Former Buruli Ulcer Patients' Experiences and Wishes May Serve as a Guide to Further Improve Buruli Ulcer Management.

Background: Buruli ulcer (BU), caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, is a neglected tropical disease frequently leading to permanent disabilities. The ulcers are treated with rifampicin and streptomycin, wound care and, if necessary surgical intervention. Professionals have exclusively shaped the research agenda concerning management and control, while patients' perspective on priorities and preferences have not explicitly been explored or addressed.

Good quality of life in former Buruli ulcer patients with small lesions: long-term follow-up of the BURULICO trial.

Background: Buruli Ulcer is a tropical skin disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, which, due to scarring and contractures can lead to stigma and functional limitations. However, recent advances in treatment, combined with increased public health efforts have the potential to significantly improve disease outcome.

Objectives: To study the Quality of Life (QoL) of former Buruli Ulcer patients who, in the context of a randomized controlled trial, reported early with small lesions (cross-sectional diameter <10 cm), and received a full course of antibiotic treatment.

Long term streptomycin toxicity in the treatment of Buruli Ulcer: follow-up of participants in the BURULICO drug trial.

Background: Buruli Ulcer (BU) is a tropical infectious skin disease that is currently treated with 8 weeks of intramuscular streptomycin and oral rifampicin. As prolonged streptomycin administration can cause both oto- and nephrotoxicity, we evaluated its long term toxicity by following-up former BU patients that had received either 4 or 8 weeks of streptomycin in addition to other drugs between 2006 and 2008, in the context of a randomized controlled trial.

Methods: Former patients were retrieved in 2012, and oto- and nephrotoxicity were determined by audiometry and serum creatinine levels.

Predictors for persistence of functional somatic symptoms in adolescents.

Objective: To identify risk factors for persistence of functional somatic symptoms (FSS; ie, somatic symptoms that cannot be sufficiently explained by underlying organic pathology).

Study Design: The first (N = 2230, mean age = 11.1 years [SD 0.

Towards rational use of antibiotics for suspected secondary infections in Buruli ulcer patients.

Background: The emerging disease Buruli ulcer is treated with streptomycin and rifampicin and surgery if necessary. Frequently other antibiotics are used during treatment.

Methods/principal Findings: Information on prescribing behavior of antibiotics for suspected secondary infections and for prophylactic use was collected retrospectively.

Depression and posttraumatic stress disorder among HIV-infected Gambians on antiretroviral therapy.

Mood disorders are more frequent among people with HIV infection than among non-HIV-infected individuals of the same age, socioeconomic status, and HIV risks. They have been associated with worse adherence and clinical outcomes, yet remain underdiagnosed and undertreated in sub-Saharan Africa. We explored the relationship between mood disorders using the 10-item depression scale of the Centers for Epidemiological Studies (CES-D10) and the 22-item Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R) for posttraumatic stress disorder, and a range of demographic and HIV-related variables among 252 consecutive subjects on antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms among people living with HIV in the Gambia.

This study aimed to assess the prevalence and clinical and psychosocial correlates of psychiatric symptoms in a sample of HIV patients in the Gambia. Data from 44 HIV-positive outpatients were collected at a Genito-Urinary Medicine clinic in Fajara, the Gambia. Translated versions of the Impact of Event Scale Revised and the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Short Depression Scale were used to assess posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and depressive symptoms, respectively.

Pictorial Representation of Illness and Self Measure Revised II (PRISM-RII): a novel method to assess perceived burden of illness in diabetes patients.

Background: The Pictorial Representation of Illness and Self Measure (PRISM) has been introduced as a visual measure of suffering. We explored the validity of a revised version, the PRISM-RII, in diabetes patients as part of the annual review.

Methods: Participants were 308 adult outpatients with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes.