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Biomedical subjects

A C Wicks

Publications and source records attributed to A C Wicks.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1976

Tropical enteropathy in Rhodesia.

Tropical enteropathy, which may be related to tropical sprue, has been described in many developing countries including parts of Africa. The jejunal changes of enteropathy are seen in Rhodesians of all social and racial categories. Xylose excretion, however, is related to socioeconomic status, but not race. Upper socioeconomic Africans and Europeans excrete significantly more xylose than lower socioeconomic Africans. Vitamin B12 and fat absorption are normal, suggesting predominant involvement of the proximal small intestine. Tropical enteropathy in Rhodesia is similar to that seen in Nigeria but is associated with less malabsorption than is found in the Caribbean, the Indian subcontinent, and South East Asia. The possible aetiological factors are discussed. It is postulated that the lighter exposure of upper class Africans and Europeans to repeated gastrointestinal infections may accound for their superior xylose absorption compared with Africans of low socioeconomic circumstances. It is further suggested that the milder enteropathy seen in Africa may be explained by a lower prevalence of acute gastroenteritis than in experienced elsewhere in the tropics.

Humans↗
PubMed1975

Comparison of fibreoptic endoscopy in acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage in Africans and Europeans.

The results of endoscopy in acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage were compared in a group of 138 Africans and one of 84 Europeans. Contrary to widely held clinical opinion, the incidence of gastric and duodenal ulceration was similar in the two races. Peptic ulcers were the main source of bleeding in both groups and were surprisingly more common than varices in the Africans. Bleeding from varices, however, was far more common in the Africans than in the Europeans. Stomal ulcers were confined to Europeans. Gastric erosions, often attributed to herbal medicines, were more common in the Africans but the difference was not significant. The study was not designed to determine reduced mortality since the introduction of endoscopy, but management, especially in the Africans, was aided by early recognition of haemorrhage from oesophageal varices and acute gastric erosions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Leiomyosarcoma of the stomach.

Leiomyosarcomas comprise only 1-3 percent of malignant growths of the stomach. In the case presented, the correct diagnosis was not made pre-operatively. This article emphasises that, although they are rare, these tumours have certain characteristics which make possible a correct pre-operative diagnosis. Only 1 Black African patient has hitherto been described.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Chronic pancreatitis in African diabetics.

Steatorrhea due to chronic pancreatitis was found in 23 percent of a consecutive series of 107 new african diabetics; 3 had pancreatic calcification. Of 16, 14 had definitely abnormal exocirne secretion function testing using secreation pancreozymin stimultion. Themorphology and function of the small intestine were normal by local standards. When compared with diabetics without steatorrhea they weighed less, their fasting blood sugars were lower, and their insulin requirements were greater. High alcoholic intake might be significant cause, but the incidence was similar in the diabetics without steatorrhea. No evidence of childhood or adult malnutrition was established. The etiology of this high incidence of chronic pancreatitis among african diabetics remains unexplained.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Gastrointestinal phytobezoars in Africans.

Fourteen gastrointestinal phytobezoars are presented. There have not been previous reports in Africans. Eleven were gastric and mimicked wither peptic ulceration or carcinoma of the stomach. The classical barium meal appearance of a mobile filing defect was present in the majority but a confident diagnois of carcinoma of the stomach was made in two cases in whom fiberoptic endoscopy established the correct diagnoisis. The bezoars were composed of vegatable material from either a tuber or rhizome. Three ileal bezoars presented with acute intestinal obstruction; two were probably the result of incompletely masticated maize porridge.

Adult↗