Essential hypertension, a non communicable disease, is assuming an epidemic dimension, of the nature of a communicable condition. It, predominantly affects the physical, social and psychological well-being of the middle to elderly age group, with the former incidentally contributing over 50% of Nigeria workforce, hence interfering with the nation's economic well-being . Although few of such studies have been done in this environment, hypertensionhas been variously cited to be commonly associated with psychiatric comorbidity. The aim of this study, therefore, was to determine the pattern and prevalence of psychiatric co-morbidity among subjects with essential hypertension attending the out patient clinic of the University of Port Harcourt Teacing Hospital (UPTH). In this cross-sectional study, following ethical approval from the appropriate committee of the hospital and informed consent from the participants, 360 subjects making up the study group were recruited based on the study's inclusion exclusion criteria, after a Pilot Study (In addition, the hypertensives were screened for HIV infection and also investigated for other chronic medical illnesses). Subjects were further administered with the study's instruments including the socio-demorgraphic questionnaire, GHQ-12 and WHOCIDI. The data were analyzed using the SPSS version 20. Confidence interval was set at 95% while P -value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The study found a 64.4% (n=232) rate of psychiatric comorbidity among the hypertensive patients with depressive illness the highest with 73(29.4%). This was followed by GAD with 16.1%, sexual dysfunction 9.0%, mixed anxiety and depression 7.8%, substance abuse 2.3%, dysthymia 0.3%, while panic without agoraphobia and personality disorders 0.9% each. Severity of hypertension correlated positively with psychiatric comorbidity. The study found that psychiatric comorbidity among the hypertensive patient is common in UPTH. It therefore becomes imperative that the intervention measures for chronic disorders of these natures should include a well planned, elaborate and articulated neuropsychiatric evaluation for an effective and holistic management of these patients.

This is case of cycloserine induced-psychosis in a 22-year old male patient on treatment for multi-drugs resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB) at the Aluu MDRTB centre of UPTH. Tuberculosis is a chronic respiratory infection caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis. Cycloserine is a Category IV antimycobacterial agent used for the treatment of resistant tuberculosis. The overall clinical scenerio forms this case report. The aim of this report was to highlight a case of cycloserine induced-psychosis in a 22-year old male patient on treatment for drug resistant tuberculosis at the Aluu MDRTB centre of UPTH and to further point to the fact that it is reversible. The case report of the patient was retrieved and reviewed together with relevant literatures. A 22-year old male patient who was diagnosed of tuberculosis in December, 2013 andrediagnosed as multidrug resistant tuberculosis about 6 months ago. He was admitted as a referral into the MDRTBcentre at Aluu5 months following the later and commenced on a course of Category IV anti TB regimen including cycloserine at a dose of 75 Omg dly. There was no history of use of psychoactive substances and no family history of mental illnesses. His body weight as at the time of the report was 47 kg. Routine and other investigations including full blood count with differencials, electrolyte, urea and creatinine and urinalysis, thyroid function test done were all within normal ranges. Retroviral screening test was seronegative. Within 1week of commencing the antituberculosis regimen, patient began to manifest a range of psychotic features unusual abnormal behaviours characterized by irrational talks, seeing of strange images unseen by others in clear conscious. After detailed evaluation and with high index of suspicion, a diagnosis of cycloserine-induced psychosis was entertained. The psychiatrist recommended that the cycloerinebe withheld and patient was commenced on low dose atypical antipsychotic agent. Within 48hours, symptoms began to resolve and within 72 hours there was marked improvement particularly in the psychotic symptoms. A good number of medications like cycloserine have been known to induce psychosis. Clinicians should always apply caution particularly in dosage and assess patients fitness for these group of medications. This will help to prevent precipitation of psychiatric adverse symptoms and guarantee the patient optimal care.

Asthmatic disease is a chronic distressing respiratory disease. Many sufferers of asthmatic diseases tend to have co morbid depressive illness of variable severity due to the psychological/emotional burden associated with the disease. There is currently a paucity of data on the exact prevalence of depressive illness associated with patients with Asthma in this environment. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of depressive illness in patients with asthmatic disease attending the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). Consent for the study was obtained from the Ethical Committee of the hospital. Patients for the study were recruited from different departments of the hospital. Asthmatics patients recruited were only those diagnosed by Consultant Physicians in the Departments of study, who have been on treatment for at least a period of 6 months. Also, subjects whose psychiatric illness preceded the asthmatic disease were equally excluded from the study. A socio-demographic questionnaire as well as the Beck's Depressive Inventory (BDI) was used as study instruments. The data obtained were analyzed using the SPSS version 20. Confidence interval was set at 95% and a P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 46 patients were enlisted into the study. Out of the total number of 46 patients, 31(67.4%) of them were found to have depressive illness (56% mild, 29% moderate and 15% had major depressive illness). Five patients representing 10.9% had suicidal ideation and 2(4.3%) had actually attempted at least on two occasions. 65% mostly of the mild depressive illness were not aware of their mental ill-health. Only 9% of those who were aware of their psychiatric condition had sought psychiatric intervention. From the study, the prevalence of depressive illness among asthmatic patients in UPTH is high and many of the patients appear unfortunately not to receive appropriately treatment as diagnosis and referral are still relatively inadequate and imprecise. There is therefore, great need for awareness of the existence of this comorbidity as well as institution of appropriate identification measures and subsequent referral for appropriate treatment. This will undoubtedly improve the management of asthmatics as well as their quality of life.

Background: The rising prevalence and burden of Depression among all age groups including medical students have continued to constitute enormous concern worldwide. Depression has been associated with cognitive impairment and may impair academic performance. Aim: To determine the relationship between depression and academic performance among medical students at the University of Port Harcourt. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study gained ethical approval . Stratified random sampling method was used to select the subjects. A well-structured open ended self-administered socio-demographic questionnaire was administered to the students. The Zung Self Rated Depression Scale was used to assess the depression status of each respondent in conjunction with the Diagnostic Statistical Manual, Version Five (DSM V). The data were analysed using descriptive and analytical methods. Results: The prevalence of depression among the medical students was 5.3%. Fourteen students (4.6%) were mildly depressed while only two respondents had moderate depression. Academic performance was generally poor among the medical students with depressive illness compared to those without depression and was worse with increasing severity of depression(p=0.004). Conclusion: Depression does occur among medical students at the University of Port Harcourt and significantly affects academic performance.