An Unusual Case of Acute Abdomen With Jaundice.

Adrenocortical carcinomas are rare but aggressive tumors that are frequently discovered as incidentalomas. Secretory tumors often lead to endocrine abnormalities, namely cushingoid features, virilization, or feminization. Non-functioning tumors, on the other hand, can be completely dormant with an insidious course or cause malaise, weight loss, abdominal pain, etc.

G1 and G2 variants of apolipoprotein L1 among Central African population in Trypanosoma brucei gambiense endemic rural area.

Introduction: Apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) risk variants (G1, G2) are known to enhance the protective ability against human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), in addition to their role in kidney and cardiovascular disease. The effects of these variants on trypanosome infection could differ regionally owing to local adaptations of the host and pathogen. This study explored APOL1 risk variants distribution in HAT-infected and non-infected populations from a rural Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (T.

Masked uncontrolled hypertension among elderly black sub-saharan africans compared to younger adults: a cross-sectional in-hospital study.

Background: Although aging and being of African descent are well-known risk factors for masked uncontrolled hypertension (MUCH), data on MUCH among elderly black sub-Saharan Africans (BSSA) are limited. Furthermore, it is unclear whether the determinants of MUCH in younger individuals differ from those in the elderly.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with MUCH in both elderly and younger BSSA individuals.

May Measurement Month 2021: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from a suburban community in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Hypertension remains the most powerful contributor to the global morbidity and mortality. May Measurement Month (MMM), a worldwide screening campaign initiated by the International Society of Hypertension (ISH), is organized annually to increase awareness of high blood pressure (BP). We screened 20 913 adult (≥18 years) residents of suburb hamlets of Mbujimayi (mean age 35.

Correlations of Serum Lipid Parameters and Atherogenic Indices With Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction Among Apparently Healthy Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Multicenter In-Hospital Cross-Sectional Study.

In adolescents with Type 1 diabetes, lipid ratios are predictors of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD). However, whether this also applies to adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is unclear. This study is aimed at assessing the correlations of serum lipid parameters and atherogenic indices with LVDD in patients with T2DM.

Stroke signs knowledge and factors associated with a delayed hospital arrival of patients with acute stroke in Kinshasa.

Background: Rapid recognition and early medical intervention are essential to reduce stroke-related mortality and long-term disability. This study aimed to evaluate awareness of stroke symptoms/signs and determine factors delaying the hospital arrival of patients with acute stroke in Kinshasa.

Methods: Patients with stroke and/or accompanying family members were interviewed using a standard questionnaire, and their medical records were reviewed.

Knowledge and practice of the physical activity prescription by generalists and specialist physicians of the city of Kinshasa: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The health benefits of regular physical activity (PA) are well documented. However, several people in both developed and developing countries do not meet PA recommendations. Health professionals are believed to be potential PA promoters.

Factors associated with complications in ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a single-center experience.

Background: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a major public health problem. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and identify the determinants of STEMI-related complications in the Cardiology Intensive Care Unit of the Sud Francilien Hospital Center (SFHC).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 315 patients with STEMI aged ≥ 18 years.

Effect of insulin resistance on left ventricular remodelling in essential hypertensives: a cross-sectional study.

Background: In clinical practice, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is defined by physical findings and electrocardiographic criteria, which are useful but imperfect tools, echocardiographic criteria and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. In echocardiography, LVH is defined not by left ventricular wall thicknesses but by left ventricular mass. The latter is calculated according to Devereux's formula, and is increased by insulin resistance/hyperinsulinaemia.

The Spectrum of Thyroid Nodules at Kinshasa University Hospital, Democratic Republic of Congo: A Cross-Sectional Study.

We analyzed the spectrum of thyroid nodules in patients attending the endocrinology unit care of the Kinshasa University Hospital and assessed their associated factors. We conducted a cross-sectional study, performing descriptive statistics and logistic regression. From the 888 enrolled patients, thyroid nodules were detected in 658 patients (74.

Ultrasound performance using the EU-TIRADS score in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer in Congolese hospitals.

The thyroid imaging reporting and data systems by the European Thyroid Association (EU-TIRADS) has been widely used in malignancy risk stratification of thyroid nodules. However, there is a paucity of data in developing countries, especially in Africa, to validate the use of this scoring system. The aim of the study was to assess the diagnostic value of the EU-TIRADS score in Congolese hospitals, using pathological examination after surgery as the gold standard in Congolese hospitals.

Prevalence and incidence of arterial hypertension and its risk factors in the 7,525 person-years Congolese adult population between 2012 and 2019 : results of the Bukavu observational study.

Background: In the Sub-Saharan African region, data on Arterial Hypertension (AHT) from longitudinal studies are scattered.This work analyzes the prevalence and incidence of AHT and its associated factors in an open cohort of Congolese adults in South Kivu.

Methods: Between 2012 and 2019, 2,633 subjects aged ≥ 15 years were monitored for at least 3 years.

Insulin resistance-related differences in the relationship between left ventricular hypertrophy and cardiorespiratory fitness in hypertensive Black sub-Saharan Africans.

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is associated with impaired cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), a surrogate marker of poor outcome. Insulin resistance (IR) plays a central role in all stages of cardiovascular disease continuum. This study evaluates IR-related differences in the relationship between left ventricular mass (LVM) and CRF in asymptomatic newly diagnosed hypertensive Black sub-Saharan Africans.

May Measurement Month 2019: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Hypertension, the foremost cause of global morbi-mortality, is linked with a high mortality from numerous cardiovascular endpoints. The May Measurement Month (MMM) campaign is an annual initiative of the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) to collect information on blood pressure (BP) and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adults. MMM2019 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was an opportunistic cross-sectional survey of volunteers aged ≥18 years that took place in Kinshasa and Mbuji-Mayi after the training of observers to familiarize with the ISH methods.

