Level of Adherence to Cytotoxic Drugs by Breast Cancer Patients’ in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant diseases in women and adjuvant combination chemotherapy has been shown to reduce mortality from this disease. Adherence to medical treatment is a multifaceted issue that can substantially alter the outcomes of therapy. Patient non-adherence to chemotherapy is the ultimate barrier to the treatment effectiveness. Objective: This study was carried out to determine the relationship between cancer chemotherapy adherence and breast cancer staging, patient’s perception of cancer care and patient’s socio-demographic characteristics. Material and method: This was a cross sectional study selection of respondents and was based on simple random sampling technique, 184 patients were interviewed and data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire to obtain socio-demographic data, adherence data, and facility-related information. Results: There was a significant association between marital status and non-adherence (P?= 0.013). Both separated and single subjects had higher proportion of non-adherence compared with married subjects. Analysis of perception of chemotherapy care revealed a significant association between the satisfaction score and non-adherence, with non-adherent patients showing higher scores or being less satisfied. The quality of service (P?= 0.0052);rating of needs been met (P?= 0.0079);rating on whether the services helped the subject (P?= 0.0405);rating on the general satisfaction of the services provided (P?= 0.0115);and rating on whether subject would seek help again (P?= 0.0320) all had a significant association with non-adherence. Conclusion: The awareness of oncologist and patient of the problem of non-adherence and communication regarding the importance of adherence to therapy may improve health outcomes.

Activated Protein C Resistance in Patients with Pre-Eclampsia in Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Preeclampsia is reported to complicate 2% - 8% of pregnancies globally and is an important cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The aetiology and pathogenesis are still poorly understood and substantial improvement has not been made in the prediction, prevention and treatment of the disease. Objective: To compare the frequency of activated protein C resistance (APC-R) in patients with pre-eclampsia to that of normotensive pregnant women and to determine the correlation between activated protein ratio (APC-ratio) and the severity of pre-eclampsia. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 100 pre-eclamptic patients and 100 normotensive pregnant controls. The APC-ratio was determined using the modified activated partial thromboplastin time. Study participants with APC-ratio of less than 2.0 were defined as having APC-R. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Results: Mean APC-ratio was significantly lower in pre-eclamptics (2.89 ± 1.70) compared to normotensive pregnant women (3.57 ± 1.06) (p = 0.0008) and the levels were also higher in mild (2.95 ± 1.15) compared to severe pre-eclamptics (2.62 ± 1.14). The frequency of APC-R was 26% among women with pre-eclampsia compared to 4% among normotensive controls (p = 0.000). Among 100 pre-eclamptic women 7 (21.2%) out of 33 with mild pre–eclampsia had APC-R, while 19 (28.4%) out of 67 with severe pre-eclampsia had APC-R. APC-ratio had a significant negative correlation with mean arterial blood pressure (r = −0.324;p = 0.000) and proteinuria (r = −0.379;p = 0.000) among study participants. Conclusion: The frequency of activated protein c resistance is significantly higher in pre-eclamptics compared to normotensive pregnant women and this is more pronounced in those with severe pre-eclampsia compared with those with mild disease. APC-R may therefore be used as a marker of severity in the disease.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Coinfection with Malaria in Selected States in Nigeria

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Plasmodium species are the causative agents of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and malaria respectively with similar clinical presentations. The objective of this study is to determine the burden of co-infection of SARS-CoV-2 and malaria in the general population. Five (5 mLs) of blood samples were collected for SARS-CoV-2 and malaria parasite test. The malaria test was performed using a commercially available one-step malaria antigen Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 (Pf HRP-II) rapid test kit. The results of the study showed that the participants that were coinfected with SARS-CoV-2 IgG and malaria were 13 (2.5%) in Lagos, 1114 (39.1%) in Delta and 49 (2.3%) in Sokoto States. The prevalence of coinfection of SARS-CoV-2 and malaria in urban areas in Lagos, Delta and Sokoto States were 7 (2.2%), 1373 (48.1%), and 5 (0.2%) respectively. In rural areas, the prevalence of coinfection of SARS-CoV-2 and malaria in Lagos, Delta and Sokoto States were 6 (0.3%), 365 (12.8%), and 44 (2.1%) respectively in this study. This suggests that participants in the urban areas were more prone to co-infections than the rural areas in Lagos and Delta states, while it was otherwise in Sokoto State. In conclusion, the co-infection of SARS-CoV-2 and malaria was very high in Delta State compared to the other States. It is important for clinics to screen for both diseases when patients present with symptoms of malaria. This is because the infections have similar symptoms and the public is quick to assume malaria infection without diagnosing for COVID-19 and vice versa.

