Comparative Study of Extrapyramidal Side Effects, Sexual Dysfunctions and Hyperprolactinaemia Using Typical and Atypical Antipsychotic Medications Among Patients with Schizophrenia in Maiduguri.

Background: Extra-pyramidal side effects, sexual dysfunctions and hyperprolactinaemia are major side effects with the use of antipsychotic medications that impede treatment adherence leading to relapse, increased cost of care and rehospitalization among patients with schizophrenia on antipsychotic medications. The study aims to compare the prevalence of extra-pyramidal side effects (EPSE), sexual dysfunctions (SD) and hyperprolactinaemia (HPRL) among patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders on typical and atypical antipsychotic medications. The secondary aim is to determine if any associations exist between extra-pyramidal side effects, sexual dysfunctions and hyperprolactinaemia.

Antipsychotics-related hyperprolactinaemia among patients with schizophrenia in Maiduguri.

Background: Hyperprolactinaemia among patients on antipsychotic medications is generally overlooked due to lack of outwardly visible symptoms, patient resistance to reporting because the symptoms are perceived as shameful, or to clinician's insufficient knowledge.

Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the patterns and correlates of hyperprolactinemia among patients with schizophrenia on antipsychotic medications.

Setting: The study was conducted in a psychiatric facility in Maiduguri, Northeastern Nigeria.

Prevalence and predictors of sub-optimal medication adherence among patients with severe mental illnesses in a tertiary psychiatric facility in Maiduguri, North-eastern Nigeria.

Introduction: Sub-optimal adherence constitutes a significant impediment to the management of severe mental illnesses (SMIs) as it negatively impacts on the course of the illness and the treatment outcome. In this study, the levels of adherence, prevalence and the predictors of sub-optimal adherence were assessed in a sub-Saharan African setting.

Methods: Three hundred and seventy (370) respondents with diagnoses of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or severe depression were randomly enrolled and interviewed at the out-patient department of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Maiduguri in northeastern Nigeria.

Prevalence, Correlates and Under-Diagnosis of Clinical Depression among Adults on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in a Tertiary Health Institution in Northeastern Nigeria.

Clinical depression is a highly debilitating illness, which is often under-diagnosed and negatively impacts on the quality of life of its sufferers. When it co-exists with other medical conditions, its effect is even more incapacitating. Undiagnosed depression in the context of HIV infection leads to accelerated decline in CD4+ cell counts with concomitant increase in the viral load and poor adherence to the antiretroviral medications which lead to viral mutation and the evolution of resistant strains.

Unrecognized psychiatric disorders among adult patients admitted into a general hospital in Maiduguri, Northeastern Nigeria.

Introduction: Patients with unrecognized psychiatric disorders in general hospitals, suffer economic and psycho-social difficulties. This study aimed to determine (i) prevalence and pattern of psychiatric disorders, and (ii) prevalence of unrecognized psychiatric disorders among adult in-patients of a general hospital.

Methods: In this two-stage, cross-sectional study, we used (i) General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) to assess the prevalence of psychiatric disorders, and (ii) Patient Encounter Form to determine unrecognized psychiatric disorders, among patients admitted into a general hospital.

Cognitive function in HIV-seropositive Nigerians without AIDS.

Studies of cognitive function in individuals with HIV infection who remain relatively asymptomatic have shown widely variable estimates of impairment in different races and countries. Limited data exist on the impact of early asymptomatic HIV infection on cognition in developing nations, and indeed none from Nigeria. Hence, this cross-sectional study sets out to determine whether there are differences between Nigerian asymptomatic HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative subjects, and whether such differences: if any, could be explained by the degree of immunosuppression (i.