Browsing by Author "Aanyu-Tukamuhebwa, Hellen"

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    The burden of severe asthma in sub-Saharan Africa: Findings from the African Severe Asthma Project
    (Elsevier Inc, 2024-01-09) Kirenga, Bruce J; Chakaya, Jeremiah; Yimer, Getnet; Nyale, George; Haile, Tewodros; Muttamba, Winters; Mugenyi, Levicatus; Katagira, Winceslaus; Worodria, William; Aanyu-Tukamuhebwa, Hellen; Lugogo, Njira; Joloba, Moses; Mersha, Tesfaye B.; Bekele, Amsalu; Makumbi, Fred; Mekasha, Amha; Green, Cynthia L.; de Jong, Corina; Kamya, Moses; van der Molen, Thys
    Background: Severe asthma is associated with high morbidity, mortality, and health care utilization, but its burden in Africa is unknown. Objective: We sought to determine the burden (prevalence, mortality, and activity and work impairment) of severe asthma in 3 countries in East Africa: Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia. Methods: Using the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society case definition of severe asthma, we analyzed for the prevalence of severe asthma (requiring Global Initiative for Asthma [GINA] steps 4-5 asthma medications for the previous year to achieve control) and severe refractory asthma (remains uncontrolled despite treatment with GINA steps 4-5 asthma medications) in a cohort of 1086 asthma patients who had been in care for 12 months and had received all GINA-recommended medications. Asthma control was assessed by the asthma control questionnaire (ACQ). Results: Overall, the prevalence of severe asthma and severe refractory asthma was 25.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 23.1-28.3) and 4.6% (95% CI, 3.5-6.0), respectively. Patients with severe asthma were (nonsevere vs severe vs severe refractory) older (39, 42, 45 years, P = .011), had high skin prick test reactivity (67.1%, 76.0%, 76.0%, P = .004), had lower forced expiratory volume in 1 second percentage (81%, 61%, 55.5%, P < .001), had lower quality of life score (129, 127 vs 121, P < .001), and had higher activity impairment (10%, 30%, 50%, P < .001). Factors independently associated with severe asthma were hypertension comorbidity; adjusted odds ratio 2.21 (1.10-4.47), P = .027, high bronchial hyperresponsiveness questionnaire score; adjusted odds ratio 2.16 (1.01-4.61), P = .047 and higher ACQ score at baseline 2.80 (1.55-5.08), P = .001. Conclusion: The prevalence of severe asthma in Africa is high and is associated with high morbidity and poor quality of life.
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    Efficacy of convalescent plasma for treatment of COVID-19 in Uganda
    (BMJ Open Resp Res, 2021) Kirenga, Bruce; Byakika-Kibwika, Pauline; Muttamba, Winters; Kayongo, Alex; Namakula, Olive Loryndah,; Mugenyi, Levicatus; Kiwanuka, Noah; Lusiba, John; Atukunda, Angella; Mugume, Raymond; Ssali, Francis; Ddungu, Henry; Katagira, Winceslaus; Sekibira, Rogers; Kityo, Cissy; Kyeyune, Dorothy; Acana, Susan; Aanyu-Tukamuhebwa, Hellen; Kabweru, Wilberforce; Nakwagala, Fred; Sentalo Bagaya, Bernard; Kimuli, Ivan; Nantanda, Rebecca; Buregyeya, Esther; Byarugaba, Baterana; Olaro, Charles; Mwebesa, Henry; Lutaakome Joloba, Moses; Siddharthan, Trishul; Bazeyo, William
    Convalescent plasma (CCP) has been studied as a potential therapy for COVID-19, but data on its efficacy in Africa are limited. Objective In this trial we set out to determine the efficacy of CCP for treatment of COVID-19 in Uganda. Measurements Patients with a positive SARS-CoV- 2 reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR test irrespective of disease severity were hospitalized and randomized to receive either COVID-19 CCP plus standard of care (SOC) or SOC alone. The primary outcome was time to viral clearance, defined as having two consecutive RT-PCR- negative tests by day 28. Secondary outcomes included time to symptom resolution, clinical status on the modified WHO Ordinal Clinical Scale (≥1-point increase), progression to severe/ critical condition (defined as oxygen saturation <93% or needing oxygen), mortality and safety.
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    The State of Ambient Air Quality in Two Ugandan Cities: A Pilot Cross-Sectional Spatial Assessment
    (International journal of environmental research and public health, 2015) Kirenga, Bruce J.; Meng, Qingyu; Gemert, Frederik van; Aanyu-Tukamuhebwa, Hellen; Chavannes, Niels; Katamba, Achilles; Obai, Gerald; Molen, Thys van der; Schwander, Stephan; Mohsenin, Vahid
    Air pollution is one of the leading global public health risks but its magnitude in many developing countries’ cities is not known. We aimed to measure the concentration of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone (O3) pollutants in two Ugandan cities (Kampala and Jinja). PM2.5, O3, temperature and humidity were measured with real-time monitors, while NO2 and SO2 were measured with diffusion tubes. We found that the mean concentrations of the air pollutants PM2.5, NO2, SO2 and O3 were 132.1 μg/m3, 24.9 μg/m3, 3.7 μg/m3 and 11.4 μg/m3, respectively. The mean PM2.5 concentration is 5.3 times the World Health Organization (WHO) cut-off limits while the NO2, SO2 and O3 concentrations are below WHO cut-off limits. PM2.5 levels were higher in Kampala than in Jinja (138.6 μg/m3 vs. 99.3 μg/m3) and at industrial than residential sites (152.6 μg/m3 vs. 120.5 μg/m3) but residential sites with unpaved roads also had high PM2.5 concentrations (152.6 μg/m3). In conclusion, air pollutant concentrations in Kampala and Jinja in Uganda are dangerously high. Long-term studies are needed to characterize air pollution levels during all seasons, to assess related public health impacts, and explore mitigation approaches.