ISSN 2326-7283
Research Article
African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 8 (3), pp. 001-006, March, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research paper
Biofeedback application for somatoform disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children
Nada Pop Jordanova
Pediatrician and Clinical psychologist, Department of Psychophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Skopje University, R. Macedonia. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel.: ++389 2 3147 497. Fax: ++ 389 2 3 164 860.
Accepted 22 October, 2019
Abstract
Biofeedback is a modern computer-related technique used mainly for assessment and therapy of psychophysiological disorders. The influx of about 800 patients per year with stress related disorders is the cause of extensive clinical use of biofeedback in our Department. In this article some results obtained with electrodermal (EDR) and electroencephalography (EEG) biofeedback in the assessment and therapy of children with two most common disorders somatoform and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in the period of fifteen years are presented and discussed. The two groups of patients comprised 243 children with somatoform problems (age 10.31 ± 2.75 years) and 50 children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (age 11.11 ± 4.51 years). Before application of individually adapted biofeedback modalities, interviews with parents and children, large scale of psychometric tests, as well as evaluations with Quantitative EEG (Mitzar, Russia) were performed. For EDR biofeedback relax plus and Inner Tunner Professional, Ultramind, UK, while for EEG biofeedback Biograph ProComp, Thought Technology LTD, Canada were applied. For somatoform problems 10 - 15 sessions of EDR biofeedback were sufficient, while for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder the number of needed sessions was 20 - 40, twice a week. Our experiences with these non-pharmacologic methods in the assessment and therapy of somatoform problems and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are quite positive, providing that biofeedback is combined with psychological support and cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy. The results showed that the EDR biofeedback is more effective in the case of somatoform disorders, and the EEG biofeedback (neurofeedback) in the case of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Still, EDR biofeedback appeared to be more preferable method by young children than EEG biofeedback, either as a unique treatment or as a first step preceding the neurofeedback therapy.
Key words: Electrodermal biofeedback, EEG-biofeedback, somatofoam disorders, ADHD.
Nada Pop Jordanova
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Research Article
African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 8 (2), pp. 001-006, February, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research paper
Serum total cholesterol in hypertensive Northern Nigerians
Akuyam S. A1*, Aghogho U. B1, Aliyu I. S1and Bakari A. G2
1Department of Chemical Pathology, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria.
2Department of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria.
Accepted 23 October, 2019
Abstract
Hypertension is associated with several lipid abnormalities including elevated total cholesterol (TC) concentrations. The presence of dyslipidaemia increases risks of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. There is paucity of data on the pattern of serum TC in hypertensive patients in northern Nigeria. The objective of the present study was therefore to evaluate serum total cholesterol in hypertensive patients and normotensive subjects in Zaria, Northern Nigeria. Serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC) were measured in 100 hypertensive patients and fifty 50 normotensive. Body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) were also measured in both hypertensive patients and normotensive subjects. The data obtained were analysed using Microsoft Office Excel 2003. Two-tailed student’s t- test for matched samples and Pearson’s linear correlation analysis statistical methods were employed for the analyses. A p-value of equal to or less than 0.05 (p 0.05) was considered as statistically significant. The results of serum TC in hypertensive patients and normotensive subjects were 5.12 ± 0.12 and 4.50 ± 0.11 mmol/L, respectively (p < 0.05). Furthermore, there were positive and significant correlations between serum TC and BP in both hypertensive patients and normotensive subjects. Similarly, there were positive and significant correlations between serum TC and BMI in hypertensive patients and normotensive subjects. These findings demonstrate that serum TC levels increase as the BP and BMI rise in both hypertensive patients and normotensive subjects. Hypertensive patients demonstrate higher serum TC concentrations than their normotensive counterparts, suggesting a high risk of developing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications, such as coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke among hypertensives. We recommend routine evaluation and proper management of serum TC in hypertensive patients.
Key words: Hypertensive patients, serum total cholesterol, cardiovascular disease.
Aghogho U. B, Aliyu I. S and Bakari A. G, Akuyam S. A*
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Short Communication
African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 8 (2), pp. 001-003, February, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Short Communication
Platelets: Indicator of inflammation in COPD
Gulfidan Cakmak1*, Zuhal Aydan Saglam1, Tayyibe Saler1, Mustafa Yenigun1, Esra Ataoglu1, Levent Umit Temiz1 and Tuncalp Demir2
14th Clinic of Internal Medicine, Haseki Training and Research Hospital,Haseki Millet Caddesi, Aksaray-Istanbul, Turkey.