Prevalence of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in HIV Infected Patients in a Tertiary Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria

Background: People living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are more predisposed to urinary tract infections due to suppression of their immunity by the virus. Asymptomatic bacteriuria is associated with an increased risk of symptomatic urinary tract infection and the latter being an important contributor to development of chronic renal failure, hypertension and toxaemia of pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in HIV-infected patients and proffer a recommendation on the need or otherwise to screen. Methods: This was a cross sectional study of treatment-naive HIV-infected patients attending the HIV clinics of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja. A single voided aseptically collected mid-stream urine (MSU) was obtained from each patient and all samples processed immediately, were sent for urinalysis and culture. Isolates were considered significant if there were ≥105 colony forming unit/mL (CFU/mL) with 2 or less isolates, doubtful significance if 5 CFU/mL. Significant isolates were selected for identification. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 (Statistical Package for Social Sciences, Inc., Chicago, Ill). Results: A total of 156 consenting participants were recruited into the study. The mean age was 36.45 ± 8.65 years. There were 60 of 156 (38.4%) males and 96 of 156 (61.56%) females. Only 33 of 156 (21.2%) had significant bacteriuria, out of the 33 participants, 19 (57.8%) were asymptomatic, while 14 of 33 (42.4%) had significant growth but were symptomatic or on antibiotics. E. coli was isolated in 9 of 19 (47.3%), followed by Staph aureus 4 of 19 (21.05%). Conclusion: More than half of participants who had significant growth had asymptomatic bacteriuria, while one-fifth of all patients had significant growth. Considering this statistics, screening for or treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria may be recommended in all HIV-infected patients.

Are Tuberculosis Patients Managed According to the National Guidelines in Lagos State Nigeria?

Setting: Private and public tuberculosis (TB) treatment centers in Lagos State, Nigeria. Objective: To compare adherence of private and public providers of directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) in the Lagos State TB control program, Nigeria (LSTBLCP) with the national TB guidelines. Design: A retrospective review of treatment cards of TB patients managed within the first and second quarter of 2012 in 34 DOTS facilities {23 public, 7 private for profit (PFP), and 4 private not for profit (PNFP)} involved in the private public mix of the LSTBLCP. Results: Of the 1896 treatment cards reviewed, 1524 (80.4%), 132 (7.0%) and 240 (12.6%) were from public, PFP and PNFP DOTS facilities, respectively. About 19%, 25% and none of the patients managed at the public, PNFP, and PFP DOTS facilities were treated in full adherence with the national guidelines respectively. A significantly higher proportion of adults and sputum smear positive TB patients were treated in full adherence with the national guidelines (p < 0.05). Treatment success was associated with full adherence with the national guidelines. Conclusion: There is a need to reorient health care providers in public and private health facilities in Lagos State Nigeria to ensure full adherence with the national TB guidelines.

An Evaluation of Suicidality and Its Predictors in Police Officers in Lagos, Nigeria

Background: The many dangers and stressors associated with police work often place police officers at a great risk of a variety of mental health morbidity, including suicidality. The causation of suicidality is multi-dimensional, however, there are insufficient studies which have examined the burden and risk factors of suicidality in Nigerian police officers. Objective: To determine the prevalence and predictors of suicidality among police officers in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 600 police officers who were selected using a non-probability sampling method. Questionnaires used were: Suicide Behaviour Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and a Socio-Demographic Questionnaire. Results: Prevalence of suicidality was 14%, and the predictors of suicidality were: state anxiety (p 0.001), trait anxiety (p 0.001), substance use (p = 0.03), being unmarried (p = 0.03), and female gender (p = 0.02). Conclusion: Suicidality is prevalent among Nigerian police officers, with a higher risk in those who are vulnerable. The creation of government policies and infrastructure which promote mental health in police officers is necessary.

Haematology Parameters of Apparently Healthy Prospective Whole Blood Donors in a Nigerian Hospital Setting

Background: Adequate selection of a prospective whole blood donor protects his health and safety of the recipient. Objectives: The main objective of this study was to determine the haematology parameters of apparently healthy prospective whole blood donors. Participants and Methods: This was a hospital based prospective study carried out from August to October 2020 at the blood transfusion unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Nigeria. A structured pretested questionnaire was used for data collection. The socio demographic status and the haematology parameters of apparently healthy prospective whole blood donors who tested negative for HIV, hepatitis B and C markers were captured. Obtained data were analysed with the statistical package for the social scientist software version 20. Results: One hundred male (97.1%) and three female (2.9%) apparently healthy prospective whole blood donors were studied. The median age of study subjects was 30 years. Obtained median haematology parameter values were 13 g/dl, 40%, 4.9/nl and 203.9/nl for haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, total white cell and platelet counts respectively. The median values for the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of participants were 32.6 g/dl, 27.7 pg and 85.7 fl respectively. Observed prevalence of subnormal haematology parameters for haemoglobin concentration, total white cells, platelets were 12.6%, 25.2%, and 13.6% respectively. Also subnormal values for MCHC, MCH, MCV were 11.7%, 26.2%, and 16.5% respectively among prospective whole blood donors in this study. No higher than normal haematology parameter values were observed. Median values for erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 8.4 mm/hr. Conclusion: A significant percentage of apparently healthy prospective whole blood donors had subnormal haematology parameters values. Obtained normal values in our study are comparable with local reference range reports from previous studies in Nigeria and other parts of Africa. 124947 .

The Association between <i>Chlamydia Trachomatis</i>and Ectopic Pregnancy in Lagos, Nigeria—A Case Control Study

Objectives: To determine the seropositivity of Chlamydia antibody in patients with ruptured ectopic pregnancy compared to normal pregnant women and the risk factors for ectopic pregnancy. Study Design: This was a prospective case-control study of 85 cases of ruptured ectopic pregnancy and 100 cases of second trimester on-going intrauterine pregnant controls presenting in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) between September 2009 and March 2010. Study Site: This was at the gynaecological emergency room and antenatal clinic in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Ethical approval was sought and granted by the ethics review committee of LASUTH. Study Participants: Patients presenting with ruptured ectopic pregnancy were recruited as cases while the controls were made up of those with uncomplicated second trimester intrauterine pregnancy. A semi-structured questionnaire containing socio-demographic and clinical characteristics was administered following informed consent. Five milliliters of venous blood was taken from each participant and tested for?Lymphogranuloma Venerum?(LGV) type 2 broadly reacting antigen of?Chlamydia trachomatis.?Data Analysis: Data gathered from the case notes and laboratories were imputed into the computer and analyzed using the statistical package?Epi-Info 3.51, Atlanta, USA. Frequency tables were generated for continuous variables and?chi-square analysis used to determine association between variables, with p values <0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: There were 91 cases of ectopic pregnancy among a total of 2468 deliveries giving an incidence of 3.68% or 1 in 27 deliveries. Factors which significantly contributed to increased incidence of ectopic pregnancy in this study were: level of education (p = 0.001), socio-economic status (p = 0.001), parity (p = 0.005), early age of sexual debut (p = 0.001), multiple sexual partners (p = 0.001), previous pelvic inflammatory disease (p = 0.003), previous induced abortion (p = 0.013) and previous?postabortal/puerperal sepsis (p = 0.013). The seropositivity of?Chlamydia IgG (62.4%) in the cases was significantly higher than that of 29% in the control (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: There was a high incidence of ectopic during the period of study and the seropositivity of Chlamydia IgG antibody was significantly higher amongst the cases. Risk factors identified were low level of education, low socio-economic status, low parity, early age of sexual debut, multiple sexual partners, previous history of pelvic inflammatory disease, previous induced abortion and previous postabortal/puerperal sepsis.

