Dynamics in the Prevalence of Insulin Resistance between 2005 and 2023 in Type 2 Diabetics in South Kivu in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo: Cross-Sectional Studies

Aim: Sub-Saharan Africa is undergoing an epidemiological transition responsible for a change in the metabolic profile in favour of insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to assess the dynamics of the prevalence of insulin resistance and associated risk factors in diabetic patients in the Democratic Republic of Congo between 2005 and 2023. Method: We measured fasting blood glucose and insulin levels and looked for metabolic syndrome parameters (2009 criteria) in type 2 diabetes patients in 2005-2008 (n = 176) and in 2018-2023 (n = 303). The HOMA model was used to measure insulin sensitivity and islet β-cell secretory function. Results: Between 2005 and 2013, the trend was towards an increase in the prevalence of insulin resistance (from 13.1% to 50.8%;p Conclusion: This present study shows an increase in insulin resistance in Congolese urban areas and a persistence of atypical diabetes mellitus in Congolese rural areas, confirming the particularity of the pathophysiology of the disease in African areas currently influenced by the epidemiological transition. Further studies using an appropriate methodology are required.

Vitamin D, Parathyroid Hormone, Insulin Sensitivity and Islet β-Cell Secretory Function in Diabetic Patients from South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The role of vitamin D and parathyroid hormone in the metabolic profile of type 2 diabetes mellitus in sub-Saharan Africa has not been adequately assessed. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of low vitamin D level and secondary hyperparathyroidism and their association with insulin sensitivity and β-cell secretory function among Congolese type 2 diabetics. Methodology: Fasting glycaemia, fasting insulin, 25OH D3 and human parathyroid hormone (hPTH) were measured in one hundred and eighty-four type 2 diabetic patients followed as outpatients in South Kivu. Levels of 25OH D3 65 pg/ml defined low vitamin D and elevated parathyroid hormone levels, respectively. The HOMA model was used to measure insulin sensitivity and β-cell secretory function. Results: Medians (IQR) were 25.3 (20.4 - 32.4) ng/ml for 25OH D3 and 53.7 (38.4 - 115.7) pg/ml for hPTH. 58.7% of diabetics had insulin resistance, 126 (68.5%) had low vitamin D and 80 (43.5%) had hyperparathyroidism. In multivariate analysis, hPTH (partial r = −0.28;p = 0.0002) and 25OH D3 (partial r = 0.16;p = 0.03) showed an independent association with insulin sensitivity after adjustment for body mass index and waist circumference. Finally, hPTH (partial r = 0.27;p = 0.0002) was the sole determinant of β-cell secretory function. Conclusions: This study confirms the high prevalence of low vitamin D level and secondary hyperparathyroidism and their association with insulin resistance and impaired islet β-cell secretory function among Congolese with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Vitamin D and calcium supplementation should be envisaged for cases of deficiency in this region.

Morbidity and Mortality of Acute Renal Failure in COVID-19 Patients in Intensive Care According to Waves/Variant: Case of the Grand Hôpital de l’Est Francilien Site de Meaux

Introduction: The incidence of acute renal failure (ARF) varies between 20% and 40% of cases for COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit, with very high mortality, but heterogeneous according to the different epidemic waves, probably due to the genetic variant phenomenon of the virus. The aim of this study is to determine the morbidity and mortality of COVID-19 patients admitted with ARF to the intensive care unit of the Grand H?pital Est Francilien (GHEF) according to the waves and variants. Methods: Cross-sectional observational study of COVID-19 patients with ARF admitted to the intensive care unit of the GHEF site in Meaux covering the period from March 1st 2020 to December, 31st 2021. Per-hospitalisation and outcome data were collected and analysed with SPSS version 25.0 software using the Chi-square or Fischer’s exact test or Student’s t-test and logistic regression for p Results: A total of 86 patients were included. The mean age was higher (70 ± 8.5) in patients in the fourth wave than in the other waves (p = 0.015), with male predominance in all waves without significant difference. Co-morbidities: hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, dyslipidaemia and arrhythmia complete with fibrillation were present in all waves. The majority of patients were classified as KDIGO 1 for the different waves (1st: 61.9%, 2nd: 86.5%, 3rd: 80%, and 4th: 75%), with the same trend according to variant (alpha: 80%, beta: 75%, delta: 81.3%, omicron: 75%). Mortality by the wave was: 1st: 28.5%, 2nd: 37.5%, 3rd: 23% and 4th: 11%) and by variant: alpha: 24.2%, beta: 44.8%, delta: 20.7%, omicron: 10.3%). Overall mortality was 33.7%. Case fatality was higher in the fourth wave. Hypertension, shock, failure to recover renal function, acute lung oedema, ventilator-associated lung disease and hyperkalaemia were factors associated with mortality (p Conclusion: Acute renal failure is common in COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit, and mortality is not negligible. The beta variants and the second wave presented more cases of renal impairment, although the mechanism is still unknown. Further studies are needed to understand this mechanism and perhaps to be able to identify the cause.

Competencies of Obstetric Caregivers Regarding Hepatitis B in the West Region of Cameroon

There are many zones of high prevalence of hepatitis B like Cameroon(10%).Mother to child transmission of hepatitis B is the most common mode of transmission in high prevalence area.Its prevention is assured by the health care staff in charge of pregnant women.We therefore used to assess the level of competence(skills levels)of obstetricians regarding hepatitis B in West region of Cameroon.This was a cross-sectional analytical KAP study.The recruitment took place in 11 hospitals in 5 major departments of West region of Cameroon.The sampling was consecutive and comprehensive.The population was constituted of 148 participants with a sex ratio of 0.51.The mean age was 34 years.The population consisted of 50 physicians(33.78%),61 nurses(41.22%),and 37 auxiliary staff(25%).Only 4%had a good skills level,55%had an average skills level,and 41%had an insufficient level.The Skills level was influenced by gender,occupation,seniority in the occupation.The skills level of health care workers was average and insufficient for most.This does not allow them to effectively fight against the mother to child transmission of hepatitis B virus in Cameroon.

老年人的蛋白质摄入量和骨病

营养不良、大多数显著的蛋白质缺乏,不仅通过减少骨量,而且通过改变肌肉功能来导致骨质疏松性骨折的发生。此外,营养不良与骨质疏松性骨折发病率增加有关。生长调节素系统(IGF-1)可能直接涉及老年人髋部骨质疏松性骨折及其并发症的发病机制。低IGF-1水平是髋骨骨折的危险因素。维生素D和钙摄入量合适的研究对象,给予纠正自然蛋白质摄入量不足的蛋白质补充量可增加循环血中IGF-1,改善髋骨骨折后的临床结局,和预防股骨近端骨矿物质密度的丢失。补充蛋白质也可明显减少住院患者康复治疗的时间。这些资料强调了适量营养素摄入量在骨质疏松性骨折防治方面的重要性。