Pancreatic cancer mortality in South Africa: A case-control study
CONCLUSION: Smoking and certain occupations increased the risk of pancreatic cancer mortality. Further research is needed to evaluate the associations between other extrinsic and intrinsic factors and pancreatic cancer mortality.PMID:38525629 | DOI:10.7196/SAMJ.2024.v114i1.1132 (Source: South African Medical Journal)
Source: South African Medical Journal - March 25, 2024 Category: African Health Authors: M L Nhleko I Edoka E Musenge Source Type: research
Informal gold miners with mercury toxicity: Novel asymmetrical neurological presentations
S Afr Med J. 2023 Dec 4;113(12):20. doi: 10.7196/SAMJ.2023.v113i12.1127.ABSTRACTMercury is a highly toxic heavy metal that may cause neurological, respiratory, gastrointestinal and dermatological illnesses. Previously described neurological manifestations of mercury toxicity are symmetrical, and include a pancerebellar syndrome, generalised seizures and encephalopathy. Mercury is used in the gold mining process, and in artisanal or illicit gold mining, often without necessary protection. Here we describe the cases of two artisanal gold miners from western Johannesburg, South Africa, who presented with atypical neurological...
Source: South African Medical Journal - March 25, 2024 Category: African Health Authors: J George E Sadiq I Moola S Maharaj A Mochan Source Type: research
The characteristics of dermatology inpatients seen at the quaternary Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban, South Africa, over a 5-year period - 2015 - 2020
CONCLUSION: A broad range of diagnoses is managed through the dermatology inpatient service, particularly as consultations. These services remain essential in the holistic management of patients.PMID:38525631 | DOI:10.7196/SAMJ.2024.v114i1.1098 (Source: South African Medical Journal)
Source: South African Medical Journal - March 25, 2024 Category: African Health Authors: L Mthembu J T Masuka K Duze A Mosam Source Type: research
Dyslipidaemia in patients with chronic kidney disease - a neglected cardiovascular risk factor
CONCLUSION: This cohort comprised a large proportion of patients classified as high or very high risk for ASCVD. Despite this, the use of LLT was inadequate, and <20% of patients were at target LDL-C levels. These data suggest a greater need for awareness of initiating LLT to achieve recommended target LDL-C levels in patients with CKD.PMID:38525632 | DOI:10.7196/SAMJ.2023.v113i11.1089 (Source: South African Medical Journal)
Source: South African Medical Journal - March 25, 2024 Category: African Health Authors: M R Essop F Seedat F J Raal Source Type: research
Antivirals for the treatment of mild and moderate COVID-19 in South Africa
S Afr Med J. 2023 Dec 4;113(12):33. doi: 10.7196/SAMJ.2023.v113i12.1066.ABSTRACTWhile the majority of COVID-19 cases in South Africa (SA) are mild, patients with severe COVID-19 requiring hospitalisation present with significant morbidity and mortality and place a substantial burden on healthcare services. Given the low vaccine uptake in SA and other low- and middle-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa, the high prevalence of comorbidities and limited healthcare system capacity, evidence-based interventions that reduce the risk of severe disease and death should be considered for implementation. Several antiviral classes...
Source: South African Medical Journal - March 25, 2024 Category: African Health Authors: R Perumal V Naidoo S Govender T N Gengiah Source Type: research
Wrong-route drug administration errors: A review of the literature
S Afr Med J. 2023 Dec 4;113(12):29. doi: 10.7196/SAMJ.2023.v113i12.1043.ABSTRACTOral drug formulations and enteral feeds may inadvertently be administered intravenously. Intravenous medications may be inadvertently administered intra-arterially. These examples of wrong-route drug administration errors have the potential to cause significant organ dysfunction and even death. This narrative review aims to explore the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying such errors and investigate preventive strategies and potential therapeutic options.PMID:38525634 | DOI:10.7196/SAMJ.2023.v113i12.1043 (Source: South African Medical Journal)
Source: South African Medical Journal - March 25, 2024 Category: African Health Authors: J Taylor M Blockman Source Type: research
Prescribed Minimum Benefits complaints: a five-year retrospective review
CONCLUSION: Chronic conditions are the main diseases that medical scheme members complained about. Member education and clear definition of PMBs should be prioritised by medical schemes and the Council for Medical Schemes.PMID:38525635 (Source: South African Medical Journal)
Source: South African Medical Journal - March 25, 2024 Category: African Health Authors: Lindelwa Mitchele Ngobeni Lucky Moropeng Evelyn Thsehla Source Type: research
An outbreak within an outbreak: The impact of Infection Prevention and Control strategies on hospital-acquired infections and the occurrence of multi-drug resistant organisms during the COVID-19 pandemic
CONCLUSION: We observed a very significant rise in HAIs in the COVID-19 ICU during the third wave compared with the first, with almost three times as many patients developing HAIs. Unsurprisingly, it was associated with a longer mean stay in ICU and a higher mortality. The outbreak of both CRE and A. baumannii, and the fact that many patients cultured the same CRE organism and A. baumannii, strongly suggests that a critical breakdown in IPC measures had occurred.PMID:38525636 | DOI:10.7196/SAMJ.2023.v113i12.971 (Source: South African Medical Journal)
Source: South African Medical Journal - March 25, 2024 Category: African Health Authors: B Mashigo A Parker U Lalla B W Allwood M S Moolla T Lovelock C F N Koegelenberg Source Type: research
