Samuel Kyei

Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) Versus the Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED): A Study of a Nonclinical Sample.

Purpose: To compare the Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED) and the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaires, and to further validate the SPEED questionnaire using the OSDI in a nonclinical sample. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 657 undergraduate students aged 18–34 years. Subject selection was by systematic random methods. Results: The Cronbach alphas of the SPEED and OSDI questionnaires were 0.895 and 0.897, respectively. Classification of participants based on OSDI grading of severity indicated that the total mean SPEED score were 2.2, 5.0, 6.6 and 9.9 for the asymptomatic, mild, moderate and severe dry eye groups respectively (F(3,653) = 141.3 P < 0.001,&eegr;2=0.394). Post hoc testing for all between-group differences was statistically significant (P < 0.05; Tukey test of multiple comparisons). There was a significant correlation between the total scores of the OSDI and SPEED questionnaires (rs = 0.68 P < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) of the SPEED questionnaire was plotted, and the area under the curve (AUC) was estimated to be 0.82 (95% CL: 0.79–0.85; P < 0.001). Factor analysis revealed 3 dimensions as responsible for the substantial amount of variance in the data generated by the SPEED questionnaire. Conclusions: The SPEED questionnaire was good in separating asymptomatic and symptomatic participants in comparison with the OSDI. This indicates that the SPEED questionnaire is a valid measure for dry eye symptoms even in a nonclinical sample and would be useful in epidemiological studies and clinical practice for dry eye symptom assessment.

Antiarthritic effect of aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Pistia stratiotes in adjuvant-induced arthritis in Sprague-Dawley rats

Background Pistia stratiotes has been used effectively to treat a number of inflammatory conditions. This study aims to determine the antiarthritic effect of aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of P. stratiotes. Methods Arthritis was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats, paw swelling was measured, and arthritis indices were estimated in rats treated with aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of P. stratiotes (AQ PSE and ET PSE, respectively), methotrexate, diclofenac, dexamethasone, and normal saline-treated rats. Radiologic imaging, hematological assessment of red and white blood cells, C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, as well as histopathological studies were also done. The data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism 5. Results The 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg doses of AQ PSE and the 30 and 100 mg/kg doses of ET PSE caused a significant (P ≤ 0.05–0.001) reduction in ipsilateral paw swelling, similar to the effects of methotrexate, dexamethasone, and diclofenac. Only the 30 mg/kg dose of AQ PSE caused a significant (P ≤ 0.01) reduction in contralateral paw swelling. Arthritic indices reduced significantly (P ≤ 0.05–0.001) at all drug doses, except for the 100 and 300 mg/kg doses of ET PSE. White blood cell levels decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.05–0.01) in arthritic rats treated with the 30 mg/kg dose of AQ PSE and those treated with methotrexate. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels were significantly (P ≤ 0.01–0.001) lower in all the treatment groups except for the rats treated with AQ PSE 300 mg/kg and ET PSE 100 and 300 mg/kg doses. The arthritic animals treated with 30 mg/kg of the aqueous extract showed no inflammatory changes in the ipsilateral paw, while the contralateral paw showed only foci of mild chronic inflammatory changes, as seen with the reference drug treatment in histopathological studies. Conclusion This study establishes that aqueous and ethanolic extracts of P. stratiotes have antiarthritic activity in Sprague-Dawley rats with induced arthritis. The aqueous extract had better activity than the ethanolic extract.

The efficacy of stingless bee honey for the treatment of bacteria-induced conjunctivitis in guinea pigs

The efficacy of the conjunctival application of a crude concentration of stingless bee honey (SBH) for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis was investigated in an animal model. Bacterial conjunctivitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa was induced in Hartley guinea pigs. The conjunctival application of SBH or gentamicin was used for treatment, and the results of this treatment were compared with control values. Inflammatory signs, duration of infection (ie, positive culture), and time for the complete resolution of infection with S. aureus or P. aeruginosa were shortened by the conjunctival application of 1 drop (70 µL) of crude SBH twice daily. The potency of SBH was comparable with that of gentamicin. SBH may be a rational agent for the treatment of infective conjunctivitis in humans; it is inexpensive and commonly available to the rural population.

