Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Associated Risk Factors in Obese Nigerians: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now adjudged the most common liver disease in the world, contributing to the rising incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. However, the true prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease among obese individuals and its contribution to the burden of liver disease in Nigeria is unknown.

AIM

To determine the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and associated risk factors in obese subjects.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional analytical study of 280 obese subjects and 280 nonobese age and sex-matched controls seen at our health facility. Data collection was done using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and anthropometric parameters were obtained. Fasting blood samples were collected for blood glucose, lipid profile, and liver biochemistry. Abdominal ultrasound was used to screen for NAFLD. The results were subjected to relevant statistical analysis using SPSS version 20.

RESULTS

A higher prevalence of NAFLD was found in obese subjects, compared with nonobese controls (36.4% versus 0.4% P < 0.001). The degree of obesity, transaminases, total cholesterol, diastolic hypertension, fasting blood glucose, and waist circumference was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of NAFLD. However, using multivariate logistic regression analysis, diabetes mellitus and hypertension were significant associations for NAFLD. Individuals with NAFLD had a significantly higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome 65.9%, compared with 34.1% in obese individuals without NAFLD (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of NAFLD in obese subjects was significant. NAFLD in obese subjects was associated with degree of obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus.

Pyoderma Gangrenosum in a Young Nigerian Male with Severe Ulcerative Colitis: A Case Report

Pyoderma gangrenosum manifests as recurrent deep ulceration of the skin and is associated with a variety of disorders. We report a 40-year-old man who developed ulcers on the flexor surface of his right lower limb following a trauma 10 years prior to the current presentation. He was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis 20 years ago, and was previously placed on sulfasalazine and prednisolone. He also developed an enterocutaneous fistula at the right iliac fossa following an appendectomy he had 16 years previously. Mayo score of his ulcerative colitis was severe (11/12), and he received three courses of intravenous infliximab at irregular intervals as it was difficult to access Infliximab in Nigeria. He was stepped down to tablet Mesalazine after the third course due to cost considerations, and skin grafting was done for the extensive leg ulcer to achieve wound healing after failed steroid and sulfasalazine therapy.

Sero-prevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection: A cross-sectional study of a large population of health care workers in Nigeria

Background

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been recognized globally as a major public health challenge necessitating a global call for increased awareness, patients' identification, and development of activities for prevention and control of the disease. Consequently, massive health education campaigns and screening exercises have been mounted globally to mark the World Hepatitis Day (WHD).

Aims

As part of WHD 2016 activities, we undertook a survey and screening of health care workers in order to raise awareness, identify patients and contribute to the Global Health Strategy goal of eliminating HBV infection by the year 2030.

Method

This was a cross-sectional analytical study done at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria. Hospital workers voluntarily presented themselves to be screened using a rapid test kit and completing a semi-structured investigator-administered questionnaire.

Results

A total of 3123 participants were studied. The mean age of the participants was 39.4 ± 9.6 years. The seroprevalence of HBV infection was 2.3%. Most (97.0%) of the participants had previously heard about HBV infection and over two thirds (68.1%) could correctly identify risk factors and modes of transmission of HBV. Twenty-eight and a half percent of the participants knew their hepatitis B virus status prior to the study.

Conclusion

The seroprevalence of HBV among healthcare workers in Enugu, Nigeria is relatively low compared to figures from other African countries. The healthcare workers have considerable knowledge of the disease. However, the observed knowledge gaps in awareness and screening need to be addressed.

Prevalence and distribution of hypertension in overweight and obese subjects in an urban community in Enugu, South East Nigeria. A post hoc analysis

Background

Most recent studies in Nigeria have documented high prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Several mechanisms may link hypertension and obesity hence the high prevalences of both disorders in Nigeria. There are however no studies on the prevalence of hypertension among the obese in urban settings.

Aims

The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence and pattern of hypertension in overweight/obese individuals in a community.

Methods

We conducted a post-hoc analysis on obese subjects 20 years and above from two urban settlements within Enugu metropolis. For database management and statistical analyses, we used the SPSS version 22.

Results

Data from a total of 301 individuals with obesity who met the selection criteria were re-analyzed. A total of 198 (65.8%) individuals were found to have hypertension most of whom were newly diagnosed 110 (55.6%). The prevalence of hypertension was 65.8% and increased with age and BMI.