Factors Affecting Treatment Interruption among TB Patients in Lagos Nigeria: Is There Any Need for Treatment Supporters?

Background: This study assessed treatment interruption of tuberculosis (TB) patients managed by treatment supporters and health care workers and other predictors of treatment interruption. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Four hundred and seventy new smear positive TB patients above 14 years of age were consecutively recruited between October 1 and December 31 2012 from 34 (23 public and 11 private) directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) facilities that offered TB treatment and microscopy services. They were followed up till treatment was completed. Logistic regression was used to assess the predictors of treatment interruption. Results: A significantly higher proportion of smokers (58.6% vs 38.3%, p = 0.030), patients supervised by treatment supporters (44.4% vs 34.7%, p = 0.032), patients not counselled before initiation of treatment (55.6% vs 38.2%, p = 0.041), patients managed at private DOTS facilities (50% vs 36.3%, p = 0.010) and TB/HIV co-infected patients (54.2% vs 38.6%, p = 0.038) had treatment interruption. Predictors of treatment interruption were supervision by treatment supporters, smoking, lack of pre-treatment counselling and TB/HIV co-infection. Conclusion: A higher proportion of patients supervised by treatment supporters had treatment interruption than those supervised by health care workers. There may be a need to review the concept of treatment supervision by treatment supporters in Lagos state Nigeria.

Sexuality and Emergency Contraceptive Practice among Female Undergraduates in Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Young people, especially those in tertiary institutions are vulnerable to unplanned and unprotected sexual intercourse which predisposes them to unintended pregnancies and subsequently unsafe abortions. One of the key interventions for reduction of unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions is effective use of emergency contraceptives. Objectives: To assess the sexuality, perception, attitude towards and determinants of usage of emergency contraception among female undergraduates in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: Cross-sectional survey conducted in June 2016 among 805 female students of the Lagos State University. Data were collected through structured self-administered questionnaire by obtaining information on demography, sexual and contraceptive history, perception, attitude towards and use of emergency contraceptives. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Chi-square and logistic regression models were applied to variables to test for significance that predicts the use of emergency contraceptives. Results: Of the 725 (90%) completed questionnaires, 334 (46%) of the respondents were sexually active with 115 (34%) having previous history of pregnancy. Eighty-two percent of those pregnancies were unintended. Eighty-eight percent of those with unintended pregnancy had them terminated by induced abortions, 54% of which was carried out by untrained persons. Only 29% of those who had unprotected sexual intercourse used emergency contraceptives. Lack of knowledge and promotion of sexual promiscuity were identified as the main reasons for not using emergency contraceptives. Previous use of contraceptives, married status, increasing age and year of study were positive predictors for the use of emergency contraceptives while poor knowledge was a significant predictor of non-use. Conclusion: There was poor knowledge and low utilization of emergency contraceptives among respondents. Information on contraceptives should be introduced in secondary schools and in general studies courses in tertiary institutions while parents and caregivers should discuss issues relating to sex and contraceptives with adolescents.

The Pattern of Haematological Changes in the Baseline Blood Cell Counts and the CD4⁺T Lymphocyte Levels among Antiretroviral Therapy Naïve Adult HIV Positive Patients in a Nigerian Hospital

Background: Haematological abnormalities are strong independent predictors of morbidity and mortality in HIV infection. Objectives of the Study: This study was carried out to assess the pattern of the changes in the baseline peripheral blood cell counts among adult HIV positive patients. To also determine the CD4+ T cell levels and its correlation with the changes in the baseline cell counts of the patients using HIV negative blood donors as controls. Methods: This was a case controlled prospective study. The subjects were antiretroviral therapy naive adult HIV positive patients and HIV negative blood donor controls. Five milliliters (5 mls) of venous blood was collected from the cubitus of every consecutive consenting subject. Blood sample was analysed for baseline complete blood cell counts and the CD4+ T lymphocyte levels using Sysmex and Cyflow R Counter autoanalysers respectively. Obtained data was analysed with the statistical package for the social scientist (SPSS version 20.0). The Erythrocyte sedimentation rate of subjects was measured by the manual standard Westergreen method. Results: Of 300 subjects, there were 139 (46.3%) males and 161 (53.7%) females in the study. Anaemia was found in 72 (29.2%), leucopenia in 20 (8%) and thrombocytopenia in 6 (2.4%) of the patients. The mean erythrocyte sedimentation rates of the subjects were 81.88 mm/hr and 9.46 mm/hr (p = 0.000) for the patients and the controls respectively. The mean CD4+ T lymphocyte cell counts were 293 cells/μl and 750 cells/μl (p = 0.000) for the patients and controls respectively. Conclusion: Anaemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia were more prevalent among the studied HIV positive patients.

Rabeprazole, clarithromycin, and amoxicillin Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy: Report of an efficacy study

AIM: To investigate the efficacy of a standard triple therapy (comprising rabeprazole, clarithromycin, and amoxicillin) for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication, noting factors that influence the outcome and documenting any adverse events.

Children with transposition of the great arteries: Should they actually be born in Nigeria?

AIMTo describe the clinical and echocardiographic features of Nigerian children with transposition of the great arteries and emphasize the need for collaboration with cardiac centres in the developed countries to be able to salvage the children.METHODS Prospective and cross sectional involving consecutive patients diagnosed with transposition of the great arteries using clinical evaluation and echocardiography at the Paediatric Department of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital,Lagos Nigeria as part of a large study between January 2007 and December 2015.RESULTS There were 51 cases of transposition of the great arteries within the study period with a male to female ratio of 2:1 and a prevalence of 1.55 per 10000among population of children who presented to centre during the study.Its proportion amongst children with congenital heart disease was 4.9%,while it was15.4%among those with cyanotic congenital heart disease.The mean age±SD of the subjects was 10.3±21.8 mo.Up to 70%of the patients were less than6 mo of age at initial presentation.The most common mode of presentation was cyanosis.The most common associated intracardiac anomaly was ventricular septal defect which occurred in 56%of the patients.CONCLUSION Transposition of the great arteries is as common in Nigeria as in the other parts of the world.The most common mode of presentation was cyanosis.There is an urgent need to establish paediatric cardiac centres in Nigeria if these children are to be salvaged.

Spouses of patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 at increased risk of high blood glucose levels

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus type 2 is a growing threat in developing countries already burdened with high levels of infectious disease. Screening the general population has debatable advantages. This study aims to determine whether spouses of patients with diabetes mellitus have higher random blood glucose (RBG) levels as well as the benefit of RBG testing as a targetted screening tool. Methodology: The survey employed a cross-sectional comparative study of spouses’ of diabetics and non-diabetics attending the general out-patient department of the LagosStateUniversityTeaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja. A modified WHO STEPS Surveillance Instrument and a one-touch Glucometer were used to collect data. Blood pressures and BMI were measured and correlated to blood glucose levels. Results: Prevalence of high RBG was found to be 7% among spouses of diabetics and 3.3% among spouses of non-diabetic patients. Mean RBG was 5.57 mmol/L and 7.7 mmol/L within the age group 40 - 49 years and 50 - 59 years respectively among spouses of diabetic patients compared to 5.4 mmol/L and 5.5 mmol/L within the same age group among the spouses non-diabetics. Spouses of patients with diabetes mellitus had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures and BMI compared to spouses of non-diabetics. Conclusion: Being male, married to a diabetic patient, lower educational levels and higher body mass index are significantly associated with higher random blood glucose in the spouses of diabetic patients. Random blood glucose measurements are an effective screening tool and spouses of diabetic patients can benefit from targeted screening in controlled clinical settings.

