Factors associated with uncontrolled asthma in adult asthmatics in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

BackgroundThe ultimate goal of asthma treatment is long-term control. Uncontrolled asthma is a major public health problem worldwide, but there is a lack of data on asthma control and its causes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).ObjectiveTo determine the socio-demographic, environmental, clinical, and biological factors and comorbidities associated with uncontrolled adult asthma in Kinshasa, DRC.MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional study of 216 male and female asthmatics aged 18 and over consecutively recruited from tertiary clinics and the community in Kinshasa between June 2017 and February 2018. For each subject, socio-demographic, clinical, para clinical and environmental data were recorded. Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) values were obtained by Spirometry, allergen testing performed using the skin prick test, serum vitamin D levels measured by radioimmunoassay, and asthma control assessed using the asthma control test (ACT) score. Multiple logistic regression identified factors associated with uncontrolled asthma.ResultsThe average age of participants was 45.2 (SD 17.6) years, 74% were female, and 42% had a low educational level. Among all asthmatics, the prevalence of uncontrolled asthma was 56%, abnormal serum vitamin D level 95%, abnormal FEV1 65%, sensitization to two allergens (cat dander and dust mites) 18%, sleep disorders 37%, and heartburn 60%. Male (aOR 2.24; 95% CIs 1.04-4.79), low educational level (aOR 3.26; 95% CIs 1.54-6.67), sensitization to both cat dander and dust mites (aOR 2.67; 95% CIs 1.16-6.14), FEV1 ≤80% (aOR 2.07; 95% CIs 1.08-3.96), abnormal serum vitamin D level (aOR 5.11; 95% CIs 1.17-22.33), sleep disorders (aOR 1.96; 95% CIs 1.04-3.71), and heartburn (aOR 2.02; 95% CIs 1.04-3.92) were significantly associated with uncontrolled asthma.ConclusionUncontrolled asthma is common in Kinshasa, and these factors associated with uncontrolled asthma may be considered as targets for future intervention strategies

Factors associated with the presence of asthma in Kinshasa.

<p>Factors associated with the presence of asthma in Kinshasa.</p

Protective BCL11A and HBS1L-MYB polymorphisms in a cohort of 102 Congolese patients suffering from sickle cell anemia.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the distribution of selected BCL11A and HMIP polymorphisms (SNP's), and to assess the correlation with HPFH in a cohort of sickle cell patients. METHODS: A preliminary cross-sectional study was conducted in 102 patients. Group 1 was composed of patients with HPFH and Group 2 consisted of patients without HbF. We assessed 8 SNPs previously associated with HPFH in cohorts genetically close to the Congolese population. Observed frequencies were compared to expected frequencies. RESULTS: In the group 1, at rs7606173, the observed frequency for the genotype GG was significantly higher and the genotype GC was significantly lower than their respective expected frequencies. At rs9399137, the observed frequency of the genotype TT was significantly lower than expected. Conversely, the observed frequency of the genotype TC was significantly higher than expected. The observed frequency of the genotype TT at rs11886868 was significantly lower than the expected whereas the frequency of the genotype TC was significantly higher than observed. The lowest HbF level was recorded in patients with genotype CC at rs11886868. CONCLUSION: In this preliminary study, the results demonstrate that alleles of some of the 8 studied SNPs are not randomly distributed among patients with or without HPFH in this cohort

Prevalence and determinants of asthma in adults in Kinshasa

<div><p>Background</p><p>Epidemiological data on asthma among adults in sub-Saharan Africa are sparse.</p><p>Objective</p><p>To determine the prevalence of and factors associated with asthma among adults in Kinshasa.</p><p>Methods</p><p>A previously validated asthma questionnaire was administered to an adult population aged ≥18 years in urban and peri-urban suburbs of Kinshasa. A random stratified multi-stage sampling plan was used to select the study participants. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with asthma.</p><p>Results</p><p>The mean age of respondents was 36.7 (SD 15.36) years, 75% lived in an urban environment, and 57% were women. The prevalence of asthma-ever was 6.9% (95% CI: 5.4–8.4). Among asthmatic patients, intermittent asthma was estimated at 75.7% and severe asthma at 9.3%. Family atopy (OR: 3.97; 95% CI: 2.42–6.50; p<0.001), and the presence of a cat in the house (OR: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.01–3.28; p = 0.045) were associated with self-reported asthma.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Asthma is relatively frequent in adults in Kinshasa, a prevalence similar to those reported elsewhere in Africa. Family atopy and the presence of a cat in the house could be the most common determinants to be confirmed with national survey in order to design guidelines for the control of asthma.</p></div

Protective BCL11A and HBS1L-MYB polymorphisms in a cohort of 102 Congolese patients suffering from sickle cell anemia

We aimed to investigate the distribution of selected BCL11A and HMIP polymorphisms (SNP's), and to assess the correlation with HPFH in a cohort of sickle cell patients.status: publishe

Distribution of asthma declared in the population of the city of Kinshasa, 2016.

