Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is an endocrine disease with profound vascular morbidity and mortality, and hypertension is known to play a prominent role in this regard. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of hypertension and to assess drug control of hypertension among DM patients seen in Enugu, Nigeria. Methods: The medical records of 420 adult patients with diagnosis of type 2 DM and hypertension, managed consecutively in the outpatient unit of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu were studied. Results: Sixty percent of the diabetic patients had hypertension. Only 12% of these patients had their blood pressure controlled to ≤ 130mmHg and ≤ 80mmHg. About 12.3% of the patients who had hypertension were not on anti hypertensive drug treatment. Most of the patients were placed on 1 or 2 drugs. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors were the most frequently prescribed drug. Conclusion: This study and similar ones from other parts of Nigeria indicate that the prevalence of hypertension among Nigerians with type 2 DM is high. Clinicians and patients should be reminded that even though blood glucose control is important, aggressive blood pressure control in diabetics is top priority in preventing adverse cardiovascular events which causes the highest mortality in the average population of type 2 diabetics. Appropriate antihypertensive regimen optimizes nonpharmacological therapies, reduces adverse effects on glucose control, minimizes the risk of medication-related side-effects, and provides much needed cardiac and renal protection.

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Aims and Objectives: The purpose of this study is to present an experiential audit of initial data accumulated in 3 years since inception in 2007 of mammographic and sono-mammographic work at the Radiology Department of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. Materials and Methods: In the three years under review 443 patient records were examined. Results: Majority of the women were in the mid-forties.Breast pain was the leading complaint (54.8%). This was followed by complaint of breast mass (34.5%). The predominant breast pattern encountered is the fibro-glandular type. Reduction in cost of imaging when combined with awareness campaign appeared encourage health-seeking behaviour. Beyond basic imaging, cases of suspicious nipple discharge unfortunately underwent no further radiologic work up like ductulography to establish definitive diagnosis. Conclusions: This paper concludes that the culture of breast imaging for diagnostic and screening purposes is evolving in South-East Nigeria where the breast imaging unit of the institution has played a pioneering role. Sensitization advocacy to the general public about breast diseases and the local availability of breast imaging services, followed by reduction of cost of access to such services impacts positively on service utilization. There is need to encourage earlier screening as most patients screened are close to the peak incidence of breast carcinoma in this environment.

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Oro-cutaneous fistula of dental origin is uncommon, unsightly, and sometimes distressing and frustrating to the patient. The major sources of dental infection causing this condition are periapical following pulpal necrosis, and periodontal. The continued leakage of purulent material from the oral cavity to the face and the eventual scar tissue formation create aesthetic problem. Dental examination and relevant oro-facial radiographs are paramount to its diagnosis. Treatment of the necrotic pulp by endodontic therapy or extraction of the offending tooth will resolve the infection and heal the fistula. Dermatologists and other medical practitioners should be aware that oro-cutaneous fistula from dental aetiology can be confused with skin lesions. A case managed at the Dental and Maxillofacial Clinic of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Nigeria is presented here.

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Background: The burden of communicable diseases is high, now the burden of non-communicable disease is also growing hence it important that the distributions of different disease in Tertiary Hospital is known. Unprecedented changes have occurred in the structure of the society that have impacted on health and healthcare system¹. Societal expectations from health professionals have increased². Disease pattern have changed from disease oriented system to health promotion. The objective of the study is to determine the pattern of disease of Hospitalized patients in Two Tertiary Health Care Facilities in Nigeria. Methods: The research design was descriptive. Selection of study area was by convenience of purpose as UNTH Enugu and UCH Ibadan representing Centres of Excellence. Sample was drawn from Nursing manpower. Inclusion criteria required the Nurse manager to be working at the ward level. Instrument for data collection was Data Collection Proforma and Interview Guide. Observation of ward Admission Records from February – April 2004. Qualitative data analysis was used for Data Analysis. Content Analysis was also done. Results: A total of 1,827 patients were admitted in both Hospitals from February – April 2004. Each patient spent an average of 14.4 days. UNTH alone had 175 Admissions, 45 males, 140 females. UNTH had total of 51 deaths (11 males and 40 females). UCH alone had 257 Admissions, 52 males, 215 females, in one month. 30 deaths (13 males, 17 females). Conclusions: The forces that shape and influence medical nursing practice in the Tertiary Hospitals studied are similar. These include a disease burden that is heavily tilted to preventable infectious diseases 30.5% and overstretched by over whelming volume of chronic non-communicable diseases 59% and injuries 10.5%. There is also the effect of poor financing of healthcare system.

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Background: The gastrointestinal system is innervated by the sympathetic and parasympathetic components of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). ANS mediate its effect by the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter secreted by the parasympathetic nervous system. Its stimulation produces increase intestinal motility, sphincter muscle relaxation and stimulation of secretion. The actions of acetylcholine can be blocked by using a cholinergic receptor, antagonist such as atropine. Aims: This study is aimed at determining the effect of aqueous rhizome extract of Zingiber officinale on an isolated rat ileum Result: The aqueous extract of Zingiber officinale produced similar effect as atropine, as seen when varied increasing doses(1mg/ml, 2mg/ml, 4mg/ml) of the extract was administered. It produced significant inhibition (P< 0.05) at 1mg/ml (P< 0.01) at 2mg/ml (P< 0.001) and at 4mg/ml intestinal motility respectively , indicating anti diarrhoea effect.

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Background: Unreported diabetes mellitus and glucose intolerance have substantial clinical importance. Glucose intolerance precedes diabetes mellitus and it is associated with cardiovascular complications. Subjects with prediabetes have near normal glycated haemoglobin and may only be detected when oral glucose tolerance was performed. Early detection may prevent or delay diabetes and its complications. This study determined the prevalence of un-reported diabetes mellitus and glucose intolerance in Owerri Municipality, Imo State of Nigeria. Methodology: 1,012 apparently healthy subjects aged 45 years and above were recruited for the study. Their anthropometric parameters were measured using standard methods and plasma glucose was measured using glucose oxidase method. Diagnosis of diabetes and pre-diabetes was made according to WHO criteria. Results: A total of 157 subjects had pre-diabetes giving a prevalence of15.5%. Subjects of aged 40 – 59 years were mostly affected. IFG alone, IGT alone and a combination of IFG +IGT occurred in 30.6%, 62.4% and 7.0% respectively of the study population. The highest prevalence of IFG was recorded in the 40 – 49 years age group while that of IGT occurred in the 50 – 59 years range. A combination of IFG and IGT occurred rarely in the study population, 7.0% and none was detected after the age of 59 years. A greater proportion of males, 18%, than females, 14.5%, had pre-diabetes. Unreported diabetes was detected in 8.6% of the study population, most of them in the 50 – 69 years age bracket. It was more prevalent in the female subjects, 11.1% than in the male subjects 4.4%. The mean BMI, WHR, FPG and 2hppG of the pre-diabetes subjects were 28.76 ±3.5kg/m2, 0.94 ±0.14, 5.28 ± 0.75 mmol/l and 8.43 ± 1.57mmol/l respectively. Among the male pre-diabetes subjects, peak values for BMI and FPG occurred after 70 years of age while in their female counterparts, peak mean values for these parameters occurred much earlier, 40 -59 years range. Conclusions: The report showed high prevalence of glucose intolerance and un-reported diabetes mellitus in the population. The need for regular screening of the population for glucose intolerance was highlighted in order to reduce the incidence of diabetes and its complications.

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