Browsing by Author "Nassali, Gorretti"

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    Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 expression and socio-demographic, clinical, and histopathological characteristics in gastric carcinoma at St Francis Hospital Nsambya, Uganda
    (PubMed Central, 2025-09-26) Wanda, Steven; Nassali, Gorretti; Bbosa, Brian; Basimbe, Francis; Akulu, Joviah; Nsamba, Davis; Nimusiima, Praise; Muhumuza, Joshua; Othieno, Emmanuel; Okuku, Dancan Maxwel
    Gastric carcinoma is a significant global health burden with diverse clinicopathological features and molecular alterations influencing prognosis and treatment. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression is a critical biomarker in gastric carcinoma, guiding targeted therapeutic interventions. This study aimed to assess HER2 expression and its association with clinicopathological characteristics of gastric carcinoma. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using consecutive sampling to retrieve gastric carcinoma tissue blocks that met the inclusion criteria. A total of 136 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue blocks from patients aged 18 years and above (2013–2023) at St. Francis Hospital Nsambya were analyzed. HER2 expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry (IHC) with a standardized test kit. Associations between HER2 expression and demographic and histopathological characteristics were analyzed. Among 136 patients, the mean age was 59.63 years, with 48.53% aged 48–67 years. Most were male (63.24%) and from the Central region (60.70%). The intestinal subtype was the most common (78.68%), with 52.21% of tumors poorly differentiated, and tumors predominantly located in the antrum (32.35%), cardia (30.15%), and body (24.26%). Regarding HER2 expression, 11.76% were positive (3+), 2.21% equivocal (2+), and 86.03% negative (0 or 1+). HER2 positivity was significantly associated with residence in the Western region (aPR = 3.67; 95% CI: 1.33–10.11; p = 0.02) and with mixed-type tumors (aPR = 3.00; 95% CI: 1.70–5.30; p < 0.001). HER2 overexpression in gastric carcinoma was low. Nevertheless, the findings underscore the importance of routine HER2 testing and access to targeted therapy. Observed associations point to potential high-risk groups warranting further investigation in larger, multicenter studies.
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    Inguinodynia and Inguinal Hernia Recurrence Amongst Ugandan Patients Who Underwent Mesh Versus Non-mesh Inguinal Hernia Repair
    (CC BY-NC-ND, 2020-11) Akim, Koma; Nassali, Gorretti; Basimbe, Francis
    Introduction: The prevalence of inguinal hernia recurrence dropped tremendously with the advent of mesh hernioplasty. However, the prevalence of inguinodynia has increased. Objective: To determine and compare the prevalence of chronic postoperative inguinal pain (inguinodynia) and recurrence amongst patients who underwent mesh versus no mesh inguinal hernia repair in St. Francis Hospitals Nsambya and Naggalama in Uganda. Method: This was a cohort retrospective study conducted at St Francis Hospitals Nsambya and Naggalama. The sample size was two hundred and two patients. A consecutive sampling technique with replacement of missing charts was used. The Principal Investigator and the research assistants then made telephone calls to the patients inviting them for an interview in the two hospitals, and for those who could not attend questionnaires were administered to them on phone. This was done sequentially until the sample size for each hospital was reached. If a given telephone was not available or went unanswered, we telephoned the next patient in the sequence on the register. Inguinodynia was assessed using the Numerical Rating Pain Score (NPS). Recurrence was assessed by physical examination. Results: Two hundred and two patients were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of chronic postoperative inguinal pain amongst patients who underwent mesh versus non-mesh inguinal hernia repair were 24.4% and 8.5% respectively and the recurrence rates were 3.1% and 4.2% respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of chronic postoperative pain amongst patients who underwent hernioplasty was higher than those who underwent non-mesh inguinal hernia repair. There was statistically no difference in recurrence rates between patients who underwent mesh versus non-mesh inguinal hernia repair in both hospitals.