Effect of social and clinical conditions on blood pressure variation in angolans hospitalized with malaria

Evaluation of blood cell count parameters as predictors of treatment failure of malaria in Angola: An observational study

Background

Despite the guidelines provided by the World Health Organization for the treatment of malaria, treatment failure occurs in many hospitalized patients.

Objective

Evaluate whether blood cell count parameters may serve as predictors for malaria treatment.

Methodology

A cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach.

Results

Of the 219 patients, 21.5% showed failure to antimalarial treatment, Patient with 21 and 40 years (72.6%), male (53.4%), from peri-urban area (47.5%), with high parasitemia (59.8%), treated with Arthemeter (90.9%) and the mortality were 5.9%. Significant associations were observed between occupation, level of parasitemia and outcome with resistance to antimalarial treatment (p<0.05). Patients with normal Hb [OR: 0.75 (95% CI: 0.39–1.44), p = 0.393], RBC [OR: 0.83 (95% CI: 0.40–1.72), p = 0.632], RDW [OR: 0.54 (95% CI: 0.27–1.09), p = 0.088], MCV [OR: 0.61 (95% CI: 0.28–1.31), p = 0.204] were less likely to have malaria treatment failures after artemisinin-based therapy failure. In contrast, those with normal values of segmented neutrophils [OR: 0.32 (95% CI: 0.11–0.96), p = 0.042] and lymphocyte counts [OR: 0.24 (95% CI: 0.05–1.04), p = 0.055]. We also found that patients with significant low levels of Hct [OR: 0.31 (95% CI: 0.15–0.64) p = 0.002], and high leukocytes [OR: 8.88 (95% CI: 2.02–37.2), p = 0.004] and normal platelet values [OR: 1.42 (95% CI: 0.73–2.95), p = 0.280] demonstrated high probability of treatment failure.

Conclusion

The importance of blood cell count parameters in monitoring malaria therapy necessitates the urgent need to re-evaluate Artemether-based therapy. Future studies involving more participants in different settings are needed to provide further evidence.

Factors Associated With Resistance to In-Hospital Treatment of Malaria in Angolan Patients

Background:

Malaria is a public health problem, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In Angola, it is the leading cause of death, morbidity, and absenteeism from work and school.

Objective:

To evaluate the social and clinical factors associated with resistance to in-hospital treatment.

Methodology:

A prospective analytical cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was conducted including 220 patients with malaria.

Results:

Of the 220 patients enrolled, the majority were between 21 and 40 years old (72.7%), male (53.6%), of peri-urban areas (47.7%), employees (46.4%), and with high parasitemia levels (57.7%). Of the remaining hospitalized patients (61.4%), 20.9% were resistant to treatment. The resistance risk was higher in patients over 40 years [OR: 5.91 (95% CI: 0.76-45.7), P = .088], from rural regions [OR: 2.48 (95% CI: 0.95-6.48), P = .064], that were unemployed [OR: 1.06 (95% CI: 0.52-2.15), P = .859], presenting high parasitemia [OR: 1.95 (95% CI: 1.02-3.75), P = .043] and who remained hospitalized [OR: 5.28 (95% CI: 0.63-43.1), P = .121]. The risk to develop resistance was lower in patients that were students [OR: 0.04 (95% CI: 0.01-0.37), P = .004], patients who were treated with dipyrone [OR: 0.06 (95% CI: 0.01-0.24), P < .001], metoclopramide [OR: 0.25 (95% CI: 0.09-0.67), P = .006] and ciprofloxacin [OR: 0.22 (95% CI: 0.11-0.44), P < .001].

Conclusion:

Treatment with antimalarial drugs as well as the use of adjuvants such as dipyrone, metoclopramide, ciprofloxacin, and diazepam can reduce the chances of developing resistance to malaria treatment, however, it is necessary to carry out further in-depth studies.