Anayochukwu Edward Anyasodor

Co-morbidity of Diabetes Mellitus and Orodental Diseases in Nigeria

BACKGROUND Although several epidemiological studies have reported an association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and orodental health. However, the occurrence of the co-morbidity of both diseases has been more of suspicion than evidence-based. DM is a serious public health concern globally, and in Nigeria. Studies have separately documented the prevalence of DM and orodental diseases, but data lack to adequately rationalise co-morbidity of both diseases. OBJECTIVE The study aimed to report evidence of co-morbidity of DM and orodental diseases in Nigeria. METHOD Data published between December, 1970 and June, 2015 were used in writing the review. These data were collated from electronic literature archives and databases. RESULT This review suggests evidence of the association of DM and orodental diseases. It revealed that both diseases are densely distributed in South-East, South-South and South-West geopolitical zones of Nigeria, and sparsely spread across other regions of the country. CONCLUSION Co-morbidity of both diseases holds promise that will favour public health practice, especially in Nigeria. It is hoped that the association may lead to the establishment of a cost-effective DM screening protocol in Nigeria. Again, screening of DM in dentistries and vice versa may be possible through the relationship of both diseases. It is recommended that the driving force of the co-morbidity be investigated.

Ethnopharmacological values of cassava and its potential for diabetes and dyslipidaemia management: knowledge survey and critical review of report

Background: Beyond nutritional values are the pharmacological potentials of cassava comparative with other staple carbohydrate plant-based foods such as wheat. The knowledge of applicability to diabetes and its cardiovascular complications management seems not just limited but unacknowledged. As a preliminary study, a community’s knowledge of pharmacological value of cassava is investigated. Methods: Descriptive observational study using questionnaire-based “cross-sectional” survey was conducted. 136 Participants completed the survey and 101 respondents were selected for evaluation. Open-ended questions were used qualitatively to generate experience and view cassava values for diabetes and dyslipidemia. While categorical (yes or no) questions were used quantitatively to generate numerical results for diabetes, critical reanalysis of a report data was performed, especially comparing carbohydrate/fiber and fat/fiber ratios of cassava with wheat in view of dyslipidemia. Result: On the positive side, 42% of the participants believe that cassava has medicinal values. This includes 6% (among the 42) who believes that the plant is useful in treating diabetes and 24% who do not know it may be useful in diabetes management. Critical review showed that cassava may contribute up to sixteen times more fiber and four times less digestible sugar, as well as carbohydrate/fiber and fat/fiber ratios being 14 and 55 times less than wheat. Conclusion: There is evidence that relative to wheat flour meal, for instance, cassava contributes less fat and much more fiber. Since fat is pro-obesity, which in turn is pro-diabetic/metabolic syndrome; and fiber is anti-dyslipidemic; cassava has pharmacological values to be appreciated over some carbohydrate plant-based foods.

Prediabetes and cardiovascular complications screening in Nigeria: A family case presentation

Metabolic disorders are on the increase globally, and the need for screening remains imperative. This case report is of a 48-year-old man who was screened as dyslipidaemic and on metabolic syndrome prevention, precipitating screening of family relatives. The extended family members (N=11) were invited for screening, of which 4 were hyperglycaemic, 3 had hypercholesterolaemia; and the HDL levels of 6 participants were abnormal. All family members had normal plasma triglyceride levels, and 4 people had high blood pressure. There was an indication that 55% members of a family had up to two metabolic disorders or risk factors including dyslipidaemia that may predispose them to CVD; as well as family history of periodontitis in the family. This pilot study plans to follow-up its association with dyslipidaemia as well as with prediabetes. The feasibility of using simple and affordable screening test for diabetes in oral health clinics and vice versa, including review of observations of technical importance relevant to pathology logistics will be investigated.

Development of public health program for type 1 diabetes in a university community: preliminary evaluation of behavioural change wheel

BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus, including type 1 is a global public health problem among the young persons. While public health campaign and screening program is a potential strategy, but communication skills, knowledge and opinion of the healthcare personnel are indicated as variables that can impact patients education, which will lead to better outcome of care. Thus, in designing or planning a program for public health, workforce development considers opinion and behavioural change wheel of prospective personnel. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this preliminary study was to evaluate if a university academic department has the behavioural change wheel to function as workforce infrastructure for an envisioned program. METHOD Survey of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of a university community regarding diabetes type 1 was performed. The KAP were translated into behavioural change wheel comprising capacity, motivation and opportunity (CMO). RESULTS There are baseline indications of the behavioural change wheel potential of the public health department to run a T1D screening program. The number of participants who knew someone with T1D was significantly higher than the subgroup with no such knowledge (p<0.0004) and this improved when age factor is considered (p<0.00005). CONCLUSION While the public health department of a university community has the behavioural change wheel or CMO to develop a workforce infrastructure for T1D screening program, the experience that comes with age of lecturers will be an important factor to enable such program to succeed.