Progress towards 90-90-90 and 95-95-95 strategy implementations and HIV positivity trends in the City of Johannesburg
CONCLUSION: This study has established positive progress made by the CoJ towards HIV testing, ART initiation, viral load suppression and HIV positivity rate. On the other hand, gaps in linkage to care after testing positive have been highlighted. It is therefore critical in the 95-95-95 strategy implementation era to focus on finding those missed during the 90-90-90 phase through revised and renewed innovative approaches.PMID:38525637 | DOI:10.7196/SAMJ.2024.v114i1.862 (Source: South African Medical Journal)
Source: South African Medical Journal - March 25, 2024 Category: African Health Authors: J C Y Nyasulu I Maposa Source Type: research
Trisomy 21 screening with αlpha software and the Fetal Medicine Foundation algorithm
CONCLUSION: Screening with FMF software has a similar screen positive rate and better detection rate than screening with αlpha software. The low prenatal detection rate of trisomy 21 is mainly due to a low prevalence of screening. More research is needed in the SA setting to explore why screening and confirmatory testing after high-risk results are not performed in many pregnancies.PMID:38525638 | DOI:10.7196/SAMJ.2023.v113i11.885 (Source: South African Medical Journal)
Source: South African Medical Journal - March 25, 2024 Category: African Health Authors: L Pistorius C A Cluver I Bhorat L Geerts Source Type: research
Biliary atresia: The profile, management and outcome of patients treated at a tertiary hospital in central South Africa
CONCLUSION: Late presentation, cholangitis and cessation of bile flow after an initial successful KPE, and socioeconomic challenges are issues of concern and had a detrimental influence on the outcome of BA in our study population. Implementing screening measures and education programmes at the primary healthcare level is essential to diagnose and refer BA patients timeously. Establishing support systems to assist socioeconomically disadvantaged patients will enable them to qualify for LT.PMID:38525639 | DOI:10.7196/SAMJ.2023.v113i11.845 (Source: South African Medical Journal)
Source: South African Medical Journal - March 25, 2024 Category: African Health Authors: E Brits S M Le Grange Source Type: research
LSD and psilocybin for chronic nociplastic pain: A narrative review of the literature supporting the use of classic psychedelic agents in chronic pain
S Afr Med J. 2023 Nov 6;113(11):22-26. doi: 10.7196/SAMJ.2023.v113i11.814.ABSTRACTHealthcare providers face the challenging task of managing patients who suffer from chronic nociplastic pain conditions. Pain is a multidimensional experience, and the current approach to managing people in chronic pain often fails to meet the needs of these patients. Novel ways of treating people who suffer from chronic nociplastic pain with classic psychedelic agents may offer a new lens through which to approach their pain. Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin are both serotonergic agents with a long history of use in treating p...
Source: South African Medical Journal - March 25, 2024 Category: African Health Authors: J Van Der Walt R Parker Source Type: research
Evaluation of the impact of PEPFAR transition on retention in care in South Africa's Western Cape Province
CONCLUSION: When PEPFAR funding decreased in 2012, there was a decrease in RIC. To ensure the continuity of HIV care when a major funder withdraws sufficient and stable transition resources, investment in organisations that understand the local context, joint planning and co-ordination are required.PMID:38525641 | DOI:10.7196/SAMJ.2024.v114i1.810 (Source: South African Medical Journal)
Source: South African Medical Journal - March 25, 2024 Category: African Health Authors: J Chiliza R Laing F G Feeley A T Brennan Source Type: research
Treating drug-resistant tuberculosis in an era of shorter regimens: Insights from rural South Africa
CONCLUSION: In a rural context, treating DR-TB amid limited resources and a high burden of HIV co-infection, we found that after considering controls, a short regimen was no different to a longer regimen in terms of success or mortality. Therefore, by alleviating burdens on multiple stakeholders, a short regimen is likely to be favourable for rural patients, clinicians, and healthcare systems. Besides other previously described correlates of outcomes, HIV viraemia emerged as a novel marker for reliably predicting poor outcomes in DR-TB with HIV co-infection, and a pragmatic target for intervention.PMID:38525642 | DOI:10.71...
Source: South African Medical Journal - March 25, 2024 Category: African Health Authors: J-D K Lotz J Porter H Conradie T Boyles B Gaunt S Dimanda D Cort Source Type: research
Guidance for the gastrointestinal evaluation and management of iron deficiency in Sub-Saharan Africa
CONCLUSION: The recommendations incorporate six areas, namely: general recommendations and practice, Helicobacter pylori, coeliac disease, suspected small bowel bleeding, inflammatory bowel disease, and preoperative care. Implementation of the recommendations is aimed at various levels from individual practitioners to healthcare institutions, departments and regional, district, provincial and national platforms. It is intended that the recommendations spur the development of centre-specific guidelines and that they are integrated with the relevant patient blood management protocols. Integration of the recommendations is in...
Source: South African Medical Journal - March 25, 2024 Category: African Health Authors: W M Simmonds Y Awuku C Barrett M Brand K Davidson D Epstein E Fredericks S Gabriel S Grobler C Gounden L Katsidzira V J Louw V Naidoo C Noel E Ogutu N Ramonate N Seabi M Setshedi J Van Zyl G Watermeyer C Kassianides Source Type: research
