Electrocardiographic abnormalities in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: This study review aimed to consolidate current knowledge on the electrocardiographic abnormalities observed in patients with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), formerly known as Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).

Methods: This was a systematic review of studies on the association between MASLD and electrocardiographic abnormalities, published between January 1, 1946, and October 31, 2023. Data from eligible studies were extracted, analyzed, synthesized, and summarized.

Usefulness of disease surveillance data in enhanced early warning of the cholera outbreak in Southwest Cameroon, 2018.

Introduction: This study assessed the timeliness and completeness of disease surveillance data for early warning of the cholera outbreak during the socio-political crisis of Southwest Cameroon in 2018. It determined how routine integrated disease surveillance and response (IDSR) data was used for preventative actions and the challenges faced by key health staff in IDSR based decision-making.

Methods: This was a mixed-methods study conducted from June 1st to September 30th 2021.

Incidence and prevalence of type 1 diabetes in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

Introduction: Type 1 diabetes is reported to have significant mortality in Africa. However, there is a paucity of data on pooled estimates of its incidence and prevalence in Africa. This first systematic review and meta-analysis will be conducted to determine the incidence and prevalence of this condition in Africa.

A 73-Year-Old Man with an Incidental Diagnosis of Deltoid Intramuscular Myxoma Following a History of Trauma.

BACKGROUND Intramuscular myxomas are rare and benign soft-tissue tumors of uncertain differentiation. Predisposing or precipitating factors have not yet been reported. Activating mutation in GNAS (exons 8 and 9) is detected in >90% of sporadic cases.

A systematic review and meta-analysis on the association between ambient air pollution and pulmonary tuberculosis.

There is inconclusive evidence on the association between ambient air pollution and pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) incidence, tuberculosis-related hospital admission and mortality. This review aimed to assess the extent to which selected air pollutants are associated to PTB incidence, hospital admissions and mortality. This was a systematic review of studies published in English from January 1st, 1946, through May 31st, 2022, that quantitatively assessed the association between PM, PM, NO, SO, CO, O and the incidence of, hospital admission or death from PTB.

Emergence of universal antiretroviral therapy coverage in South Africa: applying the advocacy coalition framework to refine the narratives and inform epidemic responses.

South Africa possesses the largest anti-retroviral therapy (ART) program in the world, but the path to this record was dramatic. There is scarce literature employing a comprehensive framework to explain this achievement and inform epidemic responses. This paper applies the Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF) to analyse the interactions among diverse actors, institutions and networks that were associated with the AIDS policy change in South Africa.

A Case Report of Steroid-Resistant Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia Managed with Intravenous Immunoglobulins.

Fewer than ten reported cases of cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) have been managed with intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg). We report a case of a 72-year-old man who presented with a worsening cough and diffuse opacities on chest radiograph. Following no improvement with antibiotics and negative complementary investigations for infectious, malignant, and autoimmune etiologies, COP was confirmed on lung biopsy.

Factors associated with measles resurgence in the United States in the post-elimination era.

There have been growing concerns of a potential re-establishment of measles transmission in the United States (US) in the years to come. This study aims to explore potential factors underlying the resurgence of measles in the US by objectively assessing the associations between annual incidence rates (AIR), case importation, vaccination status and disease outbreaks. Data on measles transmission between January 1st, 2001 and December 31st, 2019 were obtained from the national centres for disease control and prevention (CDC) surveillance databases and other published reports.

Systematic review of therapeutic outcomes of multidrug resistant tuberculosis and their predictors in adults receiving integrated treatment of tuberculosis and human immuno-deficiency virus in low- and middle-income countries: a study protocol.

Background: Programs that integrate tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment aim to provide efficient treatment services and maximize successful treatment outcomes through the delivery of both TB and HIV treatment by one provider at the same time and location. However, multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is more difficult to treat as compared to drug-sensitive TB, and in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the potential of programs integrating TB/HIV treatment to sustain favourable MDR-TB treatment outcomes is poorly elucidated. The objective of this review is to perform a systematic collection, critical appraisal and synthesis of existing evidence on therapeutic outcomes of MDR-TB and their predictors among adults receiving integrated treatment for TB/HIV in LMICs.

Evaluation of the accuracy of two point-of-care haemoglobin meters used in sub-Saharan African population: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Point-of-care haemoglobin meters are attractive solutions to improve timely diagnosis of anaemia in resource-limited settings. However, concerns regarding the accuracy of these meters may affect their adoption. The accuracy of two hand-held point-of-care haemoglobin meters was evaluated against reference full blood count analyser.

Evaluation of emergency obstetric and neonatal care services in Kumba Health District, Southwest region, Cameroon (2011-2014): a before-after study.

Background: There is uncertainty regarding the status of emergency obstetric and neonatal care (EmONC) in the Cameroonian context where maternal and neonatal mortality are persistently high. This study sought to evaluate the coverage, functionality and quality of EmONC services in Kumba health district (KHD), the largest health district in Southwest Cameroon..

Barriers to and enablers of uptake of and adherence to antiretroviral therapy in the context of integrated HIV and tuberculosis treatment among adults in sub-Saharan Africa: a protocol for a systematic literature review.

Introduction: The scale-up of integrated Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) treatment has been an important intervention to curb the burden of HIV and TB co-infection worldwide. Uptake of and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) are key determinants of the quality and therapeutic endpoints of this intervention. This study aims to conduct an up-to-date collection and synthesis of evidence on barriers to and facilitators of uptake of and adherence to ART in HIV/TB integrated treatment programs in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Current challenges and proposed solutions to the effective implementation of the RTS, S/AS01 Malaria Vaccine Program in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review.

