A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence and risk factors of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Nigeria.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major global non-communicable disease, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Its prevalence in Nigeria is driven by various risk factors. This review assesses the national and regional prevalence and risk factors of T2DM in Nigeria.

Liver histology pattern of young patients with inactive chronic hepatitis b virus infection from a hospital in South West Nigeria.

Background: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection is the leading cause of chronic liver disease in sub-Saharan Africa. A significant proportion of patients with CHB are inactive carriers, for whom guidelines neither recommend biopsy nor treatment. In sub-Saharan Africa, patients under 30 years old with CHB sometimes develop liver cancer, raising the possibility that significant liver disease may occur early in life in these patients.

THE NIGERIAN ATRIAL FIBRILLATION NATIONAL REGISTRY: RATIONALE, DESIGN AND EARLY FINDINGS.

Introduction/background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia. The AF Atrial Fibrillation Registry, which commenced in June 2023, was designed to provide clinical epidemiological data on patients with AF in the country.

Objective(s): The objective is to describe the rationale, design, and early findings from the registry.

Experiences and needs of persons who have undergone limb amputation in Saki West, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Background: Amputation is a life-changing experience involving the surgical removal of a body part. However, little is known about the experiences of persons who have undergone limb amputation in the Saki West Local Government Area (LGA), which prompted this study.

Methods: An exploratory qualitative study design was used.

Genes to therapy: a comprehensive literature review of whole-exome sequencing in neurology and neurosurgery.

Whole-exome sequencing (WES), a ground-breaking technology, has emerged as a linchpin in neurology and neurosurgery, offering a comprehensive elucidation of the genetic landscape of various neurological disorders. This transformative methodology concentrates on the exonic portions of DNA, which constitute approximately 1% of the human genome, thus facilitating an expedited and efficient sequencing process. WES has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases, neuro-oncology, cerebrovascular disorders, and epilepsy by revealing rare variants and novel mutations and providing intricate insights into their genetic complexities.

Addressing abdominal trauma from conflict and warfare in under-resourced regions: A critical narrative review.

Introduction: The prevalence of abdominal injuries in war and conflict zones, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), presents a significant healthcare challenge. These injuries, often resulting from explosive devices, firearms, and shrapnel, lead to high morbidity and mortality rates due to delayed diagnoses, inadequate medical infrastructure, and limited access to specialised care. This review aims to summarise the literature on conflict-related abdominal injuries in LMICs, highlighting the impact of such trauma on healthcare systems and patient outcomes, and suggesting strategies for improvement.

Exoscope-assisted spine surgery: Current applications and future directions-A short review.

Spine surgery is a critical field that seeks to alleviate pain and restore function in patients with various spinal pathologies. Over the years, spine surgery has seen advancements such as minimally invasive techniques with operative microscopes and robotic surgeries. These techniques, however, demand better visualisation during the procedure.

Theranostics advances in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological and neurosurgical diseases.

Theranostics represents a significant advance in the fields of neurology and neurosurgery, offering innovative approaches that combine the diagnosis and treatment of various neurological disorders. This innovation serves as a cornerstone of personalized medicine, where therapeutic strategies are closely integrated with diagnostic tools to enable precise and targeted interventions. Primary research results emphasize the profound impact of theranostics in Neuro Oncol.

Beyond the operating room: addressing the "second-victim" phenomenon in surgical practice.

Complications are plausible events during surgical operations. Surgical complications profoundly impact surgeons, often called "second victims" of adverse events. These complications trigger a range of emotional and psychological responses, including guilt, anxiety, heightened empathy, and the looming threat of burnout.

Chromosomal instability: a key driver in glioma pathogenesis and progression.

Chromosomal instability (CIN) is a pivotal factor in gliomas, contributing to their complexity, progression, and therapeutic challenges. CIN, characterized by frequent genomic alterations during mitosis, leads to genetic abnormalities and impacts cellular functions. This instability results from various factors, including replication errors and toxic compounds.

Immunotherapeutic advances in glioma management: The rise of vaccine-based approaches.

Background: Gliomas, particularly glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), are highly aggressive brain tumors that present significant challenges in oncology due to their rapid progression and resistance to conventional therapies. Despite advancements in treatment, the prognosis for patients with GBM remains poor, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic approaches. One such emerging strategy is the development of glioma vaccines, which aim to stimulate the immune system to target and destroy tumor cells.

Women's empowerment as a determinant of neonatal mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa: a narrative review focused on Nigeria.

Neonatal mortality remains a critical public health issue, with Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) experiencing disproportionately high rates compared to other global regions. Notably, SSA and South Asia are the regions most lagging behind the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.2, aiming for <12 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030.

Influence of Depression on the Quality of Life in Patients With Parkinson's Disease in Southwest Nigeria.