Symptomatic Dry Eye and Its Associated Factors: A Study of University Undergraduate Students in Ghana.

Background: To estimate the prevalence and risk factors of symptomatic dry eye disease (DED) among undergraduate students in a Ghanaian university. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 700 undergraduate students of the University of Cape Coast, aged 18 to 34 years. Participants completed questionnaires delivered directly to randomly and systematically selected subjects to detect symptomatic dry eye and its predictive factors. Symptomatic dry eye was defined as any reported symptom on the Standard Patient Evaluation Eye Dryness (SPEED) questionnaire reported as often or constant or if any symptom on the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) was reported as most of the time or all of the time. Furthermore, OSDI ≥13 and SPEED ≥6 were used to defined symptomatic dry eye and prevalence were also estimated with these criteria as secondary measures. Current symptoms of dry eye and possible risk factors such as age, gender, current alcohol drinking, use of oral contraceptives, use of computer more than an hour daily, environmental conditions, allergies, and self-medication with over-the-counter eye drops were the main outcome measures. We used logistic regression analysis to examine the associations between dry eye and its predictive factors. Results: Of the 700 participants, 650 completed the questionnaire. The prevalence of symptomatic dry eye was 44.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 40.6%–48.2%). There was a significant association between symptomatic dry eye and discomfort with eyes in windy conditions (&khgr;2=110.1; df=4; P<0.001), areas with low humidity (&khgr;2=91.6; df=4; P<0.001), and air-conditioned rooms (&khgr;2=89.0; df=4; P<0.001). Self-medication with over-the-counter eye drops (OR 4.20; 95% CI, 2.61–6.74; P<0.001), any allergies (OR 2.46; 95% CI, 1.42–4.29; P=0.001), and use of oral contraceptives (OR 4.04; 95% CI, 1.02–16.01; P=0.047) were predictive factors of symptomatic dry eye. Sex was predictive in univariate analysis but was not significantly associated in multivariate analysis. Conclusions: The prevalence of symptomatic dry eye among undergraduate students in Ghana is high and it is associated with self-medication with over-the-counter eye drops, allergies, use of oral contraceptive, windy conditions, very low humid areas, air-conditioned rooms, and sex. Relevant input directed against modifiable risks factors may have a positive impact on the well-being of undergraduate students in Ghana.

The effect of caffeine on tear secretion.

Purpose Caffeine, probably the most widely consumed psychoactive substance, is claimed to have conflicting effects on some tear film dynamics. This study sought to investigate the effect of orally ingested caffeine on tear secretion. Methods In an examiner-masked, placebo-controlled, crossover experimental model, the effect of caffeine intake on tear secretion was studied in 41 healthy volunteers aged 20 to 26 years (mean, 23.0 ± 2.1 years). Participants were randomly assigned into two groups, A and B, to receive two different treatments in two sessions. Subjects in group A were exposed to 5.0 mg/kg body weight of caffeine dissolved in 200 mL of water on their first visit, whereas those in group B were exposed to 200 mL of water. On the second visit, however, the order of treatment was reversed. Schirmer 1 scores were measured repeatedly at 45, 90, 135, and 180 minutes after treatment. The baseline Schirmer 1 scores were compared with posttreatment scores. Results Schirmer 1 scores increased after caffeine intake. The increase was statistically significant at 45 and 90 minutes (p < 0.05) after caffeine intake. Age, body mass, and blood pressure had no correlation with Schirmer 1 scores (Spearman correlation test, p > 0.05). There was no influence of gender in caffeine’s effect on tear secretion (F = 0.994, p = 0.399). Conclusions From our study, orally ingested caffeine appears to stimulate tear secretion in healthy non–dry eye subjects.