Contributions of Primary Health Care and Next Step Considerations: A Systematic Review

The essential consideration is the cornerstone of a solid medical care system that provides outstanding health outcomes at a low cost. Medical therapy has evolved over the previous century from concentrating on random etiologies to lifestyle, race, and environmental factors. The aim behind these changes is to serve the public health requirements by delivering frequent and easy services based on the individual, couple, or family. Accurate evaluation of the magnitude by which primary health care contributes to the health care system is essential to the improvement of these contributions and determining next step considerations. The number one factor has been associated with greater access to medical care, better health outcomes, and reduced hospitalization and ER (emergency room) visits. The number one consideration may also help balance the adverse effects of poor financial situations on well-being. Therefore, we need more primary care doctors in the US. Research is also necessary to understand which essential consideration models provide acceptable health results.

Heart Surgery Practice in Sub Saharan Africa: Single Nigerian Institutional Midterm Results and Challenges

Background: The majority of prospective cardiac surgical patients in sub Saharan Africa lack access to open heart surgery. We reviewed our midterm results to identify the obstacles to growth and challenges with sustainability. Methods: Records of patients undergoing heart surgery at LASUTH from December 2004 to March 2006 were retrospectively reviewed for clinical and outcome data. Results: Twenty four patients age 10-50, mean 28.0 +/? 10.49 years and 13 (54.2%) males underwent surgery. 12 (50.0%) patients had mechanical valve replacements, 11 (45.8%) closure of septal defects and 1 (4.2%) left atrial myxoma resection. Logistic euroscore for valve patients was 5.81 +/? 4.74 while observed mortality was 8.3% (1/12). Overall 30 days operative mortality was 8.3% (2/24) and major morbidity 4.2% (1/24). Patients with septal defects closure stopped clinic visits within a year. Valve patients follow up was complete in 90.1% with mean duration of 55.2 +/? 15.3 months. Late events occurred only in females with mitral valve replacements. The 5-year freedom from thromboembolism and bleeding was 74.0% and survival 82.0% in valve patients. Conclusion: Despite limited resources heart surgery can safely be performed with good outcomes by trained local personnel under supervision of visiting foreign teams until they are proficient to operate independently. Patients with less complex congenital defects have excellent postsurgical outcomes, while patients with rheumatic valve replacement are subject to ongoing valve related morbidity and mortality therefore require lifetime follow up. Choice of prosthetic valve for the mostly indigent and poorly educated population remains a challenge. We now prefer stented tissue valve despite its known limitations, in child bearing age females desirous of childbirth and others unlikely to comply with anticoagulation regimen. Barriers to sustainability include poor infrastructures, few skilled manpower, inadequate funding and restricted patient access due to inability to pay without third party insurance or government Medicaid.

Manual removal of the placenta: Evaluation of some risk factors and management outcome in a tertiary maternity unit. A case controlled study

Objective: Lack of consensus on when to diagnose and manage retained placenta in the absence of hemorrhage in the 3rd stage of labor, has often subjected Manual removal of placenta (MROP) to the discretion of the accoucher. This study aimed to appraise the practice of manual removal of placenta in a tertiary institution in Nigeria with a view to evaluating risk factors for the procedure and advance probable guidelines to enhance standardization of diagnosis of retained placenta. Design: Case controlled study. Setting: Tertiary maternity center in South west Nigeria. Participants: Data from the hospital records of 92 parturients who had MROP from January to December 2009 were compared with 91 immediate next parturients without MROP matched for age and parity. Variables such as the past obstetric and gynecological history, status of accoucher, gestational age at delivery, duration of 3rd stage, estimated blood loss, quantum of blood transfused and length of hospitalization were extracted and subjected to statistical analysis using the SPSS package. Results: There were 4613 deliveries of which 92 parturients had MROP, an incidence of 1.99%. The mean duration of 3rd stage in the study group was 35.6 ± 18.8 minutes compared to 21.6 ± 6.28 minutes in the control. Doctors were the accoucher in 96.8% of cases while midwives took the deliveries in 84.4% in the control group. Previous scarring of the pregnant uterus such as dilatation and curettage and caesarean section predisposed to MROP compared to the control group (P rd stage of labor with definite criteria for diagnosis of retained placenta to reduce the probable risk of unnecessary MROP.

