Asian Pacific Journal of Health Sciences

Clinical Courses and Outcomes of COVID-19 in Patients Undergoing Chronic Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis in Northeast Thailand

2024-05-30T04:52:00+00:00

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is one of the risk factors for infection, morbidity, and mortality in SARS-CoV-2. This study was aimed to evaluate the prevalence, clinical courses, and outcomes of patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD). Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of ESRD patients admitted to Sakon Nakhon Hospital between October 2020 and September 2022. Data were analyzed for the incidence, demographic characteristics, clinical outcomes, laboratory tests, and mortality rates of the HD and PD patients who tested positive for COVID-19. Results: There were 73 ESRD patients (mean age 58.7 years, male 50.7%), who were positive for COVID-19 infection, of which 76.7% were on HD and 23.3% in the PD program. Hypertension (89.0%) and diabetes (54.8%) were more frequent comorbid conditions. Compared to the route of transmission, the HD group was more from hospital transmission (P = 0.03), while home transmission was more common in the PD group (P = 0.003). Serum potassium (P = 0.008) and albumin (P = 0.0005) were more in HD than PD, but bicarbonate (P = 0.01) was less. There was no significant in severity (P = 0.88) and mortality (P = 0.55) between both groups. Seven (9.6%) patients died. Risk factors compared between survivor and non-survivor groups significantly were serum albumin <3.5 g/dL (P = 0.008) and vaccination <2 shots (P = 0.04). Risk factor associated mortality in COVID-19 patients ongoing dialysis was low serum albumin <3.5 g/dL ([OR] 11.22, 95%, [CI] 1.27–98.91, P = 0.029). Conclusion: ESRD patients undergoing HD or PD were susceptible to COVID-19 infection. A comparison between the standard deviation and PD was found, but there was no significant difference in the clinical course and outcome of treatment in both groups.

Exploring the Prevalence and Sociodemographic Correlates of Oppositional Defiant Disorder among Junior Secondary School Students in Ilorin

2024-05-30T04:41:28+00:00

Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a recognized behavioral disorder that often emerges during childhood and adolescence. This study investigates the prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of ODD among junior secondary school (JSS) students in Ilorin, Nigeria. It examines the sociodemographic characteristics of the student population, including age, gender, family peculiarities, and school type, to gain insights into the prevalence of ODD within this context. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional school-based study in Ilorin, Nigeria, included 1078 junior secondary students. Sampling was done through multi-stage probability random sampling, and ethical approvals were obtained. Students aged 9–18 years were included, excluding those with prior behavioral or neuropsychiatric disorders, neurological sequelae of a previous disease, sensory deficits, or chronic medical conditions affecting school attendance. Parental consent, assent, the study pro forma, and parent and teacher rating scales of the Vanderbilt ADHD rating scale for ODD and conduct disorder were part of the recruitment process. After analyzing 1078 screening questionnaires, 211 students met ODD criteria, leading to diagnostic interviews, which identified 41 ODD cases. Results: The study uncovers a notable 3.8% prevalence rate of ODD among JSS students, with a male pre-dominance (5.5%) compared to females (2.1%). Age, social class, family dynamics, and school environment are explored as potential correlates, with gender emerging as a significant predictor of ODD. The analysis highlights the multifaceted nature of ODD prevalence and its sociodemographic influences. Conclusion: This research underscores the importance of tailored interventions, emphasizing gender-specific considerations in addressing ODD among JSS students in Ilorin. It calls for nuanced strategies that account for the diverse socio-demographic landscape of this student population, aiming to enhance prevention and management strategies for this disorder.

Lipid Profile and Some Parameters of Lipid Peroxidation in Pregnancy Trimesters

2024-06-01T14:29:20+00:00

Pregnancy is known to create profound metabolic, hormonal, and physiological changes in the body. Lipid profile and some parameters associated with lipid peroxidation play crucial roles in the sustenance of pregnancy and delivery. The biochemical changes resulting from pregnancy could be physiological or pathological depending on the parameter’s concentration and other ancillary considerations. This study was therefore intended to evaluate lipid profiles and lipid peroxidation parameters in the three trimesters of pregnancy. The study population comprised one hundred women equally divided into pregnant and non-pregnant groups. One half made up of 50 pregnant women was monitored from the first to third trimester of pregnancy while the other half of 50 non-pregnant women were controls. Blood samples were collected into plain tubes after an overnight fast by venepuncture and thereafter standard biochemical procedures for lipid profile and lipid peroxidation parameters were done. The result revealed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in serum cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and catalase concentrations, whereas high-density lipoprotein, very LDL, and malondialdehyde exhibited a significant increase (P < 0.05) when compared to the controls and within trimesters multiple comparisons using one-way analysis of variance (post hoc-least significant difference). Conclusively, the alterations in serum lipid profiles and lipid peroxidation parameters are pointers to the predisposition of pregnancy to lipid dysfunction and oxidative stress phenomenon. Hence monitoring of these parameters during pregnancy is apt.