Ocular anti-inflammatory effect of aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Pistia stratiotes Linn (Araceae) in endotoxin-induced uveitis

Journal of Natural Pharmaceuticals, Volume 3, Issue 2, July-December, 2012.Also available at www.jnatpharm.org DOI: 10.4103/2229-5119.102752

In vivo antimalarial activity of stem bark extracts of Plumeria alba against Plasmodium berghei in imprinting control region mice

License. The full terms of the License are available at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Ltd, provided the work is properly attributed. Permissions beyond the scope of the License are administered by Dove Medical Press Ltd. Information on how to request permission may be found at: http://www.dovepress.com/permissions.php Reports in Parasitology 2013:3 19–25 Reports in Parasitology Dovepress

Cryptolepine, an indoloquinoline alkaloid, in the management of diabetes mellitus and its associated complications.

Background: Effective long-term management is the key to treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications. Aim: To ascertain the ability of cryptolepine (CRP) in managing DM and some associated complications. Materials and Methods: Changes in fasting blood sugar (FBS), body weight, response to thermally-induced pain, and semen quality were assessed in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats treated with CRP (10, 30, or 100 mg/kg), glibenclamide (10 mg/kg), or normal saline (2 ml/kg) per os. Hematological profile, liver and kidney function tests, lipid profile, as well as liver, kidney, and pancreas histopathological examinations were also conducted to establish possible effects of CRP treatment. Results: CRP treatment reduced (P ≤ 0.001) FBS and body weight, inhibited (P ≤ 0.05 - 0.001) the latency to tail flick or withdrawal from pain stimulus. It did not alter (P > 0.05): Hematological parameters, elevated (P ≤ 0.05 - 0.001) plasma aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase, reduced (P ≤ 0.01) plasma urea, and elevated (P ≤ 0.001) plasma creatinine associated with DM. CRP, however, reversed (P ≤ 0.05 - 0.001) DM-associated elevation (P ≤ 0.05 - 0.001) of plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins, and the reduction in high-density lipoproteins. CRP (10-30 mg/kg) showed dose-dependent regeneration of β-islet cells but could not repair degenerated liver and kidney tissue. CRP worsens dose-dependently (P ≤ 0.001) reduced sperm quality associated with DM. Conclusion: CRP abolishes hyperglycemia, weight loss, cold allodynia, neuropathic pain, and hyperlipidemia as well as pancreatic β-islet cell damage associated with DM. It, however, does not improve liver and kidney damage and lowered semen quality.

Cost of the medical management and prescription pattern for primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) in Ghana-a retrospective cross-sectional study from three referral facilities.

BackgroundGlaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness globally, and treatment involves considerable cost to stakeholders in healthcare. However, there is infrequent availability of cost information and patterns of management, especially in developing countries. This study determined the cost of the medical management of POAG, adherence, and pattern of medication prescription in Ghana.MethodsA retrospective cross-sectional study involving 891 Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) cases seen in the year 2012 at three referral facilities. Demographics, ocular history, resource consumption, medication, test, surgery and other related cost were extracted from 84 patients who had fully complied with their treatment to calculate total cost (TC) based on 2012 estimates. Glaucoma drugs prescribed to patients who had adhered to all their review visits within the period evident from case folders were recorded and analysed for the prescription pattern.ResultsOut of 891 POAG cases seen in 2012, 351(39.4 %) attended all the required review visits, but only 84 (9.4) had fully and continually adhered to all their treatment regimes. They comprised 41(48.8 %) males and 43(51.2 %) females with a mean age of 65 ± 14.8. Majority of the respondents were elderly above 60 year of age (65.5 %). The total estimated cost for the 84 cases in the year was GH¢ 81,237 (

Awareness, knowledge and self‐care practices toward glaucoma among final year health science university students in Ghana

40,619), comprising GH¢ 72,193 (