Association between serum vitamin D status and severity of liver cirrhosis: implications for therapeutic targeting in Nigerian patients.

Background: Liver cirrhosis is a chronic and progressive liver disease with significant global health implications. Recent evidence suggests an association between serum vitamin D levels and the severity of liver cirrhosis, potentially serving as a therapeutic target. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum vitamin D status and the severity of liver cirrhosis in a population of Nigerian patients.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Associated Risk Factors in Obese Nigerians: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now adjudged the most common liver disease in the world, contributing to the rising incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. However, the true prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease among obese individuals and its contribution to the burden of liver disease in Nigeria is unknown.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and associated risk factors in obese subjects.

Pyoderma Gangrenosum in a Young Nigerian Male with Severe Ulcerative Colitis: A Case Report.

Pyoderma gangrenosum manifests as recurrent deep ulceration of the skin and is associated with a variety of disorders. We report a 40-year-old man who developed ulcers on the flexor surface of his right lower limb following a trauma 10 years prior to the current presentation. He was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis 20 years ago, and was previously placed on sulfasalazine and prednisolone.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease in a typical African population: a symptom-based multicenter study.

Background: The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in Africa is not known but is believed to be increasing because of demographic and epidemiologic transition. The main objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and risk factors of GERD, and its degree of overlap with dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in Nigeria, a typical African population.

Methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional and descriptive study of adult Nigerians.

Medical causes of death in a teaching hospital in South-Eastern Nigeria: A 16 year review.

Background: Most developing regions of the world are undergoing gradual epidemiological transition resulting in high burden of both communicable and noncommunicable diseases. This affects the pattern of death in this region.

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the causes of death in the medical wards of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu, South-East Nigeria from 1995 to 2010.

High degree of duodenal inflammation in Nigerians with functional dyspepsia.

Background: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a heterogeneous disorder associated with diverse pathophysiological mechanisms, including immune activation and low-grade mucosal inflammation. Genetic factors, physiological functions, and environmental factors may determine the relative importance of various pathophysiological mechanisms. This study was designed to determine the histological alterations in the duodenal mucosa of Nigerian patients with FD.

Pattern of cancer deaths in the medical wards of a teaching hospital in South East Nigeria.

Background: Cancers are emerging public health problems in developing countries like Nigeria. The epidemiological shift and aging population make cancers a challenge.

Objective: We set out to describe the pattern of death due to cancer in our medical ward.

Pattern of liver disease admissions in a Nigerian tertiary hospital.

Objective: Liver disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Its pattern varies in different geographical locations. This study aimed to determine the pattern and risk factors of liver disease in a Nigerian tertiary hospital.

Functional dyspepsia: subtypes, risk factors, and overlap with irritable bowel syndrome in a population of african patients.

Background. Functional dyspepsia is the prototype functional gastrointestinal disorder. This study was designed to determine its prevalence, subtypes, and risk factors associated with the subtypes.

Current trends in the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease: a review.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic disorder of the upper gastrointestinal tract with global distribution. The incidence is on the increase in different parts of the world. In the last 30 to 40 years, research findings have given rise to a more robust understanding of its pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and management.

Sedation practices for routine diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in Nigeria.

Aim: To determine the sedation practices and preferences of Nigerian endoscopists for routine diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Methods: A structured questionnaire containing questions related to sedation practices and safety procedures was administered to Nigerian gastrointestinal endoscopists at the 2011 annual conference of the Society for Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Nigeria which was held at Ibadan, June 23-35, 2011.

Results: Of 35 endoscopists who responded, 17 (48.

Chronic hepatitis B: management challenges in resource-poor countries.

Sylvester Chuks Nwokediuko, Department of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku OzallaChronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a global public health problem because of its worldwide distribution and its potential to cause sequelae. HBV is most prevalent in China, South East Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and the Amazon basin of South America where health care resources are most limited. Numerous challenges exist for effective management of chronic HBV infection, particularly in resource-limited regions.

Time trends of upper gastrointestinal diseases in Nigeria.

Background: The changing epidemiology of a disease often provides valuable insight into possible etiopathogenic mechanisms. There have been significant changes over the last several decades in disease manifestations of the foregut in Western Europe, North America and Asia. This time trend analysis was carried out to determine if any changes have occurred in the prevalence of diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract in Nigeria.

