Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major global non-communicable disease, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Its prevalence in Nigeria is driven by various risk factors. This review assesses the national and regional prevalence and risk factors of T2DM in Nigeria. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, African Journals Online) and gray literature were searched for English-language studies. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Data were extracted with Microsoft Excel and analyzed using Stata version 16 software. Random effect meta-regression analysis at 95% CI was used to assess pooled prevalence and risk factors. Heterogeneity was determined using the I² statistic, and publication bias was evaluated with a funnel plot. Results: Sixty studies from different Nigerian geopolitical zones met eligibility criteria, with a total sample size of 124,876 participants and a mean age of 48 ± 9.8 years. The pooled prevalence of T2DM in Nigeria was 7.0% (95% CI: 5.0-9.0%). Moderate publication bias was observed. The South-south zone had the highest prevalence at 11.35% (95% CI: 4.52-20.72%), while the North-central zone had the lowest at 2.03% (95% CI: 1.09-3.40%). Significant risk factors included family history (9.73), high socioeconomic status (6.72), physical inactivity (5.92), urban living (4.79), BMI > 25/m² (3.07), infrequent vegetable consumption (2.68), and abdominal obesity (1.81). Conclusion: The prevalence of T2DM in Nigeria (7.0%) nearly doubled the 2019 International Diabetes Federation estimate (3.7%) and shows a 21.3% increase from the 2019 review. Efforts should focus on modifying identified risk factors to reduce prevalence and prevent complications.

There is a gross lack of access to rheumatological access in Africa. For example, the most populous country in the continent, Nigeria, has just 30 rheumatologists serving a population of about 200 million. In Ghana, there are just 2 rheumatologists serving a population of about 28 million people. Unfortunately, the prevalence of rheumatologic and musculoskeletal diseases is on the rise in Africa. The main issues facing rheumatologic care in Africa are inadequate health professionals, inadequate research, and a weak health system. These factors have hindered the progress of rheumatologic care and treatment in the region. Prompt action must be taken in tackling these effects and to achieve better care for rheumatologic patients in Africa. This paper analyzes carefully the current state of rheumatologic care in Africa, identifying the needs for rheumatologic care, determinants of quality of rheumatologic care delivery, and the challenges currently facing rheumatology care in Africa. Also, this review gives some recommendations on ways by which the existing system of rheumatologic care in Africa can be improved.

Frailty refers to a state of weakness that can arise due to age or illnesses, and frailty predisposes individuals to several adverse health outcomes. This has been postulated to prognosticate the outcome of various surgeries, including surgeries for various spine conditions; however, no meta-analysis has validated this finding. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the prognostic utility of frailty for the outcome of spine surgeries. We performed a systematic search of the PubMed, EMBASE, and SCOPUS databases for studies investigating the ability of frailty to predict the outcome of spine surgeries. We analyzed the effect of high frailty using the 5-item Modified Frailty Index on the outcomes (extended length of stay, readmission, postoperative complications, in-hospital mortality, reoperation, and nonroutine discharge) of spine surgeries. Meta-analysis of the information provided in the 11 studies included a sample size of 89,137; all studies used the 5-item Modified Frailty Index ≥2 as their cutoff for high frailty, and most studies were performed in the United States based on the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. The outcomes of our analysis were extended hospital length of stay (effect size 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.49, 1.79), postoperative complications (effect size 1.49; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.88), readmission (effect size 1.69; 95% CI: 1.40, 1.99), nonroutine discharge (effect size 2.16; 95% CI: 1.80, 2.51), postoperative in-hospital mortality (effect size 2.11; 95% CI: 1.25, 2.96), and reoperation (effect size 1.32; 95% CI: 1.19, 1.45). This study revealed that high frailty according to the modified 5-Item Frailty Index is correlated with an increased risk of readmission, extended length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, nonroutine discharge, postoperative in-hospital mortality, and reoperation following spine surgeries for any pathology of the spine.

Allicin components of garlic has been helpful medicinally but adverse effects has been noticed with excessive usage of garlic supplements. The toxicity of the garlic supplements has been carefully reviewed in this article. These toxicities has been linked to its effects and autonomic nervous system and its bactericidal functions. These research also encouraged usage of allicin supplements pills with regulated dosage to garlic concoction taking in most African communities.

Introduction Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a main factor leading to morbidity, hospitalizations, amputations, disability, and death of people with diabetes. However, the epidemiology and outcomes of DFUs in Nigeria are not well documented. This study (systematic review and meta-analysis) aimed to evaluate the prevalence, amputation rates, and clinical outcomes of DFU patients across various regions in Nigeria. Methods The search was comprehensively conducted through electronic databases: African Journal Online (AJOL), PubMed, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar, for studies published in English between 2005 and July 15, 2024. Eligible studies reporting on the prevalence and outcomes of DFUs in Nigerian populations were included. Some of the search terms used are (“diabetes” OR “diabetic”) AND (“foot” OR “lower extremity” OR “limb” or “leg”) AND (“amputation” OR “amputations” OR “infection” OR “gangrene” OR “necrosis” OR “ulcer” OR “ulcers” OR “wound” OR “wounds”). Two investigators independently assessed the methodological quality using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale, and key data were extracted using Microsoft Excel. Meta-regression and meta-analysis were performed using Stata version 16, employing a random effects model to estimate pooled prevalence and outcomes. Heterogeneity among studies was assessed using the I² statistic. Result Eighteen full studies were included, encompassing 2,616 patients with DFU across the studies. The mean age was 56.43 years, with average diabetes duration of 10.62 years and ulcer duration of 46.65 days. The pooled prevalence of DFUs was 16.69% (95% CI 9.74–25.06), with the highest prevalence in the Southwest (20.38%, 95% CI 7.13–38.11) and the lowest in the Northeast (5.98%, 95% CI 4.86–7.20). DFUs predominantly affected the left foot (55.09%). The overall amputation prevalence was 33.27% (95% CI 23.09–44.29), with below-knee amputations being the most common (39.81%). The pooled mortality rate was 17.75% (95% CI 10.94–25.74), and 11.52% of patients left the hospital against medical advice. The average length of stay (on hospital admission) of the entire study population was 39.97 days. Conclusion DFUs are a high health burden in Nigeria, with high rates of amputation and mortality that vary by region. These regional differences indicate an urgent need for targeted interventions. A multidisciplinary approach to DFU management is essential to reduce amputation rates and improve health outcomes. Systematic Review Registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, identifier CRD42024573581.