Availability, cost and affordability of essential cardiovascular disease medicines in the south west region of Cameroon: Preliminary findings from the Cameroon science for disease study.

Background: More than 80% of premature deaths due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) occur in low- and middle-income countries. However, access to, and affordability of medications remain a challenge in these countries.

Objective: To assess the availability, cost and affordability of essential cardiovascular medicines in the South West region of Cameroon.

Prevalence and determinants of abnormal glucose metabolism in urban and rural secondary schools in Cameroon: A cross-sectional study in a sub-Saharan Africa setting.

Introduction: The incidence of Diabetes in children and teenagers increased by 30.2% between 2001 and 2009, with the main cause being an increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity. Despite its high morbidity and mortality, few studies in Cameroon have focused on the study of abnormal glucose metabolism in schools.

Late mortality after cardiac interventions over 10-year period in two Cameroonian government-owned hospitals.

Background: Cardiac surgery is a growing activity in Sub-Saharan Africa, however, data related to long-term mortality are scarce. We aimed to analyze outcome data of cardiac interventions in two hospitals in Cameroon over 10 years' period.

Methods: we conducted a retrospective analytical and descriptive study at the Douala General Hospital and Yaoundé General Hospital.

Prevalence and risk factors of peripheral artery disease in black Africans with HIV infection: a cross-sectional hospital-based study.

Background: The prevalence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) is not well known among HIV-infected patients in Africa. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of PAD among HIV-infected patients at the Douala General Hospital (DGH).

Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive and analytic study between November 2015 and April 2016.

Effects of phloroglucinol on the active phase of labour (EPAL trial): a single blinded randomised controlled trial in a tertiary hospital in sub-Sahara Africa.

Introduction: One of the most recognized factors of maternal and neonatal outcome pertaining to the peripartum period is the duration of labour. Finding a drug that will decrease the duration of labour with no effects on mother and foetus will be welcomed. Thereby in this study we aimed to evaluate the effects of phloroglucinol on the duration of the active phase of labour.

Late presentation to HIV/AIDS care at the Douala general hospital, Cameroon: its associated factors, and consequences.

Background: The introduction of anti-retroviral treatment (ART) has significantly reduced mortality and morbidity associated with HIV/AIDS. While treatment at early stages of the disease is related to a better prognosis, late presentation (LP) to care is harmful to the infected person, the society and is more costly. We aimed to describe late presentation to HIV care, its associated factors and consequences in patients followed up in a tertiary hospital in Cameroon.

Multiple cerebral infarction revealing Takayasu's disease: a case report in a 32-year-old man from Cameroon, sub-Saharan Africa.

This case suggests that young patients with few vascular risk factors, and who present with acute stroke syndrome involving more than one vascular territory should be screened for an inflammatory or infectious cause.

Prevalence and risk factors of chronic kidney disease in newly diagnosed and untreated hypertensive patients in cameroon: A cross-sectional study.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has emerged as a worldwide problem and is a major cause for comorbidity in hypertensive patients. In an attempt to enhance awareness and to help in establishing preventive measures and care, it is necessary to describe CKD among newly diagnosed and untreated hypertensive patients. We conducted a cross-sectional study to describe the characteristics of CKD among newly diagnosed, treatment naïve, hypertensive patients in four health-care centers in the city of Douala, Cameroon.

Clinical, echocardiographic, and therapeutic aspects of congenital heart diseases of children at Douala General Hospital: A cross-sectional study in sub-Saharan Africa.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases in pediatric pathologies have emerged in the recent years in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with congenital heart diseases (CHDs) being the most frequent. Unfortunately, their diagnosis is usually delayed, thereby increasing childhood morbidity and mortality.

Objectives: Describe the clinical, echocardiographic, and therapeutic aspects of CHDs of children at Douala General Hospital.

Malnutrition in patients admitted to the medical wards of the Douala General Hospital: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Malnutrition is common in acutely ill patients occurring in 30-50% of hospitalized patients. Awareness and screening for malnutrition is lacking in most health institutions in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed at screening for malnutrition using anthropometric and laboratory indices in patients admitted to the internal medicine wards.

Glucose homeostasis abnormalities among Cameroon patients with newly diagnosed hypertension.

The authors assessed the frequency of glucose homeostasis abnormalities among 839 Cameroonians with newly diagnosed hypertension (mean age: 50.8±11 years; 49.9% female) in a cross-sectional survey conducted at the Douala General Hospital, Douala, Cameroon.

Outcome of permanent vascular access for haemodialysis in patients with end-stage renal disease in Cameroon: results from the pilot experience of the Douala general hospital.

