Brachial circumference as an alternative to body mass index for the detection of in-hospital undernutrition in a referal hospital, Cameroon.

The prevalence of undernutrition in hospitals in Africa is estimated at about 57 %. Simple anthropometric methods are available to detect it, including measurement of the brachial circumference (BC) and the body mass index (BMI). The aim of this study was to identify a threshold value that might make it possible to diagnose undernutrition in hospitals. It was a cross sectional study carried out at Douala General Hospital - Cameroon over a five months period. The measurements studied were: BMI, BC and percentage of weight loss. The Pearson test was used to compare the quantitative variables. The Receiving Operating Characteristic curve enabled us to determine a threshold value of the BC according to BMI. The study included 333 patients, with a mean age of 45 ± 16 years (range : 18-86). BMI and BC were strongly correlated; BC =11.69 + 0.68(BMI), with r2 = 0.65 (P < 0.01)). The threshold value of BC retained to detect undernutrition was 27 cm. The prevalence of undernutrition at the Douala General Hospital varies according to the anthropometric parameter used. At a BC threshold of 27 cm, the prevalence of undenutrition in our population was 24,3%.

[Risk factors associated with gastroduodenal lesions in a Douala referral hospital (Cameroon)]. / Facteurs de risques associés aux lésions gastroduodénales dans un hôpital de référence à Douala (Cameroun).

INTRODUCTION: The causes of gastroduodenal lesions are multifactorial, and few studies have assessed the impact of each of these factors in Africa. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with the occurrence of gastroduodenal lesions in Cameroon. METHOD: This prospective, analytical study took place over a 5-month period in the endoscopy unit of the Douala General Hospital. Lifestyle, medical history, demographic, and clinical variables were collected. Infection with Helicobacter pylori was determined with a rapid urease (CLO) test. Multivariate regression was used to determine risk factors. RESULTS: The study included 234 of 265 patients seen in the department over the study period. Gastroscopy was normal for 54.2% of the subjects. The prevalence of peptic ulcers was 17.1% and of inflammatory lesions 26.4%. Risk factors associated with a gastroduodenal lesion were: age greater than 60 years [OR age = 2.953; 95% CI: 1.399 to 6.231; p = 0.004], H. pylori infection [OR = 2.953; 95% CI: 1.399 to 6.231; p = 0.003] and regular NSAID use [OR = 0.912; 95% CI: 0.112 to 2.733; p = 0.044] either a month before the examination or over the long term. CONCLUSION: Age greater than 60 years, NSAID consumption, and H. pylori infection are associated with the occurrence of gastroduodenal lesions.

[Clinical and immunological profile of HIV-infected patients at the initiation of antiretroviral therapy in Douala]. / Profil clinique et immunologique des patients infectés par le VIH à l'initiation du traitement antirétroviral à Douala.

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and immunological profile of patients infected with HIV after initiation of antiretroviral therapy. Sociodemographic characteristics, clinical and immunological patients were recorded. Chi square test and Mann-Whitney were used to compare variables. The multivariate regression model identified risk factors. So that, 936 (56.2%) patients were in stages III and IV of the WHO and 65.2% at an advanced stage of the disease. Factors associated with initiation at an advanced stage, were male sex (p = 0.007) and time to diagnosis (p = 0.005). In 2/3 cases, treatment is started at an advanced stage of disease. It is therefore important to intensify awareness campaigns for early detection and encourage patients to ensure regular medical follow-up screening.

[Hereditary factors in strabismus]. / Les facteurs héréditaires dans le strabisme.

This retrospective study took place in the Ophthalmology Department of Douala General Hospital. The aim was to determine the importance of hereditary factors in a group of strabismic Cameroonians. In a series of 275 patients with strabismus, we found 79 familial cases (28.72%). Among them, 22.78% had more than one relative with squint and 75% had the same type of strabismus as their relative. There was no significant difference in the percentage of familial cases with regard to the type of strabismus, the sex, the mode of fixation and the impairment of ductions. As far as ametropias are concerned, only myopia showed a hereditary tendency in our series. The authors agree with the literature in that there is a significant hereditary component in the cause of strabismus, but its genetic sites are yet to be identified. There is strong hope in this direction with the decoding of the human genom and the advances in molecular biology. However, the study of familial cases is important since it allows high risk groups to be defined and screened. It thus makes it possible to successfully fight amblyopia through early detection and treatment.