Micro and macrovascular complications of diabetes mellitus in Cameroon: risk factors and effect of diabetic check-up - a monocentric observational study

Introduction: The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of vascular complications among diabetes patients (DP), to find out the relationship with risk factors and to assess the effect of diabetic check-up (DC) in the onset of these complications. Methods: Clinical and laboratory data of DP followed between 2000 and 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. Those with at least one DC were selected (140 out of 538). Risk factors were checked and listed. Prospectively, an electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded for 121 of them. Results: The sample was constituted of 78 (56%) men and 62 (44%) females; mean age was 55 ± 12 years. Type 2 Diabetes accounted for 94.3%. Microangiopathy distribution was: retinopathy = 23.6%, nephropathy = 25% and neuropathy = 40%. Within macroangiopathy prevalence was: 5% for stroke, 17.1% for limbs ischemic disease and 23.6% for coronary heart disease. Occurrence of complications was associated with hypertension, duration of diabetes, dyslipidemia, microalbuminuria, 24-hour proteinuria, body mass index and HbA1c. Diabetic neuropathy was neither associated to HbA1c nor microalbuminuria. HbA1c was conversely but not significantly associated with the number of DC realized. Conclusion: Vascular complications are considerably present in diabetes patients in the studied center, especially among those practicing less glycemic controls. Normalizing the level of HbA1c, controlling risk factors, and realizing DC may prevent the onset of vascular complications in DP.Key words: Diabetes mellitus, Microangiopathy, Macroangiopathy, HbA1c, Diabetic check-up, Cameroo

Séroprévalence et facteurs associés au VIH et aux hépatites virales B et C dans la ville de Bafoussam au Cameroun

Introduction: L'objectif de ce travail était de déterminer la séroprévalence et les facteurs associés au VIH et aux hépatites virales B et C dans laville de Bafoussam au Cameroun. Méthodes: Il s'agissait d'une étude descriptive et analytique réalisée de février 2012 à Juin 2012 dans la ville de Bafoussam au Cameroun. Pour cette étude, nous avons obtenu une clairance éthique.Résultats: Au total, 982 personnes ont été dépistées pour le VIH et les hépatites virales B et C. Les femmes représentaient 56,3% des personnes dépistées. La tranche d'âge la plus représentée était celle des 20 à 24 ans. L'âge médian était de 34,5 ans. Les prévalences du VIH, de l'AgHBs, et de l'Ac anti HCV étaient respectivement de 6,0%, 4,1%, et 0,4%. La prévalence du VIH était 2 fois plus élevée parmi les femmes que les hommes avec 8,1% contre 3,5% (p=0,01). Les prévalences les plus élevées ont été observées chez les personnes de 30 à 34 ans, 40 à 44 ans avec 15,0% et 11,5% (p=0,01), les personnes sans emploi avec 11,1% (p<0,001) et les personnes en union libre avec 17,9% (p=0,000). La  prévalence du VIH n'était pas directement liée aux comportements et pratiques sexuels de la population de l'étude. On enregistrait une  prévalence élevée de 29,3% chez les individus ayant déclaré avoir au moins une infection sexuellement transmissible (p=0,000). Conclusion: Il apparait urgent de mettre en place des stratégies de prévention contre le VIH, les hépatites virales et les facteurs associés au Cameroun

Refractive errors in Cameroonians diagnosed with complete oculocutaneous albinism

André Omgbwa Eballé1,3, Côme Ebana Mvogo2, Christelle Noche4, Marie Evodie Akono Zoua2, Andin Viola Dohvoma21Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon, 2Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon; 3Yaoundé Gynaeco-obstetric and Paediatric Hospital. Yaoundé, Cameroon; 4Faculty of Medicine, Université des Montagnes. Bangangté, CameroonBackground: Albinism causes significant eye morbidity and amblyopia in children. The aim of this study was to determine the refractive state in patients with complete oculocutaneous albinism who were treated at the Gynaeco-Obstetric and Paediatric Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon and evaluate its effect on vision.Methods: We carried out this retrospective study at the ophthalmology unit of our hospital. All oculocutaneous albino patients who were treated between March 1, 2003 and December 31, 2011 were included.Results: Thirty-five patients (70 eyes) diagnosed with complete oculocutaneous albinism were enrolled. Myopic astigmatism was the most common refractive error (40%). Compared with myopic patients, those with myopic astigmatism and hypermetropic astigmatism were four and ten times less likely, respectively, to demonstrate significant improvement in distance visual acuity following optical correction.Conclusion: Managing refractive errors is an important way to reduce eye morbidity-associated low vision in oculocutaneous albino patients.Keywords: albinism, visual acuity, refraction, Cameroo

Eye malformations in Cameroonian children: a clinical survey

André Omgbwa Eballé,1,2 Augustin Ellong,3 Godefroy Koki,3 Ngoune Chantal Nanfack,3 Viola Andin Dohvoma,3 Côme Ebana Mvogo2,31Yaoundé Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon; 2Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, Cameroon; 3Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, CameroonSummary: The aim of this work was to describe the clinical aspects of eye malformations observed at the ophthalmology unit of the Yaoundé Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital.Patients and methods: We carried out a retrospective study of all malformations of the eye and its adnexae observed among children aged 0–5 years who were seen at the ophthalmology unit from January 2003 to December 2009.Results: Out of the 2254 children who were examined, 150 (6.65%) presented eye malformations. The mean age was 14.40 ± 4 months. Eye malformations were diagnosed in 71.66% of cases during the first year of life. The most frequent malformations were congenital lacrimal duct obstruction (66.66%), congenital cataract (10.9%), congenital glaucoma (10.9%), microphthalmos (5.03%), and congenital ptosis (3.77%).Conclusion: Eye malformations among children can lead to visual impairment and are a cause for discomfort to children and parents. Therefore, systematic postnatal screening is recommended to enable early management.Keywords: malformations, ophthalmology, child, Cameroo

Secondary cataract: an epidemiologic and clinical survey at the Yaounde Gynaeco-obstetric and Paediatric Hospital

André Omgbwa Eballé1,3, Augustin Ellong2, Guy Patrick Ella2, Viola Andin Dohvoma2, Assumpta Lucienne Bella2, Côme Ebana Mvogo11Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon; 2Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon; 3Yaoundé Gynaeco-obstetric and Paediatric Hospital, Yaoundé, CameroonObjective: To determine the incidence and risk factors of secondary cataract.Materials and methods: A retrospective study involving a review of medical records in the ophthalmology unit of the Yaoundé Gynaeco-obstetric and Paediatric Hospital in Yaoundé, Cameroon, was carried out. All patients who had cataract surgery between January 2006 and September 2010 were included. Variables included age, sex, past medical history, morphology of primary cataract, type of surgery, intraocular lens implantation, site of implantation, intra- and postoperative complications, and the time lapse for the presentation of secondary cataract. Both univariate and bivariate analyses were carried out. The X2 test was used to compare proportions, and P-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results: A total of 864 eyes of 718 patients had cataract surgery. Ninety-two eyes developed posterior capsule opacification, giving an incidence of 10.65%. The mean age of patients who developed secondary cataract was 52.3 ± 23.05 years, with a range of 4 years to 84 years. Secondary cataract was more frequent in the age group of 0–20 years. The time lapse for presentation of secondary cataract was 64.7 ± 9.53 days, with a range of 1 to 504 days. Risk factors for the development of secondary cataract were age (P = 0.000), sex (P = 0.011), cortical cataract (P = 0.000), and postoperative inflammation (P = 0.000).Conclusion: The incidence of secondary cataract, though high in this study, is lower than that reported in other studies.Keywords: cataract, secondary cataract, incidence, Cameroo

Prevention of blindness in leprosy and the role of the Vision 2020 Programme.

Item does not contain fulltextLeprosy control programmes are highly successful. As a result, leprosy control will be more and more integrated into the general health services. The existing vertical, specialized control programmes will be dismantled. Eye complications in leprosy have decreased. This is a result of earlier diagnosis and highly effective multidrug treatment (MDT) of leprosy, combined with timely treatment of secondary nerve damage by steroids. Most ocular morbidity is now found among elderly and disabled leprosy patients who were diagnosed before effective MDT treatment became available. Many of these patients live in leprosy settlements. Age-related cataract has become the leading cause of blindness in leprosy. The second cause of blindness is corneal opacification, mainly as a result of neglected exposure keratitis and corneal anaesthesia. The miotic pupils in late multibacillary leprosy, in combination with small central lens opacities, may also lead to blindness. The Vision 2020 Initiative prioritises cataract surgery. Leprosy patients should be actively included. Disabled leprosy patients can also benefit from screening programmes for refractive errors and the provision of spectacles and low vision aids. Determining the most feasible surgical methods for lagophthalmos surgery remains a challenge. For all health and eye care staff, training in leprosy and its eye complications is needed, as well as a change in attitude towards leprosy patients. Staff must be prepared to welcome them in the general health services