We measured 25 hydroxy vitamin D levels in 161 adult TB patients at a central hospital in Malawi, of whom 120 (74.5%) had <= 75 nmol/l (hypovitaminosis D), 68 (42%) had <= 50 nmol/l (VDD) and 13.6% of inpatients and 6.8% of out-patients had <= 25 nmol/l (severe VDD). In-patients had lower body mass index (BMI; 19.0 vs. 20.5, P < 0.004), and vitamin D levels were lower in those with BMI

< 20. However, on multiple regression analysis in-patient status and BMI were not associated with vitamin D level. We conclude that VDD is common in adult TB patients in Malawi. In this small sample, it was not possible to identify any independent associations of VDD.”
“Surgery for spinal metastasis is often associated with significant morbidity. Despite a number of preoperative

scoring systems/scales and identified variables that have been reported to predict complication PKC412 in vivo risk, clinical studies that directly evaluate this issue using multivariate analysis are scarce. The goal of High Content Screening our study was to assess independent predictors of complication after surgery for spinal metastasis.

We queried electronic medical records to identify a consecutive population of adult patients who underwent surgery for spinal metastasis for the period June 2005 through June 2011. Utilizing multivariate logistic regression, we assessed independent predictors of perioperative and postoperative adverse events.

A total of 106 patients were included in the final analysis. Overall complication rate was 21.7 %. Independent predictors for higher rates of complication were age greater than 40 years [40-65 years had odds ratio (OR) 1.91, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.02-16.78 and > 65 years had OR 5.17, 95 % CI 1.54-29.81] and metastatic lesions involving three or more contiguous AG-881 nmr levels of the spine (OR 2.76, 95 % CI 1.09-9.61).

Patients older than 40 years or patients who have metastatic lesions involving three or more contiguous vertebral levels appear to

be at higher risk for complication. Patients older than 65 years have the greatest likelihood of complication.”
“Intensified tuberculosis case finding (ICF) is used in people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) to reduce the burden of tuberculosis (TB). We conducted a retrospective study in 300 PLHIV attending an HIV care clinic in Ethiopia to assess ICF performance during a 12-month period. Between 80% and 95% of patients were screened for TB at enrolment and at each 3-month follow-up visit. Thirty-four (11%) patients were diagnosed with TB, of whom 27 (79%) were identified in the first 6 months. This study assessed serial ICF in routine settings, showing that TB screening had its largest diagnostic yield in the first 6 months.”
“Evaluation of risk factors for survival in patients surgically treated for symptomatic spinal epidural metastases (SEM).