Prevalence and Correlates of HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND) in Northwestern Nigeria

HIV-associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND) are common among HIV-positive individuals. This study explored the prevalence and correlates of HAND in Nigeria. 80 HIV-positive and 40 HIV-negative adults selected from Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) received comprehensive evaluations. A multidomain neuropsychological test (MDNPT) battery assessing 7 domains was administered to the participants and their performance was combined with measures of functional status to classify impairments into various grades of HAND. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify correlates of symptomatic HAND. Among the HIV-positive individuals, 50% were highly active antiretroviral therapy-experienced (HAART+) and 50% were highly active antiretroviral therapy naive (HAART−). Symptomatic HAND was found among 40% of the HAART− individuals and 30% of the HAART+ individuals. Respective prevalence of HIV-associated dementia (HAD) was 23% and 5%, respectively (p=0.0002). In a binary logistic regression model, only fewer years of education independently predicted symptomatic HAND [Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.04–1.44, p=0.016]. The prevalence of HAND in Nigeria is high with HAD being commoner among HAART− patients. Provision of HAART and strict monitoring of patients at risk of HAND are needed to scale down the burden of the disease

Rationale and Design of the Turkish Sleep Apnea Database - TURKAPNE: A National, Multicenter, Observational, Prospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of The Turkish Sleep Apnea Database (TURKAPNE) study is to generate a cross-sectional nationwide database for defining the clinical and polysomnographic characteristics of the patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in Turkey

Rationale and Design of the Turkish Sleep Apnea Database - TURKAPNE: A National, Multicenter, Observational, Prospective Cohort Study

WOS: 000439590300008PubMed ID: 30083405OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of The Turkish Sleep Apnea Database (TURKAPNE) study is to generate a cross-sectional nationwide database for defining the clinical and polysomnographic characteristics of the patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this ongoing project, all consecutive adults with suspected OSA are recruited from the sleep centers of the university and research hospitals in Turkey. Information on anthropometric data, educational status, driving license, smoking habits, alcohol use, comorbidities, drug use, questionnaires, polysomnographic, and/or cardiorespiratory polygraphic findings are recorded in a systematized Web-based report form. Blood glucose, lipids and other biochemical markers, lung function, and echocardiography measurements are optionally included. Follow-up data regarding treatment modality and compliance is assessed. Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between OSA phenotypes and metabolic, pulmonary, and cardiovascular comorbidities as well as traffic accidents, and the impact of treatment will be further explored. We target a total sample of 10,000 participants. RESULTS: The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02784977) in May 2016 and the first patient was recruited in October 2017. A total of 1911 participants from 19 centers have been enrolled in the study by May 31, 2018. CONCLUSION: The TURKAPNE study will contribute to a better understanding of the health-related burden of OSA phenotypes and its association with the comorbidities and adverse outcomes, including traffic accidents in Turkey. The results may also contribute to a more personalized approach and better management of varying OSA phenotypes with concomitant disorders.Turkish Thoracic SocietyThe foundation and infrastructure of the database was supported by grants from the Turkish Thoracic Society with no influence on the design of the study, the analysis of the data, the data collection, drafting of the manuscript, or the decision to publish

RESEARCH BURDEN OF INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASES IN TURKEY - RBILD

Introduction: The aim of our study is to investigate the etiological distribution of ILD in Turkey by stratifying the epidemiological characteristics of ILD cases, and the direct cost of initial diagnosis of the diag-nosed patients. Material-Method: The study was conducted as a multicenter, prospective, cross-sectional, clinical observation study. Patients over the age of 18 and who accepted to participate to the study were included and evaluated as considered to be ILD. The findings of diagnosis, examination and treatment carried out by the cent-ers in accordance with routine diagnostic procedures were recorded observationally. Results: In total,1070 patients were included in this study. 567 (53%) of the patients were male and 503 (47%) were female. The most frequently diagnosed disease was IPF (30.5%). Dyspnea (75.9%) was the highest incidence among the presenting symptoms. Physical examination found bibasilar inspiratory crackles in 56.2 % and radiological findings included reticular opacities and interlobular septal thickenings in 55.9 % of the cases. It was observed that clinical and radiological findings were used most frequently (74.9%) as a diagnostic tool. While the most common treatment approaches were the use of systemic steroids and antifibrotic drugs with a rate of 30.7% and 85.6%, respectively. The total median cost from the patient's admission to diagnosis was 540 Turkish Lira. Conclusion: We believe that our findings compared with data from other countries will be useful in showing the current situation of ILD in our country to discuss this problem and making plans for a solution