Faustin Atemkeng Tsatedem

Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is a slowly evolving multifactorial disorder that affects joints, particularly the knee. Periodontitis is an infection of the tissues supporting the teeth, leading to significant tooth loss. Recent studies suggest an association between Knee OA (KOA) and periodontitis, with the prevalence of periodontitis increasing with the severity of KOA. We aimed to determine the prevalence and distribution of periodontitis and the association between the severity of KOA and periodontitis in subjects living with KOA. Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in an outpatient clinic at the Rheumatology unit of the Douala General Hospital between October 2022 and June 2023. Data were collected using a questionnaire, an endo-buccal examination grid, radiological images and medical records. A multivariate analysis using logistic regression was performed, including the relevant variables in the bivariate analysis. Results We included 253 participants (201 women) with a median age of 63 years [54–70]. The mean VAS was 52.7 ± 27.9 mm. The mean Lequesne index was 12.25 ± 5.03. Kellgren and Lawrence (K&L) grade 2 was predominant (61.7%), as was tricompartimental KOA (85.4%). The prevalence of periodontitis was 62.5%. Periodontitis was significantly associated with radiological K&L grade 4 (OR: 5.39 [1.27–28.98]; p = 0.03), poor oral hygiene (OR: 34 [7.46277.71]; p < 0.001), visits to the dentist [in case of problems] (OR: 8.54 [3.09–28.58]; p < 0.001) and brushing time (OR: 21.93 [5.66-123.24]; p < 0.001). Conclusion Periodontitis is common in patients with KOA in Cameroon and is associated with the severity of KOA and poor oral hygiene.

Introduction: Work related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are currently one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. However, information on their prevalence and associated factors remains insufficient in Cameroon. Objective: Determine the prevalence and associated factors of WRMSDs among the staff of the University of Dschang (UDs). Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study from 05 February to 18 March 2020 during which a modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was administered face-to-face with participants. A convenient type non-probability sampling was used for the selection of participants. The data collected were analyzed with EPI info 7.2.2.6. A bi-variate analysis was conducted to determine factors associated with WRMSDs. Results: We enrolled 425 participants. The 12-month prevalence of WRMSDs was 93.88%. Almost half of the participants (49.18%) were prevented from their normal activities due to WRMSDs in the past 12 months. The most affected body region was the lower back with a prevalence of 71. 53%. The occurrence of WRMSDs at the UDs was significantly associated with: stress (PConclusion: UDs staff is a high-risk population for WRMSDs. It is imperative to protect this human capital by preventing and treating WRMSDs.

Introduction: Knee flexion after total arthroplasty is not always satisfactory. Our hypothesis: many factors can influence it. Some of these factors have been studied, but with controversial results. Methodology: It was a monocentric prospective and comparative study. All primary total knee replacement were included. For each factor, we compared a group of patients with above mean flexion to those with smaller flexion, using comparison of means, regression analysis and the chi square test. Results: We had 110 arthroplasties from 88 patients. Three preoperative factors affected the outcome: pre-operative knee flexion < 110°, flexum deformity > 5° and a body mass index above 30kg/m². The respective Pearson coefficient value for these three factors were +0.50, +0.05, and -0.13.The chi square values were respectively 12.019 (pConclusion: Such studies should be carried out in other settings to prepare later meta-analysis. The effect of early physiotherapy in knee arthritis treatment in preventing knee stiffness at the time of total knee replacement should be evaluated.

Introduction: The use of local natural products, such as honey, is empirically prescribed in the treatment of burns and several medical conditions. Aim: This was conducted to evaluate the burn wound healing activity of three types of local types of honey on rats. Materials and Methods: This was a comparative experimental study held at the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Yaoundé I. We used 3 varieties of honey designated by their cities of origin: Ngaoundal, Okuh, and Yaounde. Brulex® (Zinc Oxide) was our reference medicine against burns. Male rats of the Wistar strain have served as animal material on which the burns were performed. There were 36 individuals divided into 4 groups of 9 rats per batch for treatment with reference medicine and 3 honey samples. We realized experimental burns under general anesthesia by a heated mass. The surface areas were calculated using Autodesk AutoCAD 2014® software. The photos were taken using an XTIGI V10® telephone. At the various dates selected, the wound surfaces calculated for each batch were expressed in the form of the mean ± standard deviation. Results: There wa no significant variation in pH and free acidity. Okuh honey is the most acidic (pH 5.73 ± 0.682). Concerning the Brix degree, the least sweet honey is that of Okuh (73.94 ± 0.115). There is a significant difference in the Brix degree between these three samples (p=0.00000009; Table 1). The richest honey in metabolites was that of Ngaoundal, with polyphenols of 323.79±53.57 mEq/kg, flavonoids of 47.45±3.84 mEq/kg and total flavonols of 21 .82±0.90 mEq/kg. Concerning the evolution of the healing process, the group of rats treated with Brulex® showed the largest injured surfaces on day 0 (8.83 ± 2.34 cm²), the least extensive being those of the Okuh group (6.83 ± 0.66 cm²). On the 24th day, the smallest areas were in order those of the Ngaoundal, Yaounde, and Okuh lots. While the rats in the Brulex® and negative control lots were not yet completely cured. On histology sections, Okuh, Yaoundé, and Ngaoundal groups had slight fibrosis, hypervascularization and an abundance of immune cells. Conclusion: The three honey type seem effective in burn wound care and can be suggested.