Minoo Sharbafshaaer
Abstract
Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the damage to brain tissue and disruption of the brain function caused by an external mechanical force as evidenced by documented medical records. Objectives: The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of TBI through age-groups, severity, and mechanism of TBI. ...
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Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the damage to brain tissue and disruption of the brain function caused by an external mechanical force as evidenced by documented medical records. Objectives: The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of TBI through age-groups, severity, and mechanism of TBI. Methods: This cross-sectional study contained all TBI patients who were admitted at the main level one trauma center hospital located in southeastern Iran. Results: The number of reported patients was 445 young and old adults with TBI. In total, the mean age of the patients was 32.35 ranging from 17 to >80 years. Of the studied patients 361 (81.1%) were male and 84 (18.9%) were women. The most common principal severity of TBI among patients aged 20–29 years was moderate. This corresponds with the age groups that are known to be at higher risk for three levels of TBI. Car accident multiple trauma and head trauma show severity of TBI in both genders. Conclusion: The research findings determined the lack of ignoring the traffic control system in southeastern Iran that was the main cause of the injury; consequently, the focus of all essentials in traffic management should be considered for this problem. It must be noted that the incidence of TBI is necessary as there remains no cure for mild-to-severe TBI. As the evidence for effectiveness and specific treatment is limited, it must be subjected to demanding research.
Junette Arlette Metogo Mbengono; Joël Noutakdie Tochie; Ferdinand Ndom Ntock; Yves Bertrand Nzoaungo; Stephane Kona; Glwadys Ngono Ateba; Cassandra Tocko; Aminata Colibaly; Gérard Beyiha; Jacqueline Ze Minkande
Abstract
Background: Septic shock (SS) is a health priority in sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is a dearth of data in this regard. Objective: This study aimed to determine the epidemiology, therapeutic patterns, outcome, and challenges in managing SS in a tertiary intensive care unit (ICU) of sub-Saharan Africa. ...
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Background: Septic shock (SS) is a health priority in sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is a dearth of data in this regard. Objective: This study aimed to determine the epidemiology, therapeutic patterns, outcome, and challenges in managing SS in a tertiary intensive care unit (ICU) of sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: The hospital files of 36 consecutive patients admitted to the ICU of the Douala General Hospital (DGH), Cameroon over the year 2018 were reviewed for SS. SS was diagnosed based on Sepsis-3 definition. Demographic and clinical characteristics, treatment details, and outcomes of patients with SS were reviewed. Data was analyzed using the chi-square or Fisher exact tests and Bonferroni correction. Results: SS accounted for 36 (9.4%) ICU admissions. The majority of patients were males (63.9%). The most common site of infection was the lungs. The mean age, average mean arterial pressure (MAP), and mean sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score of patients were 52.9±25.2 years, 52±18 mm Hg, and 9.2 ±2.3, respectively. Noradrenaline was the sole vasopressor used. Therapeutic challenges included the inability to have a specific antibiogram before a mean duration of 7 days. The mortality rate was 39% and associated with age ≤1 year, MAP ≤ 65 mm Hg, Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) ≤8, and mechanical ventilation, which were not attenuated after Bonferroni correction. Conclusion: SS is a frequent cause of ICU admission and is associated with a high mortality rate. SS mortality-related factors can be screened during SS management for more aggressive ICU management geared at preventing death.