Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Clinical Phenotype Of Motor Neurone Disease In A Kenyan Hospital – Based Population, Effie Nailah Kamadi

Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine

Introduction: Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a rare, disabling and incurable illness marked by relentless degeneration of motor neurons with loss of voluntary motor function and eventual death. In the West, patient demographics and clinical characteristics are well documented. Available African research is mostly for North, West and South Africa with a knowledge gap existing on the East African illness. This study characterized MND phenotype in a Kenyan population.

Objectives: To describe the clinical phenotype and outcomes of MND in a Kenyan hospital-based population.

Methods: The medical charts of all adult MND patients assessed at AKUHN between …

Detection Rate And Patterns Of Biochemical Recurrence Of Prostate Cancer Using 18f-Psma-1007 Pet/Ct At A Tertiary Teaching Hospital In Sub-Saharan Africa., Lynet Wairimu Barasa

Master of Medicine in Imaging and Diagnostic Radiology

Background: Rising PSA levels following local therapy with curative intent are seen in about one third of men previously treated for prostate cancer, indicative of disease recurrence. This is usually not detectable through imaging modalities like computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Several studies show high detection rates of recurrence with 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT, one of the novel PET imaging modalities for prostate cancer. No studies, however, have been done to show the patterns of recurrence in the Sub-Saharan African population in whom prostate cancer is known to occur earlier and be more aggressive. Biochemical recurrence almost always …

Comparison Of Positivity Rate Of Dual Phase Sestamibi Versus Dual Tracer Pertechnetate/Sestamibi In Identification Of Parathyroid Adenomas., Naomi Chirindo Chikuro

Master of Medicine in Imaging and Diagnostic Radiology

Background 

Parathyroid adenomas are the commonest cause of primary hyperparathyroidism. The primary mode of treatment is surgical excision which can only be achieved with pre surgical localization of adenomas. Ultrasound, CT and MRI can be used but the most sensitive and specific imaging modality is parathyroid scintigraphy with use of Sestamibi labelled with technetium 99 metastable radionuclide. A few studies have been done comparing dual phase, dual tracer and combined dual phase/tracer protocols with an apparent lack of consensus on which is superior.

Objectives

This study aimed to compare the positivity rates of the mentioned parathyroid scintigraphy protocols and identify …

The Prevalence And The Predictors Of Diabetes Distress In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Attending Diabetes Clinics At A Tertiary Private Hospital In Nairobi, Kenya., Soulthy Azamkhan Mohamed

Master of Medicine in Family Medicine

Background Diabetes distress encompasses a spectrum of emotional and psychological challenges faced by individuals managing diabetes, including anxiety, stress, depression, frustration, and feelings of helplessness. This distress arises from the constant demands of monitoring blood sugar levels, managing medications, adhering to dietary restrictions, engaging in regular physical activity, and navigating potential complications. Social and emotional factors such as stigma, discrimination, and concerns about future health further contribute to this burden. Factors like fear of hypoglycemia, financial strain, fluctuating blood sugar levels, anxiety about complications, and impacts on personal relationships exacerbate diabetes distress. Left unaddressed, diabetes distress can lead to poor …

Comparison Of The Use Of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange To Intravenous Immunoglobulin For Autoimmune Neurological Conditions At A Tertiary Hospital In Kenya., Swafiya Salim Busaidy

Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine

Background 

Plasma exchange (Barth et al.) and Intravenous Immunoglobulin (Barth et al.) have emerged as favored therapeutic options for autoimmune neurological conditions. Neurological conditions cause high morbidity and mortality in the sub-Saharan region. The utilization of these treatment options in Sub-Saharan Africa remains relatively unknown. We can determine the most efficient treatments with minimal cost implications by comparing the two treatment modalities in our setup.

