title: Characteristics of inflammatory bowel disease in three tertiary health centers in southern Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to two chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract which is generally believed to be rare in most African countries. The objectives of the current study were to present the experience of three tertiary gastroenterology centers in southern part of Nigeria on IBD, highlighting the age distribution of the patients seen, management and the impact on the quality of their life in university-based community-type practices in Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective review of charts of inflammatory bowel disease seen between January 2007 and June 2010 at three teaching hospitals in Southern Nigeria. Diagnosis of IBD was made from clinical manifestations, colonoscopic and histopathological findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the study period, 12 patients presented with clinical features consistent with inflammatory bowel disease. There were 8 (66.7%) males and 4 (33.3%) females and had ages ranged from 18 years to 80 years with a median of 26.5 years. Eight (66.7%) patients had ulcerative colitis while 4(33.3%) had Crohn's disease. Ten (83.3%) patients had severe disease with main clinical features being recurrent diarrhoea and passage of mucoid bloody stools. All the patients had treatments with sulphasalazine or mesalazine, steroids and antibiotics with good responses. One patient died following the occurrence of toxic megacolon.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although IBD is uncommon in Nigeria, high index of suspicion is necessary by attending physicians managing patients with recurrent passage of mucoid bloody stools. Prompt gastroenterological referral and judicious use of colonoscopy and biopsy will assist in making the diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, PMB 5538, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: O I
authors.initials: OI
authors.lastname: Alatise
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Otegbayo
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Nwosu
authors.forename: O O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Lawal
authors.forename: S O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Ola
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Anyanwu
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Ndububa
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akere
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Odike
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Agbakwuru
authors.forename: O M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Soyemi
authors.forename: U C
authors.initials: UC
authors.lastname: Okonkwo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001706:Biopsy; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents