Rarity of Myasthenia Gravis in Northern Nigerians

This is a 10 year retrospective review of patients managed at the Ahmadu Bello Teaching hospital, Zaria, Nigeria for myasthenia gravis. Only 4 patients were identified from the hospital's records. Myasthenia gravis appears uncommon in this environment. Reasons for the apparent rarity of this condition and other autoimmune diseases in the environment are discussed

Serum homocysteine levels and lipid profile in Type 2 diabetic patients in Zaria, northern Nigeria

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most frequently occurring non-communicable disorders characterized by hyperglycemia. Diabetic individuals are highly prone to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and hence it is necessary to search for advanced markers to assess the CVD risk. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum homocysteine concentrations and lipids in Type 2 diabetic patients in Zaria, Kaduna State, Northern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The study was a cross-sectional type. A consecutive sampling method was employed to select the subjects who satisfy the study inclusion criteria. Informed consent for inclusion into the study was obtained from the subjects. Anthropometric measures, blood pressures were recorded for each of the subjects. This was followed the collection of blood specimens. Diabetes mellitus status was confirmed biochemically according to World Health Organization diagnostic criteria for classification of diabetes mellitus. We assessed 140 men and women with type 2 diabetes in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, Nigeria. Serum total homocysteine concentration was measured using ELISA method. Serum lipids concentrations were measured using a commercial enzymatic kit method. Results: The mean values of homocysteine levels and lipids (TC, TG, HDL, LDL, TC: HDL), were higher among diabetic patients than those of control group (p=0.000). Similarly the mean values of other biochemical analytes (FBG and HbA1c) were also higher among diabetic patients when compared to control group (p=0.000). Conclusion: High levels of homocysteine and dyslipidaemia are implicated in the development of cardiovascular complications in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Prevalence and Pattern of Skin Diseases in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus at a Tertiary Hospital in Northern Nigeria

Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common metabolic disorders with a rising prevalence. It cuts across all ages and socioeconomic status. Various skin lesions are frequently observed in diabetic patients. Aims: This study was carried out to determine the prevalence, pattern, and determinants of skin diseases in diabetic patients at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna, North West Nigeria. Materials and Methods: One hundred consecutive diabetic patients attending the clinic were included in the study. Results: Many of the patients had more than one skin condition at a time. The most prevalent skin diseases were idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis which was seen in 61% of patients, infections from fungal, bacterial, and viral causes occurred in 30% of patients, other skin disorders were diabetic dermopathy seen in 17% of patients, palmoplantar hyperpigmentation was seen in 13% of patients, while pruritus occurred in 12% of patients and xerosis was seen in 10% of patients. Conclusion: Skin disorders are common among diabetic patients at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna, North West Nigeria. Keywords: Cutaneous manifestations, diabetes mellitus, pattern, prevalenc

RARITY OF MYASTHENIA GRAVIS IN NORTHERN NIGERIANS

This is a 10 year retrospective review of patients managed at the Ahmadu Bello Teaching hospital, Zaria, Nigeria for myasthenia gravis. Only 4 patients were identified from the hospital's records. Myasthenia gravis appears uncommon in this environment. Reasons for the apparent rarity of this condition and other autoimmune diseases in the environment are discussed

Prevalence and Pattern of Skin Diseases in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus at a Tertiary Hospital in Northern Nigeria

Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common metabolic disorders with a rising prevalence. It cuts across all ages and socioeconomic status. Various skin lesions are frequently observed in diabetic patients. Aims: This study was carried out to determine the prevalence, pattern, and determinants of skin diseases in diabetic patients at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna, North West Nigeria. Materials and Methods: One hundred consecutive diabetic patients attending the clinic were included in the study. Results: Many of the patients had more than one skin condition at a time. The most prevalent skin diseases were idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis which was seen in 61% of patients, infections from fungal, bacterial, and viral causes occurred in 30% of patients, other skin disorders were diabetic dermopathy seen in 17% of patients, palmoplantar hyperpigmentation was seen in 13% of patients, while pruritus occurred in 12% of patients and xerosis was seen in 10% of patients. Conclusion: Skin disorders are common among diabetic patients at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna, North West Nigeria. Keywords: Cutaneous manifestations, diabetes mellitus, pattern, prevalenc

Aetiological Patterns of Major Limb Amputations and Their Complications in Zaria, Nigeria

Background: Amputation is an unwanted but necessary ablative surgical procedure that is usually carried out as a last resort in an individual whose life is endangered by a disease condition. It is an ancient procedure that dates back to over 2500years during the time of Hippocrates. In the earlydays, the procedure was carried out crudely by removing a limb rapidly from the patient without anaesthesia.Haemostasis was only achieved by dipping the stump in boiling oil or crushing. Surgical amputation has very devastating psychological, social as well as economic effects on the patient and the family. It also has a downturn play on the economy of the society as most of the victims are the young and middle aged individuals who constitute the major work force in the community.Materials and Methods: Case records of all patients at Ahmadu Bello University teaching hospital who had amputation were retrospectively reviewed over five years. The period studied was between 2009 and 2013. The demographic data of the patients, the etiological factorsleading to the amputation, degree of tissue damage, level of amputation, the length of amputation stump and complications were studied. These complications include infection, flap necrosis, wound dehiscence and anemia.Patients included in the study were those that had majorlimb amputation and have traceable records and had a minimum follow up of one year.Results: One hundred and nineteen patients had major limb amputation. Eighty-one of them (68%) were males and 38 (31.9%), females with M:F = 2.1:1. Mean age of the patients was 35.99( 21.8) years. Seventy-nine (66.4%) of the patients were below the age of 40years and 40 (38.6%), above40years of age. The commonest indication for amputation was post traditional Bonesetter gangrene of the limb (31.1%) followed by Diabetic foot gangrene (24.4%) and crush injury (11.8%). There were more lower limb amputations (81.7%)than upper limb amputations (18.3%). Postoperative stump wound infection was the commonest complication (26.1% of total and 44.9% of all complications) followed by anemia. There were 3(2.5%) records of mortuary.Conclusion: Traditional bone setters' (TBS) gangrene and Diabetic foot gangrene were the commonest indications for major limb amputations in our center. Most of the amputations could have been most likely avoided if the patients with trauma presented to the hospital directly wheresalvage measures would have been implemented, and diabetic foot gangrene would be prevented by close observation and institution of preventive measures. Adequate attention paid to predisposing factors will go a long way to reduce the indications for as well as the complicationsof amputation