Methods 

This retrospective descriptive chart review took place at Aga Khan University Hospital. It encompassed all patients admitted between 1st January 2011 and 31st December 2023 who had a neurological condition that necessitated treatment with …

Diagnostic Accuracy Of 18f-Fdg Pet-Ct Compared To Ultrasound In Identification Of Metastatic Axillary Lymph Nodes In Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Patients., Sarah Muthii Kibe

Master of Medicine in Imaging and Diagnostic Radiology

Background: Determination of axillary lymph node metastasis is a crucial part of breast cancer staging as it is the most important marker of overall recurrence and survival. Although axillary ultrasound (AUS) is the imaging reference standard, it has a wide range of sensitivity necessitating evaluation of other imaging modalities that may be used as adjuncts.18F-FDG PET-CT is recommended for use in metastatic and recurrent breast cancer with infrequent use in early disease due to its low spatial resolution for small axillary lymph nodes. The aim of this it study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of axillary ultrasound compared …

Dementia In A Resource-Constrained Sub-Saharan African Setting: A Comprehensive Retrospective Analysis Of Prevalence, Risk Factors, And Management At The Only Neuropsychiatric Facility In Northeastern Nigeria, Ibrahim Abdu Wakawa, Umar Baba Musami, Suleiman Hamidu Kwairanga, Placidus Nwankuba Ogualili, Mohammed Yusuf Mahmood, Muhammad Abba Fugu, Mohammed Mala Gimba, Muktar Mohammed Allamin, Zaharadeen Umar Abbas, Chinedu Momoh

Brain and Mind Institute

INTRODUCTION: Dementia prevalence is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa, poten-tially due to population growth and aging. Resource-constrained settings such asNortheastern Nigeria face challenges in dementia management.

METHODS: We assessed dementia burden and management at the Federal Neuropsy-chiatric Hospital Maiduguri, the only neuropsychiatric facility in Northeastern Nigeria.This retrospective analysis included patient records from 1999 to 2023 for individuals60 year of age and older with a dementia diagnosis.

RESULTS: Of the 1216 cases reported, Alzheimer’s disease (60.5%) was the mostcommon subtype, followed by vascular dementia (24.5%). Hypertension (41.6%) wasthe most frequent comorbidity. Memory loss was present in all cases, whereasbehavioral …

Substance Use Among Healthcare Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Study In Kenya, Jasmit Shah, Cynthia Smith, Cyprian Mostert, Linda Khakali, Zul Merali, Sayed Karar

Brain and Mind Institute

Substance use among healthcare professionals, including alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, benzodiazepines etc., is a rising concern. The immensity of substance use is not yet clear, though recently, studies conducted on medical students and physician trainees show that 10% to 15% of all healthcare professionals misuse drugs at some point in their career, and that 6% to 8% of physicians have a substance use disorder. Substance use has a direct impact on relationships, physical health, and job performance, and is associated with depression, burnout, and decreased career satisfaction. The aim of this study was to shed light on the prevalence of substance …

It Takes A Village: Using Photovoice To Inform Community Interventions For Youth Mental Health, Ayesha Anwer, Autumn Kieber-Emmons Md, Mph, Nicole M. Burgess

USF-LVHN SELECT

No abstract provided.

The Fetal Pillow—A Retrospective Analysis Of Use And Complications In The Lehigh Valley Health, Janae Cornwall, Susan Angelisanti Md

USF-LVHN SELECT

No abstract provided.

Variations In Lag3 Expression Levels Associated With Oncogene Amplification And An Immunologically Cold Status, Toriana R Dabkowski, Sunny Kahlon, George Blanck

USF-LVHN SELECT

No abstract provided.

Monitoring Postoperative Weight Changes Following Reduction Mammoplasty In Adolescents, William Nick Doyle Bs, Aaron Jacobs, Shae Duka Mph, Randolph Wojcik Md, Robert X. Murphy Jr, Md, Ms, Marshall G. Miles Do

USF-LVHN SELECT

No abstract provided.

Impacting Cervical Cancer Disparities In Hispanic Women In The Lehigh Valley Project: Lvhn Family Medicine Resident Roundtable Feedback, Su Bin Hahn, Araceli Inga, Nicole M. Burgess, Autumn Kieber-Emmons Md, Mph

USF-LVHN SELECT

No abstract provided.

Treatment Strategy For Incarcerated Ventral And Incisional Hernia, Angie S. Kim, Miname Watanabe Md, Anh Thu Hoang Do, Berwin Yuan Md, A Nguyen, R Lipscomb, Mark Cipolle Md

USF-LVHN SELECT

No abstract provided.