Epitheloid Leiomyosarcoma of the Jejunum Presenting with Intussusception in a Young Adult Male: A Case Report

A 27-year-old male presented with intestinal obstruction due to a jejuno-jejunal intussusception, 23 years after a childhood nasopharyngeal carcinoma. He was successfully treated for the latter by radiotherapy but subsequently required a mandibuloplasty for presumably facial hypoplasia sequel to the radiotherapy. The present intussusception was resected with wide margins revealing a partly haemorrhagic, polypoid and sessile jejunal tumour measuring 7.7 × 3.5 × 2.6 cm. Microscopy with extensive immunohistochemical studies revealed a relatively rare and highly malignant epitheloid leiomyosarcoma arising from the muscularis propria with extension to the mucosa and serosa. No metastases were found and post-operative follow-up has so far been uneventful. The present case of a malignant tumour presenting as an intussusception in a young adult, was unrelated to a childhood malignant tumour in the same patient. The former was successfully treated by a wide excision in support of the advocated surgical approach to adult intussusception.

Experience with Prosthetic Valve Replacement in Indigents with Rheumatic Heart Disease in Nigeria: 10-Year Follow-Up

Purpose: Active heart surgery programs are few in sub Saharan Africa outside of South Africa, with majority being low volume centers performing small numbers annually. We reviewed our long term outcome to identify factors associated with increased morbidity and mortality, to guide future choice of prosthetic valves in our mostly indigent patients afflicted with rheumatic valvular disease. Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients who underwent heart valve replacement at Lagos State University and Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospitals from November 2004 to February 2009. Results: Twenty six patients, 19 (73.1%) females, age 12 - 47;mean 26.69 ± 9.87 years, underwent heart valve replacement. 19 (73.1%) patients had mitral and 7 (26.9%) aortic valve replacement. Mechanical valve was implanted in all except in 2 (7.7%) patients. Left ventricular ejection fraction was >50% in 14 (53.8%), 24 (92.3%) were in New York Heart Association class III/IV, 10 (38.5%) had severe pulmonary hypertension and logistic euroscore was 5.84 ± 3.81. Operative mortality was 11.5% (3/26) and morbidity 7.7% (2/26). Follow-up for survivors was 83.0 ± 27.9 months. 10-year freedom from bleeding and thromboembolism was 70.0% and survival 86.0%. Linearized rate for bleeding was 4.58 and thromboembolism 1.52. Conclusion: Late complications in survivors were primarily anticoagulant related occurring predominantly in child bearing age females especially during pregnancy. Bleeding complications were often associated with noncompliance due to poor socioeconomic status. With average life expectancy of 53 years for females, bioprosthetic valves despite higher structural failure rate, may be best suited especially in child bearing age females still desirous of childbirth to decrease valve related complications. Longer duration of follow-up and meta-analysis of future reported series from the sub region may help clarify the optimal prosthetic valve in sub Saharan Africa with its known poor health infrastructures and delivery system.

Placenta Growth Factor and Soluble Fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 1 in Preeclampsia and Normotensive Pregnant Nigerian Women

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is still one of the leading causes of maternal/perinatal morbidity/mortality in Nigeria. Imbalance between placenta growth factor (PLGF) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt1) has been reportedly present both before and after the manifestation of PE;however, Nigerian data regarding these angiogenesis-related substances are lacking. We here attempted to determine the maternal serum level of PLGF and sFlt1 and sFlt1/PLGF ratio in PE vs. non-PE women in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was made on 75 women with PE and 75 age-gestational-age matched women without PE, as case and control, respectively. Levels of sFlt-1, PIGF and the sFlt-1: PIGF ratio was compared between the two. Results: Serum levels of Flt-1 and sFlt1/PIGF ratio were significantly higher in PE patients (6581.86 ± 865.75, and 146.42 ± 92.43) than in the normotensive control (4584.52 ± 1479.6 and 11.60 ± 6.42). PIGF was significantly lower in PE patients (70.14 ± 51.03) than the normotensives (494.06 ± 475.8). There were positive and negative correlations between the sFlt-1 and PLGF respectively and mean arterial blood pressure. Conclusion: Serum sFlt-1, sFlt1/PIGF ratio was significantly higher and PIGF levels were significantly lower in PE than normotensive control in Nigerian population.