Conclusion

Individuals with overweight/obesity have very high rates of hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension also increased with and BMI. Thus, there is need for targeted health education in adults to address the burden of obesity and hypertension to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in the community.

Health-related quality of life in people with chronic diseases managed in a low-resource setting - A study from South East Nigeria

Background

Assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in resource-limited settings is critical to evaluate and improve the burden of morbidity and mortality associated with chronic medical disorders. There is a dearth of data on HRQOL among patients suffering from chronic medical disorders in Nigeria. This study assessed the HRQOL of participants with diabetes mellitus (DM), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and cancer in a hospital setting with limited resources and highlighted associated factors.

Methods

The WHOQOL-BREF instrument was used to study a cross section of the participants at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).

Results

The distribution of the 613 study population was diabetes mellitus 120, HIV 389, and various cancers 104. Majority (67.9%) earned less than $1 per day and only 7.5% had any form of health insurance. The HIV group had higher QoL scores. Younger age, higher educational status, being employed, and having a care giver were positively associated with higher QoL. Patients with no comorbidities (76.6%) had an overall higher QoL score.

Conclusion

Majority of the patients living with chronic medical diseases in Enugu, Nigeria were poor, vulnerable, and without access to health insurance. People living HIV generally had better quality life than those with other health conditions. There is a huge unmet need for people living with chronic medical conditions in Nigeria, which require strategies to counteract.

Uptake of hepatitis B vaccination and its determinants among health care workers in a tertiary health facility in Enugu, South-East, Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis B vaccination is the most effective method of prevention for hepatitis B virus infection. It is a major public health problem in Nigeria, and health workers are at increased risk. This study determined the uptake of hepatitis B vaccination and assessed its determinants among health care workers (HCWs).

METHODS

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted between July and August, 2016 using self-administered structured questionnaires among 3132 HCWs in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, South-East, Nigeria. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors that influenced uptake of vaccination. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee of the health facility.

RESULTS

The uptake of hepatitis B vaccination was 14.2% (n = 445). The number of doses received were: 3 doses (218/3132, 48.9%), 2 doses (71/3132, 16.0%), and one dose (156/3132, 35.1%). The reasons for non-uptake of vaccination included: cost of vaccine 48 (10.8%), 'did not believe they could be infected' 28 (6.6%), long vaccination schedule, and lack of time 150 (35.1%). The Odds for uptake of hepatitis B vaccination were 22% lower among nurses compared to doctors (AOR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.54-0.98, P = 0.037). It increased with increasing age (AOR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.08-1.59, P <  0.001), increasing duration of work in the hospital (AOR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.09-1.32, P = 0.032), and was about twice higher among those that had tertiary education than others that had less education (AOR = 1.96, 95 CI = 0.76-5.07, P = 0.164).

CONCLUSIONS

The uptake of hepatitis B vaccination was low among HCWs in Enugu, Nigeria. Age, staff category, and duration of work in the hospital, were independently associated with hepatitis B vaccination. Provision of adequate hepatitis B surface antigen screening facilities and vaccination sites where the cost of vaccination is subsidized for all HCWs is recommended.

Reference intervals for serum cystatin C and creatinine of an indigenous adult Nigerian population

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Estimation of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is important for the evaluation of patients with kidney disease. Some studies suggest that GFR estimated from serum cystatin C (Cys C) is more accurate than that from serum creatinine (SCr). For Cys C to be used for this purpose, normal values need to be determined for various populations. This study determined the serum Cys C levels and reference intervals (RIs) of a Nigerian population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Three hundred and four healthy adult subjects were analysed. Serum Cys C and SCr were determined by particle enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay and modified Jaffe kinetic method respectively. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 17.0 (SPSS for Windows Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Estimation of RIs was done as per the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry guidelines.

RESULTS

The RIs for Cys C were 0.65-1.12 mg/L (median 0.86) for males, 0.62-1.12 mg/L (median 0.85) for females and 0.64-1.12 mg/L (median 0.86) for all the subjects. The RIs for SCr were 73-110 μmol/L (median 89) for males, 65-102 μmol/L (median 82) for females and 66-106 μmol/L (median 86) for all the subjects. There was no significant gender difference in the RIs for serum Cys C, (P > 0.05). The SCr levels and RI were significantly lower in females than in males (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study has determined the serum Cys C levels and RI of an indigenous healthy adult black population in Nigeria.