Assessing The Use Of Motivational Interviewing And Appreciative Inquiry For Hypertension Control In Vulnerable Populations, Anjali Mahapatra, Orlando J. Penaloza Md, Facp, Shanestka Menendez, Jorge Martinez

USF-LVHN SELECT

No abstract provided.

Evaluate Provider Comfort And Patients’ Experience Around Sexual Health Concerns, Meera Nagpal, Kristin Friel Md

USF-LVHN SELECT

No abstract provided.

Deciphering The Underlying Etiology Of Erythroderma, William Nguyen, Yanzhen Pang, Lauren P. Chrisman, Spencer Evams, Ziyou Ren, Kurt Lu, Joan Guitart, Michael B. Burns, Xiaolong Zhou

USF-LVHN SELECT

No abstract provided.

Identifying Barriers & Increasing Medicine Reconciliation Completion Rates At Lvhn, Aishwarya Pattnaik, Shadi Jarjous Md, Jorden Barrow, Patrick Roman, Cara Sherman Do, Aubrey Clark Do, Kathleen Bridges Do, Abdul Hasseb Md, Monay Mahmoud Md, Courtney Moore Md, Shuisen Li Do, Satinder Singh

USF-LVHN SELECT

No abstract provided.

The Narcan Project: Impact Of Opioid Overdose Response Training On Medical Students’ Knowledge And Confidence, Putt Vithayaveroj, Emily Luo, Rithvic Jupudi, Nishanth Chalasani, Nathan Einhorn, Rebecca Lipscomb, Jennifer Costa

USF-LVHN SELECT

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Rural Versus Urban Residence On Perioperative Outcomes After Robotic Assisted Pulmonary Lobectomy: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Ajay Varadhan, Rahul Mhaskar, Maykel Dolorit, Gregory Fishberger, Collin Chase, Sarah Cool, Jessica Cobb, Harrison Strang, Emily Weeden, Diep Nguyen, Joseph Garrett, Carla C. Moodie, Jacques Fontaine, Jenna Tew, Jonelle Baldonado, Eric Toloza

USF-LVHN SELECT

No abstract provided.

Efficacy Of A Skin Cancer Education Program Among Beauty School Students, Nicole Natarelli, Kate Beekman, Helana Ghali, Shaliz Aflatooni, Nirav Shah

USF-LVHN SELECT

No abstract provided.

Causes For Delays In Spine Fracture Operative Management, Sara Safari, Joseph J. Stirparo Md

USF-LVHN SELECT

No abstract provided.

Assessing Healthcare Insurance Policies In Mississippi: An Evaluation Of Public And Private Options, Latarsha H. Michael, Brieah D. Hudson

The Journal of the Research Association of Minority Professors

Medicaid is the main payer for maternity care in the U.S., covering nearly half of all births. Federal law provides postpartum coverage for 60 days, but gaps exist, especially in non-expansion states. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 allows states to extend Medicaid postpartum coverage to 12 months. Mississippi, where Medicaid covers 65% of births, faces severe maternal and infant health challenges. Despite its surplus, extending postpartum care to 12 months could cost $7 million annually. This study examines private and public health insurance coverage for perinatal care in Mississippi. This involves analyzing how different insurance policies address the …

Detection Of Chromosomal Mosaicism- The Importance Of Karyotyping And Fish, Allison Kalinousky, Jennifer Roberts, Madeeha Alikhan, John Herriges, Lei Zhang, Elena Repnikova

Posters

Introduction: The use of whole-exome/whole-genome sequencing for the detection of sequence-level variants and copy number variations (CNV) is increasingly being adopted as a primary testing method for genetic disease diagnosis by many institutions. Additionally, long-read sequencing is a promising technique to capture not only sequence level variants and CNVs but also structural chromosomal abnormalities. Significant progress has been achieved in this field; however, the detection of chromosomal mosaicism, including numerical gains and losses, rings, markers, and structural rearrangements – particularly those that are lineage-specific or exist at low levels – might still pose challenges with these emerging technologies. Furthermore, differentiating …

Retreatability Of Bioceramic And Resin-Based Root Canal Sealers Using Xp Shaper Rise: An In Vitro Study, Shehabeldin Mohamed Saber Prof.Dr.

Dentistry

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate in-vitro the retreatability of premixed calcium-silicate-based sealer versus resinbased

sealer when combined with gutta-percha using the single-file system XP-endo Rise.

