SummaryBackgroundSickle cell anaemia (SCA) is associated with structural manifestations in the hepatobiliary axis. This study aimed to investigate the hepatobiliary ultrasonographic abnormalities in adult patients with sickle cell anaemia in steady state attending the Haematology clinic of a federal tertiary health institution in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.Material/MethodsBasic demographic data as well as right upper abdominal quadrant ultrasonography of 50 consecutive sickle cell anaemia patients were compared with those of 50 age- and sex-matched subjects with HbAA as controls.ResultsEach of the study groups (patients and controls) comprised of 21 (42%) males and 29 (58%) females. The age range of the patients was 18–45 years with a mean (±SD) of 27.6±7.607 years, while that of the controls was 21–43 years with a mean (±SD) of 28.0±5.079 years (p=0.746). Amongst the patients, 32 (64%) had hepatomegaly, 15 (30%) cholelithiasis and 3 (6%) biliary sludge. Fourteen (28%) of the patients had normal hepatobiliary ultrasound findings. In the control group, one (2%) person had cholelithiasis, one (2%) biliary sludge, one (2%) fatty liver and none hepatomegaly. Forty-seven (94%) of the controls had normal hepatobiliary ultrasound findings. There was a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of hepatomegaly and cholelithiasis between the patients and controls (p value <0.001 for both comparisons).ConclusionsIn this study, hepatomegaly, cholelithiasis and biliary sludge were the most common hepatobiliary ultrasound findings in patients with sickle cell anaemia. Ultrasonography is a useful tool for assessing hepatobiliary abnormalities in patients with sickle cell anaemia.

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Background: Hepatitis B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and together constitute the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer with attendant mortality. Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infection among different categories of health-care workers, looking at the exposure to patients' samples and the prevalence rate among these categories of health workers. This will help to ascertain the risk and the need to pay more attention to preventive measures. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted over a 2-year period among 217 health-care workers at the department of Haematology of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Nigeria. Respondents were randomly selected, and blood samples were taken for the hepatitis B and C screening. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20; bivariate analyses were done, and the level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: A total of 13 (6.0%) tested positive for HBsAg. Analysis of the marital status of those that tested positive to Hepatitis B, revealed that the highest number (77%) was found among the married, while the singles and the divorced constitute 15.3% and 7.7% respectively. The nurses and nonhealth professionals (admin staff) constitute the highest positive yield of hepatitis B virus (HBV), followed by medical doctors and laboratory staff. The age of the respondent was found to have a statistically significant association with HBV serology ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: There is a comparatively lower prevalence of HBsAg among the health-care workers who are directly exposed to patients' samples. The age of the respondent has a significant association with hepatitis B infection.

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those of 50 age-and sex-matched subjects with HbAA as controls. RESULTS: Each of the study groups (patients and controls) comprised of 21 (42%) males and 29 (58%) females. The age range of the patients was 18-45years with a mean (± SD) of 27.6 ± 7.607 while that of the controls was 21-43years with a mean (± SD) of 28.0 ± 5.079 (p = 0.746). Amongst the patients, 32 (64%) had hepatomegaly while 18 (36%) had normal liver ultrasound findings. In the control group, 1(2%) had fatty liver but none had hepatomegaly. Forty-nine (98%) of the controls had normal liver ultrasound findings. There was a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of hepatomegaly between the patients and controls with p value < 0.001. Twenty-four (48%) of the patients were in CTP class A; 7 (29.2%) males and 17 (70.8%) females, while the remaining 26 (52%) patients were in CTP class B; 14 (53.8%) males and 12 (46.2%) females. None of the patients was in CTP class C. CONCLUSION: In this study, hepatomegaly was a common ultrasound finding in patients with sickle cell anemia. It is essential to assess for evidence of liver disease in patients with sickle cell anemia even when they are not yet symptomatic. ABSTRACT AIM: Chronic liver disease encompasses a range of hepatic pathology arising from a wide variety of insults to the liver which can occur in patients with sickle cell anemia. This study is aimed to investigate the state of chronic liver disease among adult patients with sickle cell anemia in steady state attending the hematology clinic of a federal tertiary health institution in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. METHODS: Basic demographic data, liver ultrasound scan as well as liver function test and Child-Turcotte-Pugh class of 50 consecutive sickle cell anemia (HbSS) patients were compared with

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Background: Globally, gastrointestinal medical conditions are common and a considerable number of patients will require specialist consultation for the diagnosis, management and follow-up care. Aim: To determine the spectrum of disease conditions seen at the Gastroenterology clinic of Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti in south-western Nigeria. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of all patients who attended the Gastroenterology clinic between January 2015 and December 2019 (a period of 5 years). The Age, Gender and Diagnosis were obtained from the Clinic Register. A total of 679 patients attended the clinic over the period and they were all recruited into the study. The data obtained was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. Descriptive statistics used included frequency tables, means and standard deviations. Results: A total number of 679 patients attended the Gastroenterology clinic during the period under review out of which 353 (52.0%) were males and 326 (48.0%) were females with a male to female ratio of 1.08 to 1. The age range of the patients was 10 to 93 years with a mean (±SD) of 43.8 (±16.32) and median of 40.0 years. The commonest medical condition seen at our clinic was Chronic Hepatitis B viral infection (38.1%), followed by Acid Peptic Disorders (27.0%), Liver cirrhosis (5.2%), Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (5.0%) and Hepatocellular carcinoma (4.1%). Hepatocellular carcinoma was the commonest malignancy seen at our clinic followed by Gastric cancer (2.5%), Colorectal cancer (1.9%) and Cholangiocarcinoma (0.7%). Pancreatic cancer and Oesophageal cancer were seen at our clinic at the same frequency (0.6% each). Primary Biliary Cirrhosis, Achalasia and Irritable Bowel Syndrome were the least frequently seen (0.1% each) medical conditions at our clinic. Acute Hepatitis B viral infection constituted 2.9% while Chronic Hepatitis C viral infection constituted 2.4% of the cases seen. The other medical conditions seen at our clinic include Alcoholic Liver Disease (2.4%), Abdominal Tuberculosis (0.7%), Toxin-induced Hepatitis (0.6%), Haemorrhoids (0.6%), Ulcerative Colitis (0.4%) and Diverticular Disease (0.3%). Conclusion: The commonest medical condition seen at our Gastroenterology clinic was Chronic Hepatitis B virus infection followed by Acid Peptic Disorders both of which are largely preventable and the commonest malignancy seen at our clinic was Hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatitis B virus infection is highly prevalent in our environment and it is a risk factor for chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Efforts must be enhanced by all stakeholders to curb the spread of this virus and thereby limit its sequelae.

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