Association between insulin resistance and left ventricular hypertrophy in asymptomatic, Black, sub-Saharan African, hypertensive patients: a case-control study.

Background: Conflicting information exists regarding the association between insulin resistance (IR) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). We described the associations between obesity, fasting insulinemia, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and LVH in Black patients with essential hypertension.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted at the Centre Médical de Kinshasa (CMK), the Democratic Republic of the Congo, between January and December 2019.

Analysis of blood pressure and selected cardiovascular risk factors in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: the May Measurement Month 2018 results.

Hypertension (HT) is the largest contributor to cardiovascular disease mortality and is characterized by high prevalence and low awareness, treatment, and control rates in sub-Saharan Africa. May Measurement Month (MMM) is an international campaign intended to increase awareness of high blood pressure (BP) among the population and advocate for its importance to the health authorities. This study aimed to increase awareness of raised BP in a country where its nationwide prevalence is yet unestablished.

Prevalence and determinants of blood pressure variability in pygmies of Southern region Cameroon.

Introduction: The impact of urbanization and living conditions on the prevalence of hypertension in the Cameroonian population is poorly known.

Aim: To evaluate the prevalence and determinants of blood pressure (BP) in adult Pygmies and Bantus living in urban and rural areas of Southern Cameroon.

Participants And Methods: This was a cross-sectional comparative study of 406 adults (96 urban Bantus, 100 urban Pygmies, 111 rural Bantus and 99 tropical rainforest Pygmies with a traditional Pygmies way of life), recruited in Southern Cameroon (mean age 42 ± 17 years; 56.

The trend in blood pressure and hypertension prevalence in the general population of South Kivu between 2012 and 2016: Results from two representative cross-sectional surveys-The Bukavu observational study.

Objective: Data on blood pressure trends are scarce or unavailable in Sub-Saharan Africa in general and especially in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This work addresses this gap by analyzing the dynamics in the prevalence and control of hypertension in a cohort of Congolese adults in South Kivu.

Methods: Two phases of data collection were conducted including a baseline at the beginning in 2012 and a follow up in 2016.

Diagnostic performance of several biomarkers for identification of cases of non-communicable diseases among Central Africans.

Background: This study determined the diagnostic performance of new biomarkers for a composite diagnosis of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among Central Africans.

Methods: This case-control study was conducted at LOMO Medical Centre, Kinshasa, DR Congo (DRC) between January - December, 2008. The cases comprised 226 participants with concurrent presence of at least 2 or more of NCDs.

Bioelectrical impedance outperforms waist circumference for predicting cardiometabolic risk in Congolese hypertensive subjects: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Waist circumference threshold values used in sub-Saharan Africa correspond to those of European populations and are therefore inappropriate. Thus, they may over predict insulin resistance, especially in hypertensive Africans, in whom there is often no association between blood pressure and insulin resistance. Using bioelectrical impedance measurement in sub-Saharan Africa could possibly be advantageous to overcome the shortcomings of waist circumference measurement.

Heart rate variability on antihypertensive drugs in black patients living in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Compared with Caucasians, African Americans have lower heart rate variability (HRV) in the high-frequency domain, but there are no studies in blacks born and living in Africa.

Methods: In the Newer versus Older Antihypertensive agents in African Hypertensive patients trial (NCT01030458), patients (30-69 years) with uncomplicated hypertension (140-179/90-109 mmHg) were randomized to single-pill combinations of bisoprolol/hydrochlorothiazide (R) or amlodipine/valsartan (E). 72 R and 84 E patients underwent 5-min ECG recordings at randomization and 8, 16 and 24 weeks.

Ferroportin Q248H mutation, hyperferritinemia and atypical type 2 diabetes mellitus in South Kivu.

Background: The ferroportin Q248H mutation is relatively common in sub-Saharan Africa. No previous study examined its relationship with atypical diabetes mellitus (DM) in this area.

Objective: To determine the potential interactions between ferroportin Q248H mutation, hyperferritinemia and DM in South Kivu (RDC).

Progress report on the first sub-Saharan Africa trial of newer versus older antihypertensive drugs in native black patients.

Background: The epidemic surge in hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa is not matched by clinical trials of antihypertensive agents in Black patients recruited in this area of the world. We mounted the Newer versus Older Antihypertensive agents in African Hypertensive patients (NOAAH) trial to compare, in native African patients, a single-pill combination of newer drugs, not involving a diuretic, with a combination of older drugs including a diuretic.

Methods: Patients aged 30 to 69 years with uncomplicated hypertension (140 to 179/90 to 109 mmHg) and ≤2 associated risk factors are eligible.

Rationale and design of the Newer Versus Older Antihypertensive Agents in African Hypertensive Patients (NOAAH) trial.

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa experiences an epidemic surge in hypertension. Studies in African Americans led to the recommendation to initiate antihypertensive treatment in Blacks with a diuretic or a low-dose fixed combination including a diuretic. We mounted the Newer versus Older Antihypertensive Agents in African Hypertensive Patients (NOAAH) trial to compare in native African patients a fixed combination of newer drugs, not involving a diuretic, with a combination of older drugs including a diuretic.

[Hypertension in the adult Congolese population of Southern Kivu: Results of the Vitaraa Study].

Objective: To assess the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in adult urban and rural Congolese subjects.

Methods: We obtained anthropometric data and information on life habits and medical history in 699 people ≥ 20 years, 444 in an urban, 255 in a rural setting. We determined the body mass index and recorded two blood pressure measurements that were averaged for analysis.