Research Articles
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://localhost:4000/handle/123456789/53
Browse
Recent Submissions
Item Paediatric musculoskeletal disease in Kumi District, Uganda: a cross-sectional survey(SICOT aisbl, 2018) Kristin, Alves; Norgrove, Penny; Olive, Kobusingye; Robert, Olupot; Jeffrey N., Katz; Coleen S., SabatiniAbstract Purpose The purpose of this study is to estimate the burden of musculoskeletal disease among children treated in Kumi District, Uganda, to inform training, capacity-building efforts, and resource allocation. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study by reviewing the musculoskeletal (MSK) clinic and community outreach logs for children (age < 18 years) seen at Kumi Hospital in Kumi, Uganda, between January 2013 and December 2015. For each patient, we recorded the age, sex, diagnosis, and treatment recommendation. Results Of the 4852 children, the most common diagnoses were gluteal and quadriceps contractures (29.4% (95% CI 28.1– 30.7%), 96% of which were gluteal fibrosis), post-injection paralysis (12.7% (95% CI 11.8–13.6%)), infection (10.5% (95% CI 9.7–11.4%)), trauma (6.9% (95% CI 6.2–7.6%)), cerebral palsy (6.9% (95% CI 6.2–7.7%)), and clubfoot (4.3% (95% CI 3.8– 4.9%)). Gluteal fibrosis, musculoskeletal infections, and angular knee deformities create a large surgical burden with 88.1%, 59.1%, and 54.1% of patients seen with these diagnoses referred for surgery, respectively. Post-injection paralysis, clubfoot, and cerebral palsy were treated non-operatively in over 75% of cases. Conclusion While population-based estimates of disease burden and resource utilization are needed, this data offers insight into burden of musculoskeletal disease for this region of Sub-Saharan Africa.We estimate that 50%of the surgical conditions could be prevented with policy changes and education regarding injection practices and early care for traumatic injuries, clubfeet, and infection. This study highlights a need to increase capacity to care for specific musculoskeletal conditions, including gluteal fibrosis, post-injection paralysis, infection, and trauma in the paediatric population of Uganda.Item Surgical Release of Gluteal Fibrosis in Children Results in Sustained Benefit at 5-Year Follow-up(Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc, 2021) Amanda L., Reilly; Francis R., Owori; Ruth, Obaikol; Elizabeth, Asige; Harriet, Aluka; Norgrove, Penny; Robert, Olupot; Coleen S., SabatiniBackground: Gluteal fibrosis (GF) is a fibrotic infiltration of the gluteal muscles resulting in functionally limiting contracture of the hips and is associated with injections of medications into the gluteal muscles. It has been reported in numerous countries throughout the world. This study assesses the 5-year postoperative range of motion (ROM) and functional outcomes for Ugandan children who underwent surgical release of GF. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of children who underwent release of GF in 2013 at Kumi Hospital in Eastern Uganda. Functional outcomes, hip ROM, and scar satisfaction data were collected for all patients residing within 40 km of the hospital. Results: One hundred eighteen children ages 4 to 16 at the time of surgery were treated with surgical release of GF in 2013 at Kumi Hospital. Of those 118, 89 were included in this study (79.5%). The remaining 29 were lost to follow-up or lived outside the study’s radius. Detailed preoperative ROM and functional data were available for 53 of the 89 patients. In comparison with preoperative assessment, all patients postoperatively reported ability to run normally (P<0.001), sit upright in a chair (P< 0.001), sit while eating (P<0.001), and attend the entire day of school (P< 0.001). Passive hip flexion (P<0.001) improved when compared with preoperative measurements. In all, 85.2% (n= 75) of patients reported satisfaction with scar appearance as “ok,” “good,” or “excellent” 29.2% (n= 26) of patients reported back or hip complaints. Conclusions: Overall, the 5-year postoperative outcomes suggest that surgical release of GF improves ROM and functional quality of life with sustained effect. Level of Evidence: Level IV—case series. Key Words: gluteal fibrosis, injection