Plasma paraoxonase-1 activity levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is a high-density lipoprotein (HDL) associated enzyme that has anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic, and antioxidant functions. PON1 is noted to be a determinant of resistance to the development of atherosclerosis through hydrolysis of phospholipid and cholesteryl ester hydroperoxides. This study was designed to assess PON1 activity levels among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Southwest Nigeria.

Assessment of Plasma Sodium to Potassium Ratio, Renal Function, Markers of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Endothelial Dysfunction in Nigerian Hypertensive Patients.

Background: This study investigated plasma sodium/potassium ratio, markers of oxidative stress, renal function, and endothelial dysfunction in hypertensive Nigerians.

Materials And Methods: Five hundred forty-nine volunteers consisting of three hundred and twenty-four hypertensive and two hundred twenty-five controls participated in this study. Blood samples were collected from the participants and were analyzed for electrolytes, markers of oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, renal function, and inflammation, using ion-selective electrodes, spectrophotometric, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods, respectively.

Assessment of Ventricular Repolarization in Sickle Cell Anemia Patients: The Role of QTc Interval, Tp-e Interval and Tp-e/QTc Ratio and Its Gender Implication.

Background: Many specific and non-specific electrocardiographic abnormalities including ventricular arrhythmias have been reported in subjects with sickle cell anemia (SCA). In SCA patients, cardiac electrical abnormalities may be the leading cause of increased risk of arrhythmias. The corrected QT (QTc) interval, peak to the end of the T wave (Tp-e) interval and associated Tp-e/QTc ratio are promising measures of altered ventricular repolarization and increased arrhythmogenesis risk.

Heart rate variability and arrhythmic patterns of 24-hour Holter electrocardiography among Nigerians with cardiovascular diseases.

Background: Facilities for Holter electrocardiography (ECG) monitoring in many Nigerian hospitals are limited. There are few published works in Nigeria on the use of 24-hour Holter ECG in cardiac arrhythmic evaluation of patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Objective: To study the clinical indications, arrhythmic pattern, and heart rate variability (HRV) among subjects referred for 24-hour Holter ECG at our Cardiac Care Unit.

Pattern of arrhythmias among Nigerians with congestive heart failure.

Background: In patients with heart failure, death is often sudden due to life-threatening arrhythmias. This work was carried out to evaluate the pattern of arrhythmias in Nigerians with heart failure.

Materials And Methods: Thirty subjects with congestive heart failure (CHF), 30 subjects with hypertensive heart disease, and 15 normal subjects with no obvious features of heart disease were evaluated with resting and 24-hour electrocardiographic monitoring and transthoracic echocardiography.

The effect of psychological distress on medication adherence in persons with HIV infection in Nigeria.

Background: A high level of adherence to prescribed antiretroviral (ARV) regimens is required to achieve and maintain suppression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication and prevent drug resistance.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the possible relationship between psychopathology and ARV medication adherence in Nigeria.

Method: Persons with HIV infection (N=182) completed various questionnaires on sociodemographic and clinical details, general psychopathology, self-esteem, and medication adherence.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after stigma related events in HIV infected individuals in Nigeria.

Background: One of the most distressing concerns of many people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa is the stigma. Intense stigma may be traumatic. This study aimed to investigate the probability and correlates of Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following intense stigmatizing events and situations in HIV infected individuals in Nigeria.

Relationship between depression and quality of life in persons with HIV infection in Nigeria.

Objective: Despite the fact that two-thirds of all the people with HIV live in sub-Saharan Africa, little is known about the emotional state and quality of life (QOL) of subjects with HIV in this region. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between clinical depression and quality of life in a group of HIV sero-positive subjects in Nigeria.

Methods: Subjects with HIV infection (n = 87) completed a questionnaire detailing sociodemographic and HIV related variables.

Psychiatric disorders among the HIV-positive population in Nigeria: a control study.

Objective: This article estimates the point prevalence of psychiatric disorders in a sample of HIV-positive subjects in Nigeria in comparison with normal HIV-negative controls and evaluates the possible sociodemographic and clinical correlates of psychiatric disorders in HIV-positive subjects.

Methods: HIV-positive subjects (n=88) and HIV-negative healthy controls (n=87) were assessed for their current diagnosis of DSM-IV psychiatric disorders via the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Sociodemographic and clinical details were also obtained.