Abstract: Point of care testing (POCT) coagulometers are widely used for international normalized ratio (INR) monitoring for patients on vitamin K antagonists (VKA) therapy. In our study, we investigated the accuracy and reliability of CoaguChek pro II (Roche Diagnostics) as an alternative for standard laboratory testing (SLT) by ACL TOP 500 top system in outpatient department setting. Methods: We enrolled a total of 174 INR results in our study which were measured by CoaguChek ProII and ACL TOP 500 top. The three arms of the study were: INR <3.5, 3.5-4.4, and ≥4.5. The results were compared using Passing Bablok regression analysis and Bland-Altman plot. The agreement between the two methods was further evaluated to demonstrate the impact on dosing decision. Furthermore, the degree of patient satisfaction with POCT in our INR clinic was assessed by participating in a survey. Results: The overall correlation of INR measurements between POCT and SLT in our study was strong (r = 0.95), however, the correlation between the two methods in the 3.5-4.4 arm was moderate (r = 0.502). The overall agreement between the two methods in all three arms of the study in terms of dosing decision was good (Kappa = 0.862), with only 12.6% of INR measurements showing a difference in dosing decision. Ninety-Seven percent of all INR values measured by CoaguChek Pro II within therapeutic range (INR<3.5) were within 0.5 INR units when compared to ACL TOP 500 Top. Furthermore, we concluded that more than 90% of the patients in our center were satisfied with the POC service. Conclusion: We concluded that POCT is a good alternative to SLT in INR values falling in therapeutic and supra-therapeutic ranges; however, additional comparative studies investigating the accuracy and reliability between the two methods for INR results between 3.5-4.4 will add to the current body of knowledge. Furthermore, the majority of patients were satisfied with the service provided in the POC INR clinic.Abstract: Point of care testing (POCT) coagulometers are widely used for international normalized ratio (INR) monitoring for patients on vitamin K antagonists (VKA) therapy. In our study, we investigated the accuracy and reliability of CoaguChek pro II (Roche Diagnostics) as an alternative for standard laboratory testing (SLT) by ACL TOP 500 top system in ou...Show More
Abstract: Introduction/Aim: There is scanty detailed published literature on meningiomas in Nigeria and other parts of Africa. This study is aimed at exploring the demographics, histopathology and presenting symptoms/signs of meningioma in our tertiary health facility and comparing it with other published literature. Methodology: This is a hospital based retrospective study of all histopathologically diagnosed meningioma cases at the department of histopathology of the Jos University Teaching Hospital in plateau state North-Central Nigeria. The period of review is between the 1st of January 2012 to the 31st of December 2020. Materials utilized for this research consisted of Archival histopathology glass slides, paraffin wax tissue blocks, electronic surgical pathology result data base, electronic cancer registry entries and hard copies of patient case files. The age, sex, intracranial location, histomorphological variant, grade and presenting symptom/sign was documented for all cases and analyzed. Results: Thirty-four (34) cases of meningioma out of 87 primary intracranial neoplasms were histopathologically diagnosed over the 9 years of review. There was a female predominance, with a M:F of 1:1.61. The peak age of diagnoses occurred in the 5th and 6th decades for females and males respectively. The commonest histomorphological variant was the Meningothelial type with the commonest intracranial site of diagnosis being the convexities. The most frequently occurring presenting symptom/sign were headache, seizures and visual impairment. Conclusion: Meningioma is the commonest intracranial tumour diagnosed at the Jos University teaching Hospital, In North central Nigeria. This tumour occurs at a relatively younger age in our environment. The sex distribution, variants, grades and symptoms/signs of this tumour in our study conforms to what is obtainable in other parts of the world.Abstract: Introduction/Aim: There is scanty detailed published literature on meningiomas in Nigeria and other parts of Africa. This study is aimed at exploring the demographics, histopathology and presenting symptoms/signs of meningioma in our tertiary health facility and comparing it with other published literature. Methodology: This is a hospital based ret...Show More
