{"title":"Biliary atresia: The profile, management and outcome of patients treated at a tertiary hospital in central South Africa","authors":"E Brits, S M Le Grange","doi":"10.7196/samj.2023.v113i11.845","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7196/samj.2023.v113i11.845","url":null,"abstract":"Background. Biliary atresia (BA) is an obstructive inflammatory disease of the bile ducts. Without intervention, the disease rapidly progresses to liver cirrhosis and fibrosis, with end-stage liver failure and death occurring within the first 3 years of life. It is the most common indication for liver transplantation (LT) in the paediatric population. The management of BA in South Africa (SA) faces multiple challenges, such as late referrals and socioeconomic burdens, with suboptimal outcomes. Objectives. To determine risk factors and shortcomings that are detrimental to the outcome of the paediatric patient population by reviewing the profile, management and outcome of patients with BA treated at Universitas Academic Hospital Complex (UAHC), Bloemfontein, SA. Methods. This was a retrospective analytical record review of all patients diagnosed with BA and treated at UAHC from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2019. Results. In total, 67 patients were included; 74.6% were female, and 86.6% were black Africans. Most (62.7%) had isolated BA. A Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE) was performed in 32 patients (47.8%). Of 5 patients referred for LT evaluation, 2 received a transplant. Of 55 patients with known outcomes, 5.5% (n=3) survived and 94.5% (n=52) died after receiving a KPE or palliative treatment. Of the 3 patients who were alive at the end of the study period, 1 had a KPE and 2 had LTs. 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.","PeriodicalId":22034,"journal":{"name":"South African Medical Journal","volume":"27 3","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135679470","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Dyslipidaemia in patients with chronic kidney disease – a neglected cardiovascular risk factor","authors":"M R Essop, F Seedat, F J Raal","doi":"10.7196/samj.2023.v113i11.1089","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7196/samj.2023.v113i11.1089","url":null,"abstract":"Background. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In addition, CKD itself is a coronary artery disease equivalent due to its atherogenic potential. Despite the role of CKD in ASCVD and recommendations to control lipid levels aggressively, landmark lipid studies have often excluded patients with advanced CKD. Furthermore, there is a scarcity of data on the use and efficacy of lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) in those with CKD in South Africa (SA). Objectives. To determine the prevalence and control of dyslipidaemia in a cohort of SA patients with CKD. Methods. A retrospective, cross-sectional observational study of 250 patients with CKD attending the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital renal clinic from 1 July 2019 to 31 July 2020 was carried out. Lipograms, the use of LLT and achievement of target lipid levels were examined. Results. The median (interquartile range) age of this cohort was 58 (46 - 69) years; 50.4% were males and 64.4% black African. Dyslipidaemia was prevalent in 83.6% (n=209) of patients. A total of 169 (67.6%) patients were on LLT, and of these only 28 (16.6%) achieved the recommended low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) target. Of those not on LLT, 51 (63%) were eligible for LLT and almost all were classified as either very high risk (64.2%) or high risk (28.4%) for ASCVD. Of those on LLT, all were on statin therapy, of which simvastatin at a mean dose of 20 mg daily was the most commonly prescribed LLT. 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.","PeriodicalId":22034,"journal":{"name":"South African Medical Journal","volume":"31 6","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135679602","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Gita Ramjee","authors":"H. M. Coovadia","doi":"10.7196/samj.2020.v110i5.14805","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7196/samj.2020.v110i5.14805","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":22034,"journal":{"name":"South African Medical Journal","volume":"26 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141209543","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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