<p>Distribution of asthma declared in the population of the city of Kinshasa, 2016.</p

Sociodemographic characteristics of the study population.

<p>Sociodemographic characteristics of the study population.</p

Symptoms suggestive of asthma according to gender.

<p>Symptoms suggestive of asthma according to gender.</p

Impact de la mise en place d’un réseau des soins pour la traumatologie grave dans la ville de Kinshasa, RD Congo : étude quasi-expérimentale

Contexte et objectif: Une part non négligeable de décès posttraumatiques semble évitable par une meilleure prise en charge. L’objectif de la présente étude était d’évaluer l’impact de la mise en place d’un réseau des soins sur la mortalité des patients traumatisés graves dans la ville de Kinshasa. Méthodes: C’était une étude multicentrique quasi-expérimentale avant/après portant sur les patients adultes hospitalisés en réanimation ousoins intensifs pour traumatisme grave, entre le 1er janvier 2009 et le 31 décembre 2014. L’intervention a consisté à la mise en place d’un réseau de soins entre les deux groupes. La mortalité hospitalière ajustée sur l’âge, le sexe et le score RTS étaient le critère de jugement principal. Résultats: Au total, 4 hôpitaux ont participé et ont inclus 195 patients consécutifs dans le groupe pré-interventionnel contre 9 hôpitaux et 210 patients dans le groupe post-interventionnel. Entre les deux groupes, le taux d’admission directe s’est amélioré (48,6 % vs 75,9 %) ainsi que le temps d’arrivée à l’hôpital (6,5 h vs 4,2 h). Il a été relevé une diminution des volumes de perfusion associée à une augmentation des taux d’utilisation des catécholamines (2% vs 6,6 %), de la transfusion sanguine (15,8 % vs 25,7 %) et de l’acide tranexamique (zéro % vs 77,6 %). Le taux d’intubationen cas de GCS &lt; 9 (13,2 % vs 37 %), d’administration de mannitol en présence d’une mydriase (58 % vs 72,4 %) et de réalisation du scanner cérébral chez les patients ayant un GCS ≤14 (10,6 % vs 54,6%) ont augmenté également. En revanche, le pourcentage de patients ayant bénéficié d’un&nbsp; drainage thoracique (0,5 % vs 1,4 %) et la fréquence d’actes de chirurgie (43 % vs 50 %) n’ont pas significativement varié. La mortalité, quant à elle,&nbsp; est significativement passée de 73,3 % à 54,7 %. Conclusion: Une amélioration des pratiques et une baisse de la mortalité ont été observées après&nbsp; la mise en place du réseau de soins. &nbsp; English title: Impact of the establishment of a severe trauma care network in the City of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a quasi-experimental study Context and objective: Better management is mandatory for avoidable post-traumatic deaths. This study aimed to assess the impact of the&nbsp; implementation of a trauma network on the mortality of severe trauma patients in Kinshasa, DR Congo. Methods: The multicentric quasic-experimental before/after survey included adult patients admitted in intensive care unit for trauma in Kinshasa&nbsp; between January 2009 and December 2014. The relevance of the implementation of a trauma network was assessed. In-hospital mortality adjusted&nbsp; for age, gender and RTS score was the primary endpoint. Results: A total of 195 consecutive patients was concerned from 4 hospitals in the pre-intervention group vs 210 patients from 9 hospitals in the&nbsp; postintervention group. In the two groups, the direct admission rate improved (48.6 % vs 75.9 %) as well as the time of arrival at the hospital (4.2 h&nbsp; vs 6.5 h). There was a decrease in infusion volumes associated with an increase utilization rate of catecholamines 2 % vs. 6.6 %), blood transfusion (15.8 % vs. 25.7 %) and acid tranexamic (0 % vs 77.6 %). The rate of intubation in the event of GCS &lt; 9 (13.2 % vs 37 %), administration of mannitol in&nbsp; the presence of mydriasis (58 % vs 72.4 %) and realization of the brain scan in patients with a GCS ≤14 (10.6 % vs&nbsp; 4.6 %) also increased. However, the&nbsp; percentage of patients who received chest drainage (0.5 % vs&nbsp; 1.4 %) and the frequency of surgery (43 % vs 50 %) did not vary significantly. Mortality, meanwhile, fell from 73.3 % to 54.7 %. Conclusion: An improvement in practices and a reduction in mortality were observed after the&nbsp; implementation of the trauma network