Diabetic retinopathy in Nigerians: relation to duration of diabetes, type of treatment and degree of control.

The results of a prospective study of the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy among Nigerian diabetics attending a Nigerian Teaching Hospital over a one and a half-year period are presented. Diabetics with mature cataracts whose fundi could not be visualised were excluded from the study. 15.

Erythrocyte and plasma magnesium status in Nigerians with diabetes mellitus.

Erythrocyte and fasting plasma magnesium were assayed by a dyebinding colorimetric method using the metallochromic dye, Calmagite, in 51 diabetic Nigerians and 25 controls. Erythrocyte magnesium concentrations were similar in the diabetics and the controls. Fasting plasma magnesium concentrations were significantly lower only in insulin-treated diabetics as compared to controls.

Fasting plasma magnesium concentration and its relation to control in diabetic Nigerians.

A study of the patterns of fasting plasma magnesium concentration in 92 Nigerians diabetics (comprising 68 non insulin dependent and 24 insulin dependent) and 30 healthy controls was undertaken. In all diabetics taken as a whole and in insulin dependent and non-insulin dependent diabetics considered separately, plasma magnesium concentrations were lower compared to healthy controls but these differences were not statistically significant. There were no significant differences in magnesium levels between male and female diabetics.

Plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone concentrations in normotensive pregnant Nigerians.

Plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma aldosterone concentrations were determined in thirty-four normotensive pregnant subjects, sixteen subjects who were examined 6 weeks post-partum and sixteen non-pregnant controls. Plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone concentrations increased sequentially in pregnancy i.e.

Plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone concentrations in untreated Nigerians with essential hypertension.

On the basis of existing information we set out to test an hypothesis that 'the blood volume and more specifically total body sodium and sodium disposition in the body play a more important role in blood-pressure regulation and the pathophysiology of hypertension than other regulatory mechanisms in the indigenous African'. To achieve our objective, ninety-eight newly diagnosed unmedicated hypertensives with adequate renal function were admitted to the study. Fifty-one (52%) of the subjects were males while forty-seven (48%) were females.

HbA1C measured by a colorimetric method in normal and diabetic Nigerian subjects.

Glycosylation of haemoglobin was evaluated in 30 normal adult Nigerians and 60 diabetic adult Nigerians who were at various stages of blood glucose control, by measuring ketoamine-linked hexoses in haemoglobin. These hexoses were converted by digestion with 1 M oxalic acid for 4.5 h at 100 degrees C to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, which was measured by reaction with 2 thiobarbituric acid.

[Occupational health as a priority].

The development of occupational health services in the Republic of South Africa has been limited by three factors. Firstly, occupational safety completely overshadowed occupational health. Secondly, about 8 state departments were active in its administration.