European Journal of Medical and Health Sciences

Which Therapeutic Treatment Option is Best for Prostate Cancer?

Nandi Shalita — 2024-11-16

Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most common cancer among men in the developed world. PC spreads very slowly and is often detected late, so it requires much more rigorous treatment options than if it had been detected early. As with most cancer treatments, all these treatment options have their fair share of advantages and disadvantages. After a prostate cancer diagnosis, an assigned oncologist and multi-disciplinary team (MDT) come up with a treatment option that gives the patient a fighting chance considering the stage of the cancer. However, there is no go-to treatment option, and it is important to consider what the patient wants; if there are certain side effects, such as incontinence, that the patient is steadfastly against, it’s important for the MDT to honour this as much as possible.

Marginal Shortening of Life Expectancy in Japan During COVID-19: A Low Pandemic Impact Country Due to Improved Health Infrastructure and Awareness

Zameer Shervani — 2024-11-09

The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) caused the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a large number of deaths worldwide, particularly in rich and developed countries, thereby decreasing the average life expectancy (ALE) or average lifespan (ALS) of the people living in these countries. We investigated the pandemic’s effect on the ALE of the Japanese male and female population. Japan’s declining ALE year-over-year was compared with high-ranking LE countries. For both genders, Japan’s ALE increased every year until 2020, even though 2020 was a pandemic year. A small decrease due to the pandemic could not reduce Japan’s overall LE in 2020. In 2021 and 2022, Japan’s overall LE decreased, but once the pandemic ended in 2023, it returned to its pre pandemic trend of increasing. When considering both genders among the high LE and rich and democratic countries such as Hong Kong, Switzerland, Singapore, Sweden, Norway, Italy, South Korea, and Spain, Japan’s ALE was least affected. Due to its improved health infrastructure (% GDP spending on healthcare) and public awareness about the pandemic (mask usage), Japan remained the least affected country during the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper compares the ALE change, % GDP spending on healthcare, and mask usage awareness of the above countries with Japan.

Accessibility and Utilization of Contraceptives and Its Associated Factors among Students of Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria

Hikmat Moromoke Salawu — 2024-11-09

Introduction: The use of modern contraceptives among young citizens has been documented to be effective in reducing STIs, unwanted pregnancies, as well as teenage pregnancy. Therefore, it has become necessary to determine utilization patterns of contraceptive services among young individuals as it is very critical for planning to meet the reproductive needs of young persons.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted for the study. The study was conducted using 404 undergraduates from two tertiary institutions. Simple random sampling was utilized in the study. Structured self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics of chi-square test at p < 0.05.

Results: About 53.5% are between 18–22 years with a mean age of 22.62 ± 2.948; 51.5% are males, 88.6% still single. About 51.9% do not have access to contraceptives, and 66.83% are not utilizing contraceptives. Side effect of the drugs, lack of access to modern contraceptives, lack of money to access it and lack of appropriate knowledge of the one to use are major factors for non-utilization. Gender was not significantly associated with utilization of contraceptives (p = 0.204). A statistically significant association was observed between religion of the respondents and utilization of contraceptives (p = 0.013), and between accessibility of contraceptives and their utilization (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: There is poor accessibility and utilization of modern contra- ceptives among young people. Individual’s religion and accessibility could influence utilization.

Prevalence of Elongated Styloid Process in 1,000 Panoramic Radiographs of a Brazilian Population

Valdemiro Tiburtino Gomes Filho — 2024-11-16

The aim of this study was to evaluate the elongation of the styloid process’ prevalence in a population from the outback of Paraíba state, using digital panoramic radiographs, and to identify differences related to side, gender and age. This was a retrospective observational study in which 1,000 panoramic radiographs of patients over the age of 18 who met the research inclusion criteria were evaluated. The styloid process was measured from its origin, where it leaves the tympanic plate, to its Apex, being considered short when it was less than 20 mm long, normal when it was between 20–30 mm long and elongated when it was longer than 30 mm. A 32% prevalence was found, with a progressive increase related to age, greater length in males and bilateral involvement. It was concluded that around 1/3 of the population studied had an elongated styloid process. Further studies are needed to correlate the elongation of the styloid process and clinical manifestations.

The First Case Report of an Idiopathic Systemic Capillary Leak Syndrome (Clarkson’s Disease) in Morocco

Miriem Ben Brahim — 2024-11-16

Background: The idiopathic systemic capillary leak syndrome (ISCLS), also known as Clarkson disease, is an extremely infrequent and commonly misdiagnosed disease. This rare disorder is characterized by paroxysmal capillary hyperpermeability with diffuse severe oedema and hypovolemia, along with hemoconcentration and hypoalbuminemia.

Case Summary: A 60-year-old Moroccan man was admitted to our hospital, presenting with a severe hypovolemic shock associated with diffuse ede- matous syndrome following an emotional shock. Laboratory tests showed hemoconcentration, hypoalbuminemia, and a monoclonal gammopathy in the electrophoresis of proteins, while all other laboratory tests were normal. During hospitalization, the patient was conditioned and monitored with careful volume expansion using synthetic colloids and an ascites puncture was performed. After excluding other pathologies, the clinical presenta- tion was consistent with the diagnosis of ISCLS. Recurrent episodes were reported before the patient’s death.

Conclusion: The idiopathic systemic capillary leak syndrome is a potentially life threatening disease with a high mortality. The pathophysiology of this condition remains unclear despite all previous attempts at clarification. Knowledge of the limited treatment options is crucial for patients’ prognosis and overall survival. This report aims to raise awareness of ISCLS.