Risk factors for hepatitis C virus transmission obscure in nigerian patients.

Aim. To determine the prevalence of anti-HCV and risk factors associated with HCV infection in Nigerians. Materials and Method.

Esophageal Intraepithelial Neutrophil Infiltration is Common in Nigerian Patients With Non-Erosive Reflux Disease.

Background: Non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) is a variant of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in which patients with typical reflux symptoms have no evidence of erosive esophagitis at endoscopy. An objective diagnostic tool for NERD remains an unmet need for clinicians and researchers. This study was designed to determine the types of histological alterations seen in Nigerian patients with NERD.

Selected biochemical and hematological abnormalities in Nigerians with human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus coinfection.

Background: Liver disease has emerged as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection, now that antiretroviral therapy has become more effective and has prolonged life expectancy in HIV-infected patients. The main objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of HIV/HCV coinfection and the pattern of hematological and biochemical abnormalities associated with such dual infection.

Methods: In this study, patients with HIV infection (cases) were tested for anti-HCV antibodies.

Platelet Function and Other Indices of Hemostasis in Chronic Liver Disease.

Background: Bleeding time has been used for a long time as a global test of platelet function. Due to a number of pitfalls the test has been losing popularity. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of prolonged bleeding time in Nigerians with chronic liver disease in relation to other indices of hemostasis.

Seroprevalence of antibody to HDV in Nigerians with hepatitis B virus-related liver diseases.

Objective: Hepatitis D Virus (HDV) infection has been reported to be declining in some geographical areas. In order to ascertain the current status of HDV infection in Nigeria, a study of patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver diseases was undertaken to determine the sero-prevalence ofanti-HDV.

Method: This was a prospective, cross-sectional study in which all consecutive patients with liver disease who tested positive for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were also tested for antibody to HDV.

Relatively Long Survival in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Presenting With Carcinoid Syndrome.

Hepatocelluar carcinoma is one of the commonest cancers in Nigeria. Some patients may manifest a variety of paraneoplastic syndromes. Carcinoid syndrome is an extremely rare presentation of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Quantitative Platelet Abnormalities in Patients With Hepatitis B Virus-Related Liver Disease.

Background: Platelets play a central role in primary hemostasis. Quantitative abnormalities of platelets are known to occur in chronic liver disease. The study was carried out to determine the abnormalities of platelet count in various forms of Hepatitis B virus-related liver disease.

Case fatality among hypertension-related admissions in Enugu, Nigeria.

Objective: To determine the case fatality rate and ultimate causes of death among patients with hypertension-related conditions admitted to an urban tertiary hospital,

Method: A five-year review of hypertension-related admissions into the medical wards of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, between 1995 and 1999, was undertaken.

Results: 7220 patients were admitted into the medical wards during the period under review. Of these, 445 (6.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Population Based Study.

Background: The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease varies in different parts of the world. There are no population based studies in Nigeria. The main objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux disease in a population of Nigerian medical students.

Hepatitis C virus infection in Nigerians with diabetes mellitus.

Background/aims: Studies from mainly Caucasian populations have shown epidemiological evidence of an association between diabetes mellitus and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The aim of this study was to determine whether any such association exists in a blackAfrican population with diabetes mellitus.

Method: This was a cross sectional study of consecutive diabetic patients seen at the diabetes clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu, Nigeria between September 1, 2004 and April 30, 2005.

Intestinal Helminths in relationship to Chronic Diarrhoea in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Seropositive Adults in Enugu.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and intestinal helminthiasis are common conditions in Nigeria. Chronic diarrhoea is a common manifestation of acquired immune deficiency syndrome ( AIDS). Helminths such as Strongyloides stercoralis and Trichuris trichiura may cause chronic diarrhoea especially in immunocompromised individuals.

Apparent rarity of cryptosporidiosis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related diarrhoea in Enugu, South-Eastern, Nigeria.

Cryptosporidium is the most frequently implicated organism in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related diarrhoea worldwide. Because of the increasing incidence and prevalence of HIV infection in Nigeria and the associated increase in the number of patients presenting with chronic diarrhoea, it has become necessary to determine the prevalence of this organism in HIV-infected patients in Enugu, South Eastern Nigeria. One hundred and eighty nine (189) adult patients with chronic diarrhoea admitted to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu from August 1996 to October 1997 were further evaluated by serological testing for HIV infection.