Comparison of glycaemic indices of some local beans (Vigna unguiculata [Linn] Walp varieties) in Nigerians

Background: Beans are recommended for their richness and for their salutary effect on blood glucose. Inter-species differences impact on blood glucose. What appeared unknown is whether varieties of beans of the same species (Vigna unguiculata [Linn] Walp) have differential effects on blood glucose when equal amounts are consumed.Objective: To perform proximate analysis and compare the glycaemic indices on consumption of Vigna unguiculata (Linn) Walp species. Setting and subjects: This was an experimental study and subjects consisted of 12 healthy consenting participants at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in Lagos, Nigeria.Outcome measure: Fibre contents and the glycaemic indices of Vigna unguiculata (Linn) Walp varieties 'oloyin', 'drum' and 'Sokoto' white.Results: The mean (±SD) crude fibre content of Vigna unguiculata (Linn) Walp varieties 'oloyin', 'drum' and 'Sokoto white' are 2.75% (± 0.00), 2.64% (± 0.14) and 2.94% (± 0.17) respectively. The median (95% CI) glycaemic index (GI) of Vigna unguiculata (Linn) Walp variety 'oloyin' was 12.10% (6.0­16.31), variety 'drum' 17.64% (9.22­48.93) and variety 'Sokoto white' 12.04% (5.54­28.94) respectively. The GI of the bean meals differed significantly (Friedman's test, χ2 (2) = 6.500, p = 0.039).Conclusion: The fibre content of intra-species beans, together with their GI, differs. 'Drum' bean meal has the lowest fibre content and highest glycaemic response. 'Oloyin' and 'Sokoto white' bean meals are recommended for persons with DM as some beans are more diabetic friendly than others

Thyroid autoimmunity in pregnant Nigerians.

CONTEXT: Thyroid autoimmunity is a recognized disorder in pregnancy and is associated with a number of adverse pregnancy outcomes. AIM: This study set out to determine the relationship between pregnancy and thyroid autoimmunity in Nigerian women. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was an analytical cross-sectional study carried out in a tertiary hospital in South Western Nigeria with a total study population of 108 pregnant and 52 nonpregnant women. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Serum thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab) were quantitatively determined using enzyme linked immuno-assays. Pregnant women were grouped into three categories (<14 weeks, 14-28 weeks and > 28 weeks). The relationship between pregnancy and thyroid autoimmunity was determined using Spearman correlation. Analysis of variance was used in comparison of means, Chi-square test used in analyzing proportions while P ≤ 0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: The mean age of the pregnant women was 30.4 ± 6.0 years while the mean gestational age of all pregnant women was 20.6 ± 9.6 weeks. The mean TPO-Ab of 11.58 IU/ml in the pregnant was significantly higher than that of the controls of 7.23 IU/ml (P < 0.001). Out of 108 pregnant women, 27 (25%) had elevated TPO-Ab as against about 2% of the nonpregnant women levels P < 0.001. The number of pregnant women with elevated TPO-Ab levels decreased from 33.3% in the first group to 25.6% and 15.2% in the second and third groups. CONCLUSION: Thyroid autoimmunity expressed by the presence of TPO-Ab is high among pregnant Nigerian women and the frequency of autoimmunity appears to decline with advancing gestational age.

Type 2 diabetes control and complications in specialised diabetes care centres of six sub-Saharan African countries: the Diabcare Africa study.

AIM: The Diabcare Africa project was carried out across six sub-Saharan African countries to collect standardised and comparable information for the evaluation of diabetes control, management and late complications in diabetic populations at specialist clinics. METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive study of 2352 type-2 diabetes patients who were treated at specialist clinics for at least 12 months prior to the study. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 53.0±16.0 years and had 8.0±6.0 years known duration of diabetes. 47% had their HbA1c assessed in the past year (mean 8.2±2.4%) with 29% achieving a level <6.5%. 21% had BP within 130/80 mmHg and 65% were treated for hypertension. Fasting lipids were assessed in 45% of the patients with mean cholesterol level of 4.9±1.2 mmol/L, HDL-cholesterol of 1.3±0.7 mmol/L and triglycerides of 1.2±0.7 mmol/L. 13% of the patients were treated for hyperlipidaemia, mostly with statins. Background retinopathy (18%) and cataract (14%) were the most common eye complications. Macrovascular disease was rare, and 48% had neuropathy. CONCLUSIONS: Half of the patients benefitted from standard care, and a third had appropriate glycaemic control - attributed to access to, rather than quality of care. This study provided evidence to support appropriate interventions to diabetic populations of sub-Saharan origin.

Diabetes foot ulceration in a Nigerian hospital: in-hospital mortality in relation to the presenting demographic, clinical and laboratory features.

This prospective study assessed in-hospital mortality from diabetic foot ulcer in relation to the demographic, clinical and laboratory features at presentation. Forty-two patients admitted with diabetic foot ulcer were followed up from admission till discharge from hospital. Those who survived or died were compared for any differences in demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters at presentation. The mean age and duration of diabetes for the 42 patients were 56.1 +/- 1.9 years and 8.3 +/- 1.1 years, respectively. The in-hospital mortality rate amongst the 42 subjects was 40.5%. Ulcer grade > or =4, leucocytosis and anaemia were more prevalent in those who demised in comparison with survivors.