injury, pediatric hip contracture, fibrosis surgery, treatment outcome, UgandaItem Breakdown of simple female genital fi stula repair after 7 day versus 14 day postoperative bladder catheterisation: a randomised, controlled, open-label, non-inferiority trial(CrossMark, 2015) Mark A, Barone; Mariana, Widmer; Steven, Arrowsmith; Joseph, Ruminjo; Armando, Seuc; Evelyn, Landry; Thierno Hamidou, Barry; Dantani, Danladi; Lucien, Djangnikpo; Tagie, Gbawuru-Mansaray; Issoufa, Harou; Alyona, Lewis; Mulu, Muleta; Dolorès, Nembunzu; Robert, Olupot; Ileogben, Sunday-Adeoye; Weston Khisa, Wakasiaka; Sihem, Landoulsi; Alexandre, Delamou; Lilian, Were; Vera, Frajzyngier; Karen, Beattie; A Metin, GülmezogluSummary Background Duration of bladder catheterisation after female genital fi stula repair varies widely. We aimed to establish whether 7 day bladder catheterisation was non-inferior to 14 days in terms of incidence of fi stula repair breakdown in women with simple fi stula. Methods In this randomised, controlled, open-label, non-inferiority trial, we enrolled patients at eight hospitals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Uganda. Consenting patients were eligible if they had a simple fi stula that was closed after surgery and remained closed 7 days after surgery, understood study procedures and requirements, and agreed to return for follow-up 3 months after surgery. We excluded women if their fi stula was not simple or was radiation-induced, associated with cancer, or due to lymphogranuloma venereum; if they were pregnant; or if they had multiple fi stula. A research assistant at each site randomly allocated participants 1:1 (randomly varying block sizes of 4–6; stratifi ed by country) to 7 day or 14 day bladder catheterisation (via a random allocation sequence computer generated centrally by WHO). Outcome assessors were not masked to treatment assignment. The primary outcome was fi stula repair breakdown, on the basis of dye test results, any time between 8 days after catheter removal and 3 months after surgery. The non-inferiority margin was 10%, assessed in the per-protocol population. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01428830. Findings We randomly allocated 524 participants between March 7, 2012, and May 6, 2013; 261 in the 7 day group and 263 in the 14 day group. In the per-protocol analysis, ten (4%) of 250 patients had repair breakdown in the 7 day group (95% CI 2–8) compared with eight (3%) of 251 (2–6) in the 14 day group (risk diff erence 0·8% [95% CI –2·8 to 4·5]), meeting the criteria for non-inferiority. Interpretation 7 day bladder catheterisation after repair of simple fi stula is non-inferior to 14 day catheterisation and could be used for management of women after repair of simple fi stula with no evidence of a signifi cantly increased risk of repair breakdown, urinary retention, or residual incontinence up to 3 months after surgery.Item Burden of gluteal fibrosis and postinjection paralysis in the children of Kumi District in Uganda(BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2018) Kristin, Alves; Norgrove, Penny; John, Ekure; Robert, Olupot; Olive, Kobusingye; Jeffrey N., Katz; Coleen S., SabatiniAbstract Background: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of postinjection paralysis (PIP) and gluteal fibrosis (GF) among children treated in a rural Ugandan Hospital. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study by reviewing the musculoskeletal clinic and community outreach logs for children (age < 18 yrs) diagnosed with either PIP or GF from Kumi Hospital in Kumi, Uganda between 2013 and 2015. We estimated the prevalence as a ratio of the number of children seen with each disorder over the total population of children seen for any musculoskeletal complaint in musculoskeletal clinic and total population of children seen for any medical complaint in the outreach clinic. Results: Of 1513 children seen in the musculoskeletal clinic, 331 (21.9% (95% CI 19.8–24.1%)) had PIP and another 258 (17.1% (95% CI 15.2–19.0%)) had GF as their diagnosis. Of 3339 children seen during outreach for any medical complaint, 283 (8.5% (95% CI 7.6–9.5%)) had PIP and another 1114 (33.4% (95% CI 31.8–35.0%)) had GF. Of patients with GF, 53.9% were male with a median age of 10 years (50% between 7 and 12 years old). Of patients with PIP, 56.7% were male with a median age of 5 years (50% between 2 and 8 years old). Conclusion: PIP and GF comprise over 30% of clinical visits for musculoskeletal conditions and 40% of outreach visits for any medical complaint in this area of Uganda. The high estimated prevalence in these populations suggest a critical need for research, treatment, and prevention. Keywords: Gluteal fibrosis, Post-injection paralysisItem One year overall survival of wilms tumor cases and its predictors, among children diagnosed at a teaching hospital in South Western Uganda:(MBC - Springer Nature, 2023-03-02) Eddymond, Ekuk; Charles Newton, Odongo; Leevan, Tibaijuka; Felix, Oyania; Walufu Ivan, Egesa; Felix, Bongomin; Raymond, Atwiine; Moses, Acan; Martin, SitumaAbstract Background Wilms tumor (WT) is the second most common solid tumor in Africa with both low overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) rates. However, no known factors are predicting this poor overall survival. Objective The study was to determine the one-year overall survival of WT cases and its predictors among children diagnosed in the pediatric oncology and surgical units of Mbarara regional referral hospital (MRRH), western Uganda. Methodology Children’s treatment charts and fles diagnosed and managed for WT were retrospectively followed up for the period between January 2017 to January 2021. Charts of children with histologically confrmed diagnoses were reviewed for demographics, clinical and histological characteristics, as well as treatment modalities. Results One-year overall survival was found to be 59.3% (95% CI: 40.7–73.3), with tumor size greater than 15 cm (p 0.021) and unfavorable WT type (p 0.012) being the predominant predictors. Conclusion Overall survival (OS) of WT at MRRH was found to be 59.3%, and predictive factors noted were unfavora ble histology and tumor size greater than 115 cm.Item Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Surgical Characteristics, Treatment Modalities and Short-Term Treatment Outcomes at a Tertiary Hospital in South-Western Uganda(Open Access Surgery, 2022) Mvuyo Maqhawe, Sikhondze; Deus, Twesigye; Charles Newton, Odongo; David, Mutiibwa; Edson, Tayebwa; Leevan, Tibaijuka; Samuel D, Ayana; Carlos Cabrera, DrequeAbstract Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a prevalent and serious consequence of poorly controlled diabetes. Hospitalizations are frequent among DFU patients, and these patients are at risk of lower extremity amputations (LEA). Uganda has few studies detailing DFUs and their management. We described the surgical characteristics, treatment modalities and short-term treatment outcomes of DFUs at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, in southwestern Uganda. Methods: A prospective cohort study involving 62 patients with DFUs was conducted from February 2021 to September 2021. We captured socio-demographic data, surgical characteristics, treatment and treatment outcomes of DFUs over a 5-week follow-up period, through an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used at analysis. Results: The mean age of participants was 57.0 ± 12.27 years, comprising 35 (56.5%) females. Majority had diabetes mellitus (DM) for more than 10 years, predominantly type 2 (93.5%), and 33.9% with very poor glycaemic control (HBA1c>9.5%). Most ulcers involved the toes (27.4%), with 80.7% being large (>3 cm2 ). Severe DFUs (Wagner grade 3–5) were seen in 66.2% of patients. Clinically infected ulcers mainly had Pseudomonas spp cultured. Arterial occlusion was detected in 35.5% through lower extremity Doppler ultrasonography. Initial surgical interventions were surgical debridement and LEA performed in 50.0% and 46.8%, respec tively. Eight (42.1%) patients suffered surgical site infection, while 26.3% had persistent gangrene after initial surgery. Revision surgery was performed in 25.8% of the participants. Mortality rate was 1.6%, and mean length of hospital stay was 17.0 ± 11.1 days. Conclusion: More than half of the patients had advanced DFUs (Wagner grades 3–5). Poor glycemic control and late presentation were common. Lower extremity amputation