There was a relatively low burden of vitamin D deficiency among patients with acute stroke in Uganda. With increasing longevity and indoor lifestyles vitamin D deficiency may assume a greater role in stroke and other cardiovascular diseases in tropical sub Saharan Africa. Future studies on the mechanisms of vitamin D deficiency and its relationship to outcomes among patients with stroke may be necessary.

Cholestatic hepatic injury due to a thyroid storm: a case report from a resource limited setting.

INTRODUCTION: Thyroid storm is an endocrinological emergency caused by an exacerbation of the hyperthyroid state and is characterized by multi organ dysfunction. Liver dysfunction or injury predominantly of a cholestatic type is one of the atypical manifestations of thyroid storm and has been previously described in literature. However, there have been few published case reports among African patients and from resource limited settings. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 21 year old Ugandan female patient who presented with a thyroid storm due to untreated Graves' disease complicated by cholestatic hepatic injury, congestive heart failure and acute kidney injury. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the varied multi organ dysfunctions seen in a patient with thyroid storm with emphasis on liver injury mainly to increase awareness among clinicians in resource limited settings. Mechanisms of liver injury due to thyroid storm or hyperthyroidism are discussed in the literature review.