Materials and methods: 26 canals in typodont acrylic Nissin teeth were instrumented with E-flex blue rotary instruments up to

size 0.35mm and taper of 4%. Root canals were divided into two groups, obturated using either hydraulic condensation technique

with a bioceramic sealer (n=13) or continuous wave of compaction (CWC) technique with a resin-based sealer (n=13). The

retreatment procedure was done for both groups using the XP-endo Rise instruments. The time required …

March 2025, Swosu Rural Health Center

RURAL ROCKS

This is the March 2025 issue of Rural Rocks from the SWOSU College of Pharmacy.

Artificial Intelligence In Surgical Coding: Evaluating Large Language Models For Current Procedural Terminology Accuracy In Hand Surgery, Emily Isch, Jamie Lee, D. Mitchell Self, Abhijeet Sambangi, Theodore E. Habarth-Morales, John R. Vaile, E. J. Caterson

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

PURPOSE: The advent of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT has introduced notable advancements in various surgical disciplines. These developments have led to an increased interest in the use of LLMs for Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding in surgery. With CPT coding being a complex and time-consuming process, often exacerbated by the scarcity of professional coders, there is a pressing need for innovative solutions to enhance coding efficiency and accuracy.

METHODS: This observational study evaluated the effectiveness of five publicly available large language models-Perplexity.AI, Bard, BingAI, ChatGPT 3.5, and ChatGPT 4.0-in accurately identifying CPT codes for hand surgery procedures. A …

Reimagining Stuttering Therapy And Outcomes Through An Acceptance And Collaborative Lens, Farzan Irani, Michael Azios, Michael Boyle, Geoffrey A. Coalson, Scott Palasik, Jack Rodriguez, Eric Swartz

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

The purpose of this paper is to summarize a panel discussion at the 2024 World Stuttering and Cluttering Organization Congress that aimed to explore and reflect on the shifting landscape of stuttering therapy across the lifespan. The panel comprised of speech-language pathologists who have experience in stuttering therapy as clients, professionals, and researchers. The panel members reflect on the research, their professional experiences, and their own personal journey toward a more acceptance-based therapy and its outcomes. The paper concludes with the panel's reflections on the future of stuttering therapy across the lifespan.

Predictors Of Mortality In Adults With Calcium Channel Blocker Toxicity Receiving Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support: An Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Registry Analysis, Rakeshkumar Subramanian, Amelia Roebuck, Hariom Joshi, Michelle Drouin

Hospital Medicine

Calcium channel blocker (CCB) toxicity presents a significant mortality risk, highlighting the need for effective treatment strategies such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). This study analyzes Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) registry data to determine the mortality rate in adults treated with ECMO for CCB toxicity and identifies clinical predictors of mortality. A retrospective analysis of the ELSO registry from January 2016 to April 2023 was conducted, focusing on adults diagnosed with CCB toxicity (ICD-10 T46.1) who received ECMO. Data collected included patient demographics, ECMO details (mode, duration, type), pre-ECMO clinical indicators (pH, lactate levels, cardiac arrest incidence), and in-hospital …

Evaluating Dysphagia Duration And Severity After Acdf In Patients With Underlying Dysphagia - A Prospective, Multicenter Study, Aditya Mazmudar, Taylor Paziuk, Khoa Tran, Tyler Henry, Samuel Oh, Caroline Purtill, Daniel Habbal, Goutham Yalla, Quinlin Harrill, Brandon Sherrod, Erica Bisson, Darrel Brodke, Christopher Kepler, Gregory Schroeder, Alex Vaccaro, Alan Hilibrand, Jeffrey Rihn

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the impact of preoperative dysphagia on the postoperative incidence and severity of dysphagia in patients undergoing ACDF at multiple institutions.

METHODS: After IRB approval, patients over 18 years of age who underwent an elective ACDF for degenerative conditions were prospectively enrolled at two academic centers from 2018 to 2021. Preoperative dysphagia was self-reported by patients through a pre-operative questionnaire on a binary basis. Patients completed dysphagia surveys (Bazaz, Dysphagia Short Questionnaire, 10-item Eating Assessment Tool) to assess dysphagia severity during their preoperative visit, and these …