Background: Co-morbidities in Lassa fever refers to the presence of other underlying medical conditions or diseases in individuals infected with the virus. These co-morbidities can significantly affect the progression and outcome of Lassa fever, making it a complex and challenging infectious disease to control.
Objective: To determine the effects of Co-morbidities on Lassa fever and it’s management between 2019-2023 in a Lassa Fever Research Institute in Nigeria.
Methodology: This study was conducted at the Lassa Fever Research Institute at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH) in Edo State, Nigeria. It engaged a retrospective cross-sectional design and employed a systematic sampling technique. Data analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 21.0 software for descriptive statistics. Associations were tested using the Chi-square test, with a significance level set at p<0.05.
Results: The study found that Lassa fever had no specificity for age as it affected individuals across a wide age range (18-78 years), with the highest incidence in the 47-57 year age group. Hypertension was the most common comorbid condition (30%), followed by peptic ulcer disease (20%). Ribavirin was the main stay of treatment used. The analysis showed no significant relationship between comorbidities and mortality, as the majority of cases (85%) had outstanding outcomes. However, there was a significant relationship (p=0.04) between the level of education and outcomes, with most individuals having a tertiary education and experiencing positive outcomes.
Conclusion: According to this study, it was discovered that there were no significant relationship between co morbidities and mortality as majority of the cases reviewed were seen to have good outcomes with the aid of the current treatment (ribavirin).
Author(s) Details:
Chiegboka S. Frances
Department of Medicine, Victoria Hospital Ekwulobia, Anambra, Nigeria.
Usoro U.T Edidiongobong
Department of Pediatrics, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
Odion E. Hendrix
Department of Internal Medicine, Edo State Specialist Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.
Enotiemonria J. Ighodalo
Department of Internal Medicine, Edo State Specialist Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.
Etukokwu Ijeoma U.
Evolving Women Foundation Department of Prevention, Care and Treatment (Public Health), Rivers State, Nigeria.
Awolo O. Daniel
Department of Internal Medicine, Edo Specialist Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.
Akeredolu W. Utome
Department of Internal Medicine, Edo Specialist Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.
Abebe E. Stephen
Department of Internal Medicine, Edo Specialist Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.
Oshadiya O. Christian
Department of Internal Medicine, Edo Specialist Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.
Osamuyi Emmanuella I.
Department of Medicine, National Defence College Clinic, Abuja, Nigeria.
Ezedigwe O. Collins
Department of Surgery, Harbour Hospital, Poole, United Kingdom.
Osigbeme Azemobor
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.
Akhaine J. Precious
Department of Internal Medicine, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua Edo State, Nigeria.
Recent Global Research Developments in Lassa Fever: Overview and Impact
In 2021, Nigeria faced three outbreaks of Lassa fever, a viral disease that affects 70 to 100% of its states annually. Interestingly, the pattern in 2021 differed from previous years, with a stark increase in infections. During the same period, Nigeria also grappled with substantial burdens from COVID-19 and cholera outbreaks [1].
Researchers assessed the syndemic potential of Lassa fever, COVID-19, and cholera by modeling their interactions throughout 2021. They used a Poisson regression model, considering factors like the number of states affected and the month of the year. The prediction for confirmed Lassa fever cases significantly depended on the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, states affected, and the month. Additionally, a Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) model provided a good fit, accounting for 48% of the change in Lassa fever cases [1].
References
- Tahmo, N. B., Wirsiy, F. S., & Brett-Major, D. M. (2023). Modeling the Lassa fever outbreak synchronously occurring with cholera and COVID-19 outbreaks in Nigeria 2021: A threat to Global Health Security. PLOS Global Public Health, 3(5), e0001814.
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