Advancing genetic testing for neurological disorders in Tanzania: importance, challenges, and strategies for implementation.

This manuscript discusses the critical need for advancing genetic testing capabilities for neurological disorders (NDs) in Tanzania, emphasizing the importance, challenges, and strategies for implementation. Neurological disorders, often caused by a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors, disproportionately affect low and middle-income countries like Tanzania. Patients with neurogenetic diagnoses in Tanzania face substantial obstacles, including lack of trust in medical professionals, stigmatization, and limited access to proper care.

Stroke characteristics and outcomes in urban Tanzania: Data from the Prospective Lake Zone Stroke Registry.

Background: Stroke is a second leading cause of death globally, with an estimated one in four adults suffering a stroke in their lifetime. We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics, quality of care, and outcomes in adults with stroke in urban Northwestern Tanzania.

Methods: We analyzed de-identified data from a prospective stroke registry from Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, the second largest city in Tanzania, between March 2020 and October 2022.

Ischemic Stroke at a Tertiary Academic Hospital in Tanzania: A Prospective Cohort Study With a Focus on Presumed Large Vessel Occlusion.

Background: Large vessel ischemic strokes account for more than one-third of all strokes associated with substantial morbidity and mortality without early intervention. The incidence of large vessel occlusion (LVO) is not known in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Definitive vessel imaging is not routinely available in resource-limited settings.

Prevalence and risk factors of acute kidney injury in polytrauma patients at Muhimbili Orthopedic Institute, Tanzania.

Background: Polytrauma can lead to multi-organ dysfunction in addition to the local injuries. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most common causes and contributors to the high morbidity and mortality. Prevalence of acute kidney injury in trauma patients is as reported to be as high as 40.

Lung functions among patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in Dar es Salaam - a cross-sectional study.

Background: Approximately 40-60 % of patients remain sufferers of sequela of obstructive, restrictive or mixed patterns of lung disease despite treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). The prevalence of these abnormalities in Tanzania remains unknown.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 501 patients with PTB who had completed at least 20 weeks of treatment.

Gastric Schwannoma: Case report from Tanzania and brief review of literature.

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. We report a rare case of hematemesis secondary to a gastric schwannoma in a Tanzanian female. Gastric schwannomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of gastric masses and distinguished from other etiologies, given their excellent postresection prognosis.

Latent tuberculosis among pregnant mothers in a resource poor setting in Northern Tanzania: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Untreated latent TB infection (LTBI) is a significant risk factor for active pulmonary tuberculosis, hence predisposing to adverse pregnancy outcomes and mother to child transmission. The prevalence of latent tuberculosis in pregnancy and its association, if any, with various socio-demographic, obstetric and clinical characteristics was evaluated.

Methods: Northern Tanzania was chosen as the study site.

A modern regimen of pre-operative concurrent chemo-radiation therapy in locally advanced rectal cancer.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of preoperative concurrent capecitabine and radiotherapy in the treatment of resectable locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC).

Materials And Methods: We conducted a phase II trial to assess pathological complete response, tumor downstaging, toxicity and survival of capecitabine (825 mg/m(2) orally, twice daily) with radiotherapy (50.4 Gy/28 fractions) in 31 patients with LARC (cT3/T4 or N+) staged by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS).

Locoregional radiation therapy in patients with high-risk breast cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy: 20-year results of the British Columbia randomized trial.

Background: The British Columbia randomized radiation trial was designed to determine the survival impact of locoregional radiation therapy in premenopausal patients with lymph node-positive breast cancer treated by modified radical mastectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy. Three hundred eighteen patients were assigned to receive no further therapy or radiation therapy (37.5 Gy in 16 fractions).