Background Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder that significantly impacts patients' quality of life (QoL). Depression is a common comorbidity in patients with PD, potentially exacerbating QoL deterioration. This study aimed to assess the influence of depression on QoL in patients with PD at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Nigeria.

Surgical mentorship in low-resource environments: Opportunities and challenges, a perspective.

Background And Aims: In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), a shortage of skilled surgical practitioners hampers healthcare delivery, impacting well-being and economic growth. Surgical mentorship programs offer a promising solution but face challenges in implementation. This review aims to comprehensively assess the impact of surgical mentorship programs in LMICs and identify challenges and opportunities for their development and implementation.

Empowering health care consumers & understanding patients' perspectives on AI integration in oncology and surgery: A perspective.

Introduction: Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming oncology and surgery by improving diagnostics, personalizing treatments, and enhancing surgical precision. Patients appreciate AI for its potential to provide accurate prognoses and tailored therapies. However, AI's implementation raises ethical concerns, data privacy issues, and the need for transparent communication between patients and health care providers.

Acute Small-bowel Obstruction: An Appraisal of Common Etiology and Management at the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, North-central Nigeria.

Background: Acute small intestinal obstruction is a common surgical emergency in the sub-Saharan region. Over the decades, complicated inguinal hernias have been identified as a leading cause. However, we observed from our clinical practice that complicated inguinal hernias were not the most common etiology.

Demographic and clinical correlates of depression among older adults with arthritis in Nigeria.

Background: Older adults have a high prevalence of chronic conditions like arthritis with morbidities, especially depression ranging up to 40% - 70%. Therefore, it is important to explore depression in older adults with arthritis.

Aim: This study aimed to determine if any demographic and clinical factors are associated with depression in older adults aged ≥ 60 years with arthritis attending a rheumatology clinic.

Bridging Minds and Machines: The Recent Advances of Brain-Computer Interfaces in Neurological and Neurosurgical Applications.

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), a remarkable technological advancement in neurology and neurosurgery, mark a significant leap since the inception of electroencephalography in 1924. These interfaces effectively convert central nervous system signals into commands for external devices, offering revolutionary benefits to patients with severe communication and motor impairments due to a myriad of neurological conditions like stroke, spinal cord injuries, and neurodegenerative disorders. BCIs enable these individuals to communicate and interact with their environment, using their brain signals to operate interfaces for communication and environmental control.

Assessing the Neurosurgical Capacity in Nigeria Using the Modified Neuro-PIPES Tool.

Background: Like many low- and-middle-income countries in Africa, documented assessment of the neurosurgical workforce, equipment, infrastructure, and scope of service delivery in Nigeria is lacking. This study aimed to assess the capacity for the delivery of neurosurgical services in Nigeria.

Methods: An 83-question survey was disseminated to neurosurgeons and residents in Nigeria.

A Geospatial Analysis of the Availability, Distribution, and Accessibility of Neurosurgical Facilities, Workforce, and Infrastructure in Nigeria; and Projection Towards 2050.

Objective: There has been a modest but progressive increase in the neurosurgical workforce, training, and service delivery in Nigeria in the last 2 decades. However, these resources are unevenly distributed. This study aimed to quantitatively assess the availability and distribution of neurosurgical resources in Nigeria while projecting the needed workforce capacity up to 2050.

Correlation of alanine aminotransferase levels and a histological diagnosis of steatohepatitis with ultrasound-diagnosed metabolic-associated fatty liver disease in patients from a centre in Nigeria.

Background: Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is defined as the occurrence of hepatic fat accumulation in patients with negligible alcohol consumption or any other cause of hepatic steatosis. This study aimed to correlate the ultrasound-based diagnosis of MAFLD with the histological diagnosis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in patients with MAFLD.

Methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study of 71 patients with MAFLD diagnosed by ultrasound.

Exoscope-assisted spine surgery: Current applications and future directions.

Spine surgery is continually evolving, with the application of new technologies often serving as a catalyst for improved clinical outcomes. Exoscope-assisted spinal surgery has recently emerged as a notable technological advancement offering a refined approach to visualisation, thereby potentially contributing to improved surgical precision, reduced complication rates, and optimised patient outcomes. The application of exoscopes have improved spine surgeries such as spinal fusion procedures, decompression surgeries, instrumentation surgeries, minimally invasive and complex surgeries.

Task Sharing and Task Shifting (TSTS) in the Management of Africans with Hypertension: A Call For Action-Possibilities and Its Challenges.

Hypertension is a leading cause of mortality globally and one of the most common risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Diagnosis, awareness, and optimal treatment rates are suboptimal, especially in low- and middle-income countries, with attendant high health consequences and grave socioeconomic impact. There is an enormous gap between disease burden and physician-patient ratios that needs to be bridged.