2Istanbul University Medical Faculty of Cerrahpasa, Department of RespiratoryMedicine. Cerrrahpasa-Istanbul, Turkey.
Accepted 07 May 2019
Abstract
COPD is a disease presenting with pulmonary inflammation as well as a systemic one. The present study was conducted to see if platelet count may be accepted as an indicator of systemic inflammation other than erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP). 964 smoker patients without any concomitant disease were divided into groups as COPD and non-COPD according to spirometric values. Physical examination, posteroanterior chest x-rays and blood samples were determined. Patients with COPD had higher ESR, CRP levels and platelet count than the group without COPD. According to spirometric parameters, as the severity of the disease increased, platelet counts also revealed a statistically significant increase. We conclude that the increase in the number of platelets may be an indicator of severity of the disease and sytemic inflammation in patients with COPD.
Key words: Platelet, inflammation, COPD.
Levent Umit Temiz and Tuncalp Demir, Gulfidan Cakmak*, Esra Ataoglu, Tayyibe Saler, Mustafa Yenigun, Zuhal Aydan Saglam
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Case Report
African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 8 (2), pp. 001-002, February, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Case Report
Microscopic thymoma accompanying simple thymic hyperplasia
Elif U. Akyildiz1*, Hale Demir2, Ahmet Demirkaya3, Canan Akman4, Buge Oz1 and Nil U. Comunoglu5
1Department of Pathology, Uludag University School of Medicine, Gorukle, Bursa, Turkey.
2Departments of Pathology, Cerrahpa a School of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul , Turkey.
3Thoracal Surgery, Cerrahpa a School of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
4Radiology, Cerrahpa a School of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
5Department of Pathology, Yeditepe University School of Medicine, Kayısda ı, Istanbul, Turkey.
Accepted 11 May, 2019
Abstract
Thymic pathologies such as lymphoid follicular hyperplasia or thymoma are seen in 75% of myasthenia gravis subjects. Microscopic thymoma is a lesion that is seen in 15% of myasthenia gravis patients. The World Health Organization defines microscopic thymoma as a “ usually multifocal epithelial proliferation <1 mm in diameter”. Microthymoma, in other words microscopic-sized thymoma, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of microscopic timoma. We present the case of a 28-year-old male patient followed-up for myasthenia gravis and diagnosed with “microscopic thymoma” following thymectomy.
Key words: Thymus, microscopic thymoma, thymoma, myasthenia gravis.
Buge Oz and Nil U. Comunoglu, Elif U. Akyildiz*, Hale Demir, Canan Akman, Ahmet Demirkaya
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Perspective
African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 8 (2), pp. 001-003, February, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Perspective
Recommended approach of the obese Greek military personnel
Elias E. Mazokopakis1*, Christos M. Karefilakis1 and Ioannis K. Starakis2
1Department of Internal Medicine, Naval Hospital of Crete, Chania, Greece.
2Department of Internal Medicine, Patras University Hospital, Rion-Patras, Greece.
Accepted 10 May, 2019
Abstract
The worldwide “escalating epidemic” of obesity merits a high priority for preventive strategies in the Greek Armed Forces. In this report a brief realistic approach of the overweight Greek military personnel based on new developments is presented.
Key word: Obesity, military personnel, Greek.
Christos M. Karefilakis and Ioannis K. Starakis, Elias E. Mazokopakis*
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Case Report
African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 8 (2), pp. 001-004, February, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Case Report
End stage renal disease patient presenting with breast pain: Case report
Manzoor Rather1, Rohtesh S. Mehta2*, Shalini Vijaykumar2, Orville Domingo3 and Colette D. Terry4
1Department of Internal Medicine, Mercy Catholic Medical Center, Darby, PA, USA.
2Mercy Catholic Medical Center, Drexel University School of Medicine, USA.
3Department of Surgery, Mercy Catholic Medical Center, Darby, PA, USA.
4Department of Pathology, Drexel University College of Medicine Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA.
Accepted 07 July, 2019
Key words: Calciphylaxis, end stage renal disease, breast necrosis, breast pain, secondary hyperparathyroidism.
Shalini Vijaykumar, Rohtesh S. Mehta*, Orville Domingo and Colette D. Terry, Manzoor Rather
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