was a common initial treatment modality for DFUs. Routine lower extremity Doppler ultrasonography is recommended to assess peripheral arterial disease for DFU patients. Wound swabbing for culture and sensitivity testing is encouraged for appropriate antibiotic coverageItem Etiology, Clinical Presentations, and Short-Term Treatment Outcomes of Extrahepatic Obstructive Jaundice in South-Western Uganda(Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology journal, 2022-11-13) Charles Newton, Odongo; Carlos Cabrera, Dreque; David, Mutiibwa; Felix, Bongomin; Felix, Oyania; Mvuyo Maqhawe, Sikhondze; Moses, Acan; Raymond, Atwine; Fred, Kirya; Martin, SitumaBackground: The diagnosis of extrahepatic obstructive jaundice (EHOJ) remains a challenge and is often made late in low-resource settings. Systematic data are limited on the etiology and prognosis of patients with obstructive jaundice in Uganda. The objective of this study was to determine the etiology, clinical presentations, and short-term treatment outcomes of patients managed for EHOJ at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) in south-western Uganda. Methods: Between September 2019 and May 2020, we prospectively enrolled a cohort of patients who presented with EHOJ at MRRH. A pretested, semi-structured data collection tool was used to abstract data from both the study participants and their files. Results: A total of 72 patients, 42 (58.3%) of whom were male with a median age of 56 (range of 2 months to 95 years) were studied. Forty-two (58.3%) participants had malignancies: Pancreatic head tumors 20 (27.8%), cholangiocarcinoma 13 (18.1%), duodenal cancers 5 (6.94%), and gall bladder cancer 4 (5.6%). The remaining 30 (41.7%) participants had benign etiologies: choledocholithiasis 10 (13.9%), biliary atresia 7 (9.7%), pancreatic pseudo cyst 6 (8.3%), Mirizzi syndrome 5 (6.9%) and 1 (1.4%) each of chronic pancreatitis and choledochal cyst. Sixty-seven (93.1%) patients presented with right upper quadrant tenderness, 65 (90.3%) abdominal pain and 55 (76.3%) clay-colored stool. Cholecystectomy 11 (25.6%) and cholecystojejunostomy + jejunojejunostomy 8 (18.6%) were the commonest procedures performed. Twelve (17.0%) of cases received chemotherapy (epirubicin/cisplatin/capecitabine) for pan creatic head tumors and (gemcitabine/oxaliplatine) for cholangiocarcinoma. Mortality rate was 29.2% in the study, of which malignancy carried the highest mortality 20 (95.24%). Conclusion: Malignancy was the main cause of EHOJ observed in more than half of the patients. Interventions aimed at early recognition and appropriate referral are key in this population to improve outcomes.Item Urinary bladder cavernous hemangioma in a 3-year-old:(John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 2022-04-26) Charles Newton, Odongo; Raymond, Atwine; Fred, Kirya; Patrick Ambrose, Okello; Eugene, Ogwang; Moses, Acan; Felix, Bongomin; Martin, SitumaCavernous hemangioma (CH) of urinary bladder occurs relatively infrequently, accounting for 0.6% of all bladder tumors. This tumor may occur sporadically or coexist with other benign and malignant vascular lesions. In this report, we present a rare case of CH in a 3-year-old Ugandan girl. A 3-year-old girl was re ferred to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) for urological evaluation following a 3-year history of intravaginal swelling, dysuria, and heavy hematuria resulting in anemia. Imaging was consistent with polypoid bladder mass arising from the bladdertrigone. Embryonalrhabdomyosarcoma wassuspected based on clinical eyeballing. She was worked up for chemotherapy and received 26 cycles of vincristine sulfate, actinomycin-d, and cyclophosphamide (VAC). Biopsy and fulguration were performed after optimizing the patient. Histopathology con firmed CH. The surgery was uneventful and resulted in complete cure. CH should be considered in the differential diagnosis of childhood genitourinary masses. It is a rare entity in the real-life clinical practice and therefore can be overlooked. Excision biopsy and histology should be performed before initiating the patients to chemotherapy. CH is very insensitive to chemotherapy and therefore surgery maybe adequate in resource-limited settings.