Nigerian Medical Practitioner

Challenges and Solutions in Brain Death Diagnosis: A Global Perspective on Ethical and Cultural Considerations.

Oladokun OD, Idowu OE, Ogun SA — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Summary:
Accurate brain death diagnosis is crucial for end-of-life care and organ donation, but it faces challenges in low-income countries. This article explores these challenges, including a lack of standardised protocols, limited resources, religious, and cultural considerations. We propose solutions like context-specific guidelines, capacity building for healthcare professionals, and public awareness campaigns. Improved brain death diagnosis can enhance patient care, uphold ethical principles, and increase organ donation availability in low-resource settings.

Levels of Albuminuria and Serum Uric Acid and their Relationship in Hypertensive Patients in Southern Part of Nigeria

Eguvbe AO, Ologbo TO, Ighorodje FV — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Summary:

Worldwide, hypertension is the main modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and premature death. It is also the main cause of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. Several studies have reported a direct relationship between both microalbuminuria and elevated serum uric acid level and cardiovascular disease among patients with hypertension. This study was to assess the levels of albuminuria and serum uric acid and their relationship in patients with hypertension. This was a cross-sectional study conducted among three hundred participants including two hundred hypertensive and one hundred normotensive individuals, in Central Hospital, Warri, Delta State, between October 2022 and January 2023. The mean UACR was significantly higher in the hypertensives than in the controls (1.02 ± 1.42 vs. 0.28 ± 0.16 mg/mmol respectively, p < 0.001). The mean serum uric acid was significantly higher in the hypertensives than in the controls (0.26 ± 0.18 vs. 0.14 ± 0.03 mmol/l respectively, p<0.001). There was a significant weak positive correlation between UACR and SUA in the hypertensive group (Pearson's Correlation = 0.156, P-value = 0.027). The levels of UACR and serum uric acid were significantly higher in the hypertensives than in the controls. There was a weak positive correlation between UACR and serum uric acid in the hypertensive group.

Pattern of Suicide among Residents in Benin City, Nigeria

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Summary:

Suicide remains a social menace in most regions globally. The trend tends to vary from society to society. Due to the societal menace, the study assessed the pattern of suicide in Benin City and its environs. The pattern of suicide was assessed retrospectively using an adapted developed form. The form consist of following about the victim: Age, sex, profession, year of report, substance used, etiology, eﬀorts made in counseling, history of psychiatric illness. Data collected were summarized accordingly. Out of the eighteen reported cases, male/female ratio was 1:1.25. They were all adults and all the cases were intentional. The percentage reports were: students, 9(50.00%) used Chemicals (Sniper(R) 7(38.89%), Otapiapia 2 (11.11%), 1(5.56%) used unknown drugs, 1(5.56%) was due to ill-health, 3(16.67%) used unknown substance. Cases were common in the year 2000s. One (5.56%) used firearms, 1(5.56%) one used electrocution, 1(5.56%) fell from height, 1(5.56%) died by hanging. Marital issues/relationship was the most common among 9(50.00%) and 3(16.67%) was due to unknown reason. They all died irrespective of the substance used. The pattern of suicide reported seems to vary in gender, substance used and etiology. Based on this report, concerted eﬀort should be made by individuals and corporate organizations in paying much attention to those experiencing mental health conditions through counseling, rehabilitation and adopt other technical approa-ches in curbing the trend.

Os Subfibulare: A Rare Accessory Bone in the Ankle which mimic Avulsion Fracture

Akinmokun OI, Otubi GE — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Summary:

Os subfibulare is a rare accessory bone in the ankle whose presence can cause misdiagnosis. Knowledge of these accessory bones is important to make accurate diagnosis when they are encountered. We present a case of Os subfibulare who was misdiagnosed as a lateral malleolar fracture.