Background Chronic Kidney disease is a major health problem in the world. Native arteriovenous Fistula (AVF) is well established as the best vascular access for haemodialysis. Little is known about the outcome of AVF in sub-Saharan Africa.

Prevalence and factors associated with hyperuricaemia in newly diagnosed and untreated hypertensives in a sub-Saharan African setting.

Background: Few studies have evaluated the link between hyperuricaemia and cardiovascular disease in sub-Saharan Africa.

Aims: To assess the prevalence of and factors associated with hyperuricaemia among newly diagnosed treatment-naïve hypertensive patients in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: We performed a community-based cross-sectional study from January to December 2012 in Douala, Cameroon (Central Africa).

Hyperuricaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes in a tertiary healthcare centre in sub-Saharan Africa: prevalence and determinants.

Hyperuricaemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been less well investigated in sub-Saharan Africans. Our study of 438 patients found that alcohol intake, body mass index ≥25 kg/m, hydrochlorothiazide use, statin use, diabetic retinopathy and glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73m were independently positively associated with hyperuricaemia; whereas smoking reduced this risk.

The way forward for clinical research in Cameroon: first scientific and research day in Douala, 2014.

There is a huge need for health research to support contextually relevant health service and policy solutions to better the health of populations in sub-Saharan Africa. This need contrasts with the very timid engagement of healthcare practitioners in research in the region.It is against this background that the Douala General Hospital (a tertiary-care hospital in Cameroon), under the stewardship of its chief executive officer, organised the first annual scientific and research day in October 2014.

Tuberculous meningitis: presentation, diagnosis and outcome in hiv-infected patients at the douala general hospital, cameroon: a cross sectional study.

Introduction: Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) the most fatal presentation of tuberculosis (TB) especially in HIV-infected patients is a real diagnostic and therapeutic challenge worldwide. In Cameroon where HIV and TB are amongst the leading public health problems, the magnitude of TBM has not been defined. Therefore, the objective of this cross sectional study was to describe the presentation and in-hospital outcome of TBM among HIV patients in Douala as well as its diagnostic difficulties.

Toxoplasma encephalitis in HIV/AIDS patients admitted to the Douala general hospital between 2004 and 2009: a cross sectional study.

Background: It is estimated that about a third of the world's population is chronically infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasma encephalitis (TE), which occurs as a reactivation of quiescent chronic infection, is one of the leading causes of central nervous system (CNS) infection in AIDS. Its diagnosis in most centres still remains difficult.

HIV-Associated Central Nervous System Disease in Patients Admitted at the Douala General Hospital between 2004 and 2009: A Retrospective Study.

Background. Studies on HIV-associated central nervous system (CNS) diseases in Cameroon are rare. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical presentation, identify aetiological factors, and determine predictors of mortality in HIV patients with CNS disease.

HIV-associated sensory neuropathy in HIV-1 infected patients at the Douala General Hospital in Cameroon: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Peripheral neuropathy (PN) which is the most common neurological complication of HIV infection is under recognised and undertreated especially in resource limited settings. This ailment which has a negative impact on the quality of life of HIV/AIDS patients exists in different clinical patterns of which HIV-associated Sensory neuropathy (HIV-SN) is the most common affecting up to two thirds of patients with advanced disease in some settings. In Cameroon where HIV is a major public health problem, the burden of HIV-SN has not yet been well defined.

Adverse drug reactions of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) in HIV infected patients at the General Hospital, Douala, Cameroon: a cross sectional study.

Background: The use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) as the main option for management of people living with Human Immune deficiency virus (HIV) is associated with decrease morbidity and mortality. This is due to its effectiveness in inhibiting viral replication. However this effectiveness is not without adverse drug effects which in many settings are not monitored.

Comparison of different blood pressure indices for the prediction of prevalent diabetic nephropathy in a sub-Saharan African population with type 2 diabetes.

Background: The association between blood pressure (BP) and diabetic kidney diseases in Africans has been less well investigated. We assessed and compared the strength of the association and discriminatory capability of systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP) BP, pulse pressure (PP) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) for nephropathy risk in sub-Saharan Africans with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Participants were 420 consecutive individuals (49% men) with type 2 diabetes receiving chronic care in two main referral centres in the two major cities of Cameroon.

The antiphospholipid antibody syndrome: a case report.

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome is defined by the presence of thromboembolic complications and/or pregnancy morbidity in the presence of persistently increased titers of antiphospholipid antibodies. Its clinical presentation can be diverse and any organ can be involved, with a current impact in most surgical and medical specialties. The authors present the case of a 43-year-old man who, over a 13-year period of follow-up, presented with thrombosis of the mesenteric vein, inferior vena cava, and axillary and subclavian veins in a setting where diagnostic and therapeutic options are limited and costly.