Chronic HIV infection and health related quality of life in resource poor settings-an assessment from South East Nigeria.

Background: Health-related quality of life reflects a patient's general subjective perception of the effect of an illness or intervention on physical, psychological and social aspects of daily life. HIV infection is a major public health problem especially in developing countries where poor health infrastructure and poverty are prevalent. This paper addresses the quality of life in patients with chronic HIV infection in South East Nigeria and addresses issues that may help improve the current situation.

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.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of epilepsy among community residents in Enugu, South East Nigeria.

Purpose: The understanding of the opinions of the Nigerian public about epilepsy and its treatment is relevant to the reduction of the large treatment gap that exists in management of the condition. The major aim of this study was to determine the knowledge and attitudes of urban dwellers to epilepsy and its treatment and to identify the gaps in knowledge that could pose as barriers in the treatment and care of epilepsy patients within the community.

Method: This cross-sectional and descriptive study was carried out in one of the districts of Enugu metropolis, Nigeria.

Seizure disorder among chronic kidney disease patients in Enugu, South East Nigeria.

Background: Seizures are the commonest neurological condition presenting in Africa. The pattern of non- epileptic seizures in systemic diseases including chronic kidney disease is unknown in South East Nigeria.

Objectives: This study examined the pattern of seizures in chronic kidney disease patients in Enugu, South East Nigeria.

The prevalence of orthostatic hypotension in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in a diabetic clinic in Enugu South-East Nigeria.

Background: Orthostatic Hypotension is a serious and common complication of diabetes mellitus.

Aims: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of Orthostatic Hypotension in type 2 diabetic patients in a diabetes mellitus clinic in Enugu South-East Nigeria.

Method And Materials: A structured questionnaire was administered to the eligible and consenting seventy type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Knowledge, attitude and practice towards epilepsy among secondary school students in Enugu, southeast Nigeria.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge and attitude of secondary school students to epilepsy and its treatment that could pose as barriers in the treatment and care of epilepsy patients within the community.

Methods: This study was cross-sectional and descriptive in design using a self administered custom designed multiple choice questionnaire with sections on general information on epilepsy, awareness and perception of epilepsy, treatment of epilepsy/seizures and attitude towards people living with epilepsy.

Results: Out of 969 questionnaires analyzed, the majority of the students (87.

Assessment of mild cognitive impairment with mini mental state examination among adults in southeast Nigeria.

Background: Mild cognitive impairment is a recently described neuropsychiatric entity with the possibility of evolving into overt dementia. It has been found to respond to therapeutic intervention, thus halting or significantly retarding the progression to dementia. Resource-poor countries like Nigeria can hardly afford to provide optimal care for dementia patients.

Ischemic stroke and neuroprotection.

Stroke is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in both developed and developing countries of the world. Greater understanding of the pathophysiology of neuronal damage in ischemic stroke has generated interest in neuroprotection as a management strategy. This paper aims to review the current concept and place of neuroprotection in ischemic stroke.

Neurological disease burden in two semi-urban communities in South East Nigeria.

Background: Neurological disorders are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Urban hospital-based studies give some perspectives on the burden of neurological disease but there are no community-based studies from South East Nigeria.

Aim: This study sought to screen for the scope and pattern of neurological dysfunction affecting inhabitants of two semi-urban communities in Enugu, South East Nigeria.

Depression in patients with epilepsy: a study from enugu, South East Nigeria.

Background: Depression is a common psychiatric disorder in epilepsy patients. A bidirectional interaction is thought to be present between epilepsy and depression. There are few studies of this relationship in Nigerian Africans.

Profile of neurological admissions at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu.

Background: The burden of Neurological diseases may be on the increase especially in developing countries. Improved outcome in these settings may require appreciation of the spectrum of Neurological diseases and the impediments to their management. We aim to determine the profile of neurological admissions and the challenges of managing these diseases at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu South East Nigeria.

Respiratory symptoms and ventilatory function tests in Nigerians with HIV infection.

Background: The impact of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on the respiratory system of Africans has been little studied. This study aimed to determine the pattern of respiratory symptoms and ventilatory functions in HIV infected Nigerians.

Methods: In this cross sectional study, Respiratory symptoms frequency, Forced vital capacity (FVC), Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)), FEV(1)/FVC ratio, Forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of FVC, were determined in 100 HIV positive subjects and compared with values in 100 HIV negative controls.

Multiple sclerosis in a nigerian alcoholic male: a case report from enugu, South East Nigeria.

Background: Multiple sclerosis is a rare neurological disorder in black Africans. In Nigeria it had been difficult to confirm suspected cases due to the paucity of diagnostic facilities. The availability of magnetic resonance imaging has enabled an increased confidence in making the diagnosis.

Prevalence and distribution of neurological disease in a neurology clinic in enugu, Nigeria.

Background: Specialization in various areas of medicine is established in most tertiary hospitals in Nigeria. There is thus an increasing awareness by the populace on need for specialist medical care. However, neurologists are few and unevenly spread in the country.

Critical care of myasthenia gravis in a resource poor setting: a study of South East Nigeria.

Background: Myasthenia gravis presenting as a neurologic emergency warrants management in a critical care unit. In resource poor settings which typify much of Africa, this can be very challenging even in tertiary centers with consequently unfavorable outcomes.

Aim: This study evaluated the outcomes of intensive care management of patients with myasthenia gravis in a regional teaching hospital in South East Nigeria.

Management of pituitary adenoma with mass effect in pregnancy: a case report.

A middle aged primigravida was managed at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria for a pituitary macroadenoma. She was admitted at 33 weeks gestational age following a history of blurred vision and generalized headache, worse on bending down. After neurological consultation and investigations, a diagnosis of pituitary macroadenoma with mass effect was entertained.

Management of pituitary adenoma with mass effect in pregnancy: a case report.

A middle aged primigravida was managed at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria for a pituitary macroadenoma. She was admitted at 33 weeks gestational age following a history of blurred vision and generalized headache, worse on bending down. After neurological consultation and investigations, a diagnosis of pituitary macroadenoma with mass effect was entertained.

Pattern and presentation of epilepsy in Nigerian Africans: a study of trends in the southeast.

One-quarter of the 40 million individuals estimated to have epilepsy in the developing world live in Africa. Data on epilepsy in Nigeria are scanty. The disease is associated with significant socioeconomic effects.

Experience with tetanus in a tertiary hospital in south east Nigeria.

Background: Tetanus has for long been an avoidable source of morbidity and mortality particularly in developing countries. The aim of this study was to review the experience with managing tetanus in a regional tertiary hospital in Nigeria.

Methods: A retrospective study of patients who were admitted with a clinical diagnosis of tetanus between January 1999 and December 2003 was done.