Introduction: Limited access to treatment is a crucial factor contributing to the suboptimal control of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, especially in sub-Saharan African countries such as Tanzania. The eligibility ...Introduction: Limited access to treatment is a crucial factor contributing to the suboptimal control of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, especially in sub-Saharan African countries such as Tanzania. The eligibility for antiviral therapy is typically determined based on the extent of HBV replication and liver damage. However, there is insufficient data available regarding the actual treatment needs and the overall characteristics of HBV-infected individuals in Tanzania. Therefore, the aim of this study is to fill this knowledge gap and provide valuable insights to aid in the planning of treatment programs. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study at Bugando Medical Centre in northwest Tanzania, examining the data of 340 patients who were diagnosed with chronic HBV infection and attending the hepatitis clinic. Data on sociodemographic, clinical, and investigation details were collected through electronic files and subsequently analyzed. The eligibility for HBV antiviral treatment was assessed using the criteria established by the World Health Organization (WHO). Results: Out of the 340 patients included in the study, the majorities were males 252 (74.1%) and had a median age of 36 years. Most patients came from outside of Mwanza city. Twenty-percent had significantly elevated alanine transaminase, and over one-third had high DNA levels (>2000 IU/L). The prevalences of liver cirrhosis and significant liver fibrosis were 15% and 15.3%, respectively. None of the patients were on antiviral therapy for hepatitis B. A total of 64 (18.8%) patients met the criteria for treatment eligibility. Male sex, older age, residing outside Mwanza city, and anemia (all with p Conclusion and Recommendations: The significant number of HBV-infected patients is suitable for antiviral therapy but none of them have initiated the treatment. The significance of these findings is to emphasize the need for enhancing hepatitis B services in Tanzania.展开更多
Introduction: The burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is rapidly increasing in Tanzania. There is a rapid expansion of hemodialysis (HD) services to meet this demand. The quality of HD services, which is usually te...Introduction: The burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is rapidly increasing in Tanzania. There is a rapid expansion of hemodialysis (HD) services to meet this demand. The quality of HD services, which is usually termed HD inadequacy, is under-reported. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of HD inadequacy using two equations, urea reduction ratio (URR) and Kt/V and its associated factors. The correlation between URR and Kt/V for the diagnosis of HD inadequacy is also determined. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective longitudinal study conducted from March to July 2021 in 98 patients with CKD who underwent maintenance HD at Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, Tanzania. Demographic, laboratory, and clinical information was collected and analyzed. The HD inadequacy was estimated by using both the URR and the Kt/V equations. The correlation between the two equations was analyzed by using Cohen’s kappa. Results: The majority (69.4%) of the study participants were male and the mean age was 59 (48 - 68) years. The median hemoglobin level was 10 (8.9 - 11.2) g/dl, and the pre-dialytic urea was 15 (10.6 - 21.3) mmol/L. The prevalence of HD inadequacy was 36 (36.7%). The predictors of HD inadequacy were older age (>50 years) (OR = 3.6, 95 % CI 1.0 - 12.6, p = 0.04), moderate or severe anemia (OR = 4.7, 95 % CI 1.5 - 14.4, p = 0.006) and short duration of HD (OR = 3.1, 95 % CI 1.0 - 9.1, p = 0.04). There was a strong agreement between URR and Kt/V in the diagnosis of HD inadequacy (Kappa = 0.887). Conclusion and Recommendations: HD inadequacy is common, and most predictors can be prevented. Clinicians should use a personalized approach in making sure that anemia is appropriately treated and HD prescription is adhered to for better clinical outcomes among patients with HD.展开更多
文摘Introduction: Limited access to treatment is a crucial factor contributing to the suboptimal control of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, especially in sub-Saharan African countries such as Tanzania. The eligibility for antiviral therapy is typically determined based on the extent of HBV replication and liver damage. However, there is insufficient data available regarding the actual treatment needs and the overall characteristics of HBV-infected individuals in Tanzania. Therefore, the aim of this study is to fill this knowledge gap and provide valuable insights to aid in the planning of treatment programs. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study at Bugando Medical Centre in northwest Tanzania, examining the data of 340 patients who were diagnosed with chronic HBV infection and attending the hepatitis clinic. Data on sociodemographic, clinical, and investigation details were collected through electronic files and subsequently analyzed. The eligibility for HBV antiviral treatment was assessed using the criteria established by the World Health Organization (WHO). Results: Out of the 340 patients included in the study, the majorities were males 252 (74.1%) and had a median age of 36 years. Most patients came from outside of Mwanza city. Twenty-percent had significantly elevated alanine transaminase, and over one-third had high DNA levels (>2000 IU/L). The prevalences of liver cirrhosis and significant liver fibrosis were 15% and 15.3%, respectively. None of the patients were on antiviral therapy for hepatitis B. A total of 64 (18.8%) patients met the criteria for treatment eligibility. Male sex, older age, residing outside Mwanza city, and anemia (all with p Conclusion and Recommendations: The significant number of HBV-infected patients is suitable for antiviral therapy but none of them have initiated the treatment. The significance of these findings is to emphasize the need for enhancing hepatitis B services in Tanzania.
文摘Introduction: The burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is rapidly increasing in Tanzania. There is a rapid expansion of hemodialysis (HD) services to meet this demand. The quality of HD services, which is usually termed HD inadequacy, is under-reported. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of HD inadequacy using two equations, urea reduction ratio (URR) and Kt/V and its associated factors. The correlation between URR and Kt/V for the diagnosis of HD inadequacy is also determined. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective longitudinal study conducted from March to July 2021 in 98 patients with CKD who underwent maintenance HD at Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, Tanzania. Demographic, laboratory, and clinical information was collected and analyzed. The HD inadequacy was estimated by using both the URR and the Kt/V equations. The correlation between the two equations was analyzed by using Cohen’s kappa. Results: The majority (69.4%) of the study participants were male and the mean age was 59 (48 - 68) years. The median hemoglobin level was 10 (8.9 - 11.2) g/dl, and the pre-dialytic urea was 15 (10.6 - 21.3) mmol/L. The prevalence of HD inadequacy was 36 (36.7%). The predictors of HD inadequacy were older age (>50 years) (OR = 3.6, 95 % CI 1.0 - 12.6, p = 0.04), moderate or severe anemia (OR = 4.7, 95 % CI 1.5 - 14.4, p = 0.006) and short duration of HD (OR = 3.1, 95 % CI 1.0 - 9.1, p = 0.04). There was a strong agreement between URR and Kt/V in the diagnosis of HD inadequacy (Kappa = 0.887). Conclusion and Recommendations: HD inadequacy is common, and most predictors can be prevented. Clinicians should use a personalized approach in making sure that anemia is appropriately treated and HD prescription is adhered to for better clinical outcomes among patients with HD.
