Association of depression and anxiety with uncontrolled hypertension: A cross-sectional study in Southwest Nigeria.

Background: Hypertension is a medical condition of public health concern that increases the risk of chronic noncommunicable diseases and mortalities. In recent years, understanding its coexistence with other comorbidities has been the focus of better management. However, the relationship between hypertension and depression or anxiety has been contentious issue, with diverse findings reported by different studies. Understanding this relationship will be crucial for blood pressure control and reducing the mortality associated with hypertension. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the association between depression or anxiety and hypertension control. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 321 hypertensive patients accessing care in two hospitals. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The relationship between blood pressure control and depression or anxiety was assessed using binary logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of depression and anxiety was 12.1% and 23.1%, respectively. Up to 261 (81.3%) participants had uncontrolled blood pressure. Of these 261 participants, 14.2% and 23.4% had depression and anxiety, respectively. Depression was associated with an increased risk of uncontrolled blood pressure after adjusting for sex, smoking cigarettes, age, marital status, and exercise (odds ratio (OR) = 7.751, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.79-43.4, P = 0.011). Conclusion: Depression appears to be independently associated with an increased risk of uncontrolled blood pressure. It is therefore relevant for healthcare providers to assess for depression in patients with hypertension to ensure better hypertensive control.

Analgesic efficacy of bupivacaine with or without magnesium adjunct in bilateral ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve blocks following cesarean section under subarachnoid block: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Pain relief is a basic aspect of anesthesia care. Optimal post-cesarean section analgesia should minimize postoperative complications, facilitate infant care, and prevent postoperative morbidity. Bilateral ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric (IIIH) nerve block has been considered as a part of the multimodal approach. This study was designed to explore the efficacy of adding magnesium sulfate as an adjunct to bupivacaine to provide analgesia following cesarean delivery, using bilateral IIIH nerve block. Materials And Methods: Seventy-two parturients who were scheduled for elective cesarean section were randomized into two groups of 36 patients each. Group MB patients were given bilateral IIIH nerve block with 250 mg of magnesium sulfate and 95 mg of 0.25% plain bupivacaine. Group B patients were given bilateral IIIH nerve block with 0.9% normal saline and 95 mg of 0.25% plain bupivacaine. Postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores at post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h, both at rest and with activity were measured. Rescue doses of opioid (intravenous [IV] tramadol 50 mg) at each time point of assessment, total tramadol consumption, time to patients' first request for rescue analgesic agent, and patients' satisfaction score were recorded. Results: The demographic and social parameters of patients in both the groups were comparable. The mean postoperative VAS pain score in group MB was significantly lesser both at rest and with movement than in group B at 12 and 24 h after surgery (P < 0.05). Total postoperative tramadol consumed over 24 h was significantly lesser in the magnesium group than in the control group (125.55 ± 20.76 vs. 160.24 ± 25.82 mg), with a P value of 0.026. The time to patient's first analgesic request was significantly prolonged in group MB compared to group B (505.2 ± 41.4 vs. 372.6 ± 88.8 min, respectively), with a P value of 0.040. However, patients in both groups expressed good satisfaction scores. Conclusion: Magnesium sulfate as an adjunct to bupivacaine in bilateral IIIH nerve block reduced VAS pain scores, total tramadol consumption, and prolonged post-cesarean section analgesia.

Health, well-being, and burnout amongst Early Career Doctors in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Early Career Doctors (ECDs) in Nigeria are faced with many individual and systemic problems, which consequently adversely affect their health, well-being, patient care and safety. OBJECTIVE: This study, the second phase of the Challenges of Residency Training and Early Career Doctors in Nigeria (CHARTING II) Study, sought to examine the risk factors and contributors to the health, well-being and burnout amongst Nigerian ECDs. METHODS: This was a study of health, well-being and burnout amongst Nigerian ECDs. Outcome variables included burnout, depression, and anxiety, which were respectively assessed using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) and Oldenburg Burnout Inventory (OLBI), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) depression scale, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale. The quantitative data obtained was analysed using the IBM SPSS, version 24. Associations between categorical outcome and independent variables were assessed using chi square, with level of significance set at < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean body mass index (BMI), durations of smoking and alcohol consumption of the ECDs were 25.64 ± 4.43 kg/m2 (overweight range), 5.33 ± 5.65 years and 8.44 ± 6.43 years respectively. Less than a third (157, 26.9%) of the ECDs exercised regularly. The most common disease conditions affecting the ECDs were musculoskeletal (65/470, 13.8%) and cardiovascular diseases (39/548, 7.1%). Almost a third (192, 30.6%) of the ECDs reported experiencing anxiety. Male and lower cadre ECDs were more likely than female and higher cadre ECDs to report anxiety, burnout and depression. CONCLUSION: There is an urgent need to prioritize the health and well-being of Nigerian ECDs, so as to optimize patient care and improve Nigeria's healthcare indices.

Psychiatric emergencies and the millennium: an international study.

BACKGROUND: The millennium posed an unknown challenge to mental health services worldwide. In anticipation, contingencies were implemented in preparation for the unexpected impact on psychiatric morbidity. RESULTS: This study evaluates the impact of the millennium on psychiatric emergency service utilization in the Northern and Southern hemispheres--the UK, Nigeria and Australia. Findings did not demonstrate a notable "millennium effect" on mental health services. A number of patients presented psychopathology incorporating millennium themes. A post-Christmas and post-New Year increase in presentation was observed. CONCLUSION: There was no change in service needs.