Background: The Malaria Vaccine Implementation Program, coordinated by the World Health Organization, intended to initiate the roll-out of the RTS, S/AS01 malaria vaccine in 3 sub-Saharan African countries in 2018. With sub-optimal implementation, the effectiveness of this vaccine in routine clinical use could be significantly lower than its measured efficacy in randomized trials. This study had as objectives to systematically review and summarize published studies addressing the challenges faced during the implementation phase of malaria vaccination programs and randomized trials conducted in sub-Saharan Africa.

An unusual case of extensive truncal cutaneous larva migrans in a Cameroonian baby: a case report.

Background: Cutaneous larva migrans is a neglected zoonotic helminthic disease which is paradoxically underreported in low-income and middle-income countries from where a majority of the cases emanate. It presents as migratory, raised, erythematous serpentine lesions, responsive to treatment with antihelminthics. It is common in children, but rare in babies.

The association between antiretroviral therapy and selected cardiovascular disease risk factors in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: With increasing adverse cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes in HIV/AIDS patients, the possible contribution of antiretroviral therapy (ART) to the prevailing CVD epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) through its effect on CVD risk factors has rather been under investigated. This study aimed to assess the extent to which ART is associated with hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM) and dyslipidemia in SSA.

Methods: This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies from SSA, published between January 1946 and December 2017, from Medline, Embase, Africa-wide Information, the Cochrane library, African Index and Medicus databases.

Prevalence and determinants of selected cardio-metabolic risk factors among people living with HIV/AIDS and receiving care in the South West Regional Hospitals of Cameroon: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: Metabolic disorders and cardiovascular risk factors are not routinely assessed in the care of HIV patients in developing countries, known to have the highest disease burden. We described the prevalence and factors associated with major cardio-metabolic risk factors (obesity, diabetes and hypertension) in HIV/AIDS patients.

Results: The prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and obesity were 11.

Association between CD4 Cell Count and Blood Pressure and Its Variation with Body Mass Index Categories in HIV-Infected Patients.

The aim of this study was to establish whether an independent relationship exists between CD4 count and hypertension and if this relationship is modified or confounded by the body mass index (BMI). . A secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional study on 200 HIV/AIDS patients at a referral hospital in Cameroon was conducted.

Markers of adiposity in HIV/AIDS patients: Agreement between waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio and body mass index.

Background: Waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) are all independent predictors of cardio-metabolic risk and therefore important in HIV/AIDS patients on antiretroviral therapy at risk of increased visceral adiposity. This study aimed to assess the extent of agreement between these parameters and the body mass index (BMI), as anthropometric parameters and in classifying cardio-metabolic risk in HIV/AIDS patients.

Methods: A secondary analysis of data from a cross-sectional study involving 200 HIV/AIDS patients was done.

Bowel Resection and Ileotransverse Anastomosis as Preferred Therapy for 15 Typhoid Ileal Perforations and Severe Peritoneal Contamination in a Very Elderly Patient.

Typhoid ileal perforation (TIP) is the most lethal complication of typhoid fever. Although TIP is a surgical emergency by consensus, there is still much controversy regarding the most appropriate surgical approach to be used. Bowel exteriorization and secondary closure are usually recommended for patients presenting late with multiple TIPs and heavy peritoneal soiling.

Evolutionary aspects of non-metastatic breast cancer after primary treatment in a sub-Saharan African setting: a 16-year retrospective review at the Douala general hospital, Cameroon.

Background: Breast cancer has a high case fatality rate in sub-Saharan Africa, and this is chiefly because of late detection and inadequate treatment resources. Progressive renovations in diagnostic and management modalities of non-metastatic breast cancer (NMBC) have been noted in the region but there is paucity of data describing the clinical progress of patients with NMBC. This study sought to determine the rates of local relapse, distant metastasis and sequelae and the time span from initial treatment to the occurrence of these adverse events among patients with NMBC.

Spina bifida cystica and severe congenital bilateral talipes equinovarus in one twin of a monoamniotic pair: a case report.

Background: Spina bifida and congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) are common congenital malformations which may occur together and increase morbidity. Monozygous twins are particularly at risk of these malformations and discordance in one type of malformation is typical. The occurrence of both spina bifida and CTEV in one twin of a monozygotic pair is rare.

Validation of the Friedewald formula for the estimation of low density lipoprotein cholesterol in a sub-Saharan African population.

Background: Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels are used to estimate cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and to guide prescriptions. To circumvent the challenges of direct LDL-C measurement, guidelines recommend the use of Friedewald formula derived LDL-C levels. Despite reported limitations of this formula, its validity in sub-Saharan Africans has not been adequately investigated.

Motives for change of first-line antiretroviral therapy regimens in an unselected cohort of HIV/AIDS patients at a major referral centre in South-west Cameroon.

Objective: The rapid scale-up of antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage in sub-Saharan Africa has encountered the challenge of maintaining international clinical standards of ART utilization and change of ART regimens. In Cameroon, scarce reports have documented the motives for change of ART. This study had as objective to investigate the reasons for switch in ART through a secondary analysis and descriptive synthesis of data from a cross-sectional study at the Limbe Regional Hospital.