Browsing by Author "Fualal, Jane O."

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    Iodine deficiency among goiter patients in rural South Sudan
    (BMC research notes, 2014) Chuot, Chep C.; Galukande, Moses; Ibingira, Charles; Kisa, Nicholas; Fualal, Jane O.
    It is estimated that 2.2 billion or approximately 30% of the world’s population live in iodine-deficient areas. In a 2005 study households consuming iodized salt in South Sudan increased from 40% to 73%. Despite this achievement, there are still many goiter cases in rural South Sudan and iodine deficiency remains as a major public health problem in this part of sub Saharan Africa. The purpose of this study therefore was to determine the prevalence of iodine deficiency among rural Southern Sudan goiter patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in three South Sudan counties, adults with goiter were from three centers following a mobilization campaign that lasted 4 weeks for free medical care. They were clinically evaluated and completed interviewer administered questionnaires to determine their age, gender, diet, family history, drug history, and medical history. Urine samples were then taken for urinary iodine levels. The outcome was iodine deficiency measured as urinary iodine less than 100 μg per/ L. Multiple logistic regression was used to establish the factors associated with iodine deficiency in South Sudan. Ethical approval was obtained. Results: A total of 286 goitre patients were recruited. The mean age was 38 years (SD 9), 262(92%) were females (F: M ratio 11:1), and 257(90%) were rural- peasants, 25% (20/286) had moderate to severe iodine deficiency. 174 (62%) consumed non-iodized salts.
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    Pattern of sub-clinical dysthyroidism in a postthyroidectomy cohort: Implications for supplementary treatment
    (East and Central African Journal of Surgery, 2018) Luwaga, Ronald Kint; Makumbi, Timothy; Kilyewala, Cathy; Fualal, Jane O.
    Defective thyroid functioning is referred to as dysthyroidism. Despite incomplete thyroidectomy or thyroxine supplementation, post-thyroidectomy patients may still experience dysthyroidism. Many times, this may be sub - clinical. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and pattern of sub-clinical dysthyroidism following thyroid surgery.In this prospective cohort study, 40 patients were consecutively recruited following conventional thyroidectomy and followed up to 12months. All patients were euthyroid at surgery. At 12 months serum TSH, T4 and T3 levels were measured and the patients clinically assessed. The prevalence and pattern of dysthyroidism was analysed statistically against the patient demographics, clinical and peri-operative variables for significance, using stata version 13. The confidence interval was at 95% and the statistical significance at a p-value of <0.05. The mean age was 44.3 years (M:F= 1: 12.3). 20% of the patients had medical comorbidities. The types of surgery performed were sub-total thyroidectomy (55%), near total thyroidectomy (25%) and total thyroidectomy (20%). The prevalence of postoperative dysthyroidism was 52.5%. 22.7% of patients who underwent sub-total thyroidectomy had dysthyroidism. Most patients (90%) who were on thyroxine supplement (following total or near total thyroidectomy) still developed dysthyroidism (P= 0.017). The type of resection done had the greatest significance (P= 0.000). Other factors associated with dysthyroidism albeit non-significantly were history of pre-operative hyperthyroidism, middle age (40 - 60 years), and female gender. The prevalence of dysthyroidism in this cohort was high which may reflect the broader picture among post - thyroidectomy patients in this setting. Regular biochemical testing in post-thyroidectomy patients is important to identify and correct dysthyroidism early. This requires frequent follow-up and accurate dose adjustment, based on objective assessments like weight or body mass index.
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    Red blood cell folate as a risk factor for breast cancer among patients at a tertiary hospital in Uganda: a case control study
    (World journal of surgical oncology, 2014) Rukundo, Gideon; Galukande, Moses; Ongom, Peter; Fualal, Jane O.
    Folate has been shown to play a complex but unclear role in carcinogenesis, with some studies showing that low folate intake protects against early carcinogenesis while high folate intake promotes advanced carcinogenesis. Other studies have shown that high folate is associated with decreased breast cancer risk and overall survival, yet others found no such association. This study therefore sought to determine the association between red blood folate levels and breast cancer among women seen at a tertiary Ugandan hospital. Methods: A case control study was conducted where female patients with a histological diagnosis of breast cancer were recruited as cases, and females without cancer attending other surgical clinics as controls. Demographics and social behavior data were collected and 5mls of blood drawn for laboratory testing of red blood cell (RBC) folate, serum vitamin B12 and RBC count. Ethical approval was obtained. Results: In this study, a total of 145 women were recruited as 72 cases and 73 controls. The odds of having breast cancer among women with normal folate levels compared to those with low folate levels were 1.4 (95% CI 0.7 to 2.9) P = 0.290. Ninety participants (63%) had low RBC folate and 53 participants (37%) had normal RBC folate. Thirty five (45%) of the women from a rural setting had normal folate levels compared to 18(28%) women from an urban setting.