Alphonce Baraka

• Doctor of Medicine
• Physician at Benjamin mkapa hospital

Dyke-Davidoff-Masson Syndrome (DDMS) is a rare neurological disorder resulting from an insult to the developing brain in utero or during early life which is characterized by refractory seizures and a wide variety of deficits. Due to its rarity, the condition is often overlooked although a detailed history and imaging can help distinguish it from ot...

Background Non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) is a medical emergency and is associated with poor outcomes. In our setting, there are increased trends of upper gastrointestinal diseases including liver cirrhosis with challenges in management; however, the published data are limited. This study aimed to assess the endoscopic findin...

Introduction Low-dose of aspirin has been widely used by health providers as primary prevention of major cardiovascular events, its benefit counterbalanced by side effects The synergistic interaction between H. pylori infection and LDA use has been identified as a significant risk factor for peptic ulcer disease, chronic gastritis, perforation, ble...

Key Clinical Message Despite the name, eosinophilia is not essential for diagnosing drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS syndrome). Early recognition and stopping the offending drug are vital to managing this condition, as it can otherwise lead to high mortality rates.

Introduction Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a rapidly growing public health concern due to its association with metabolic disorders and liver-related complications. There is paucity of data on the burden of MAFLD in Tanzania. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of MAFLD among adult particip...

Background and Aims Stroke is the leading cause of disability and the second most common cause of death after ischemic heart disease worldwide. Understanding predictors of early poststroke mortality provides opportunities for interventions and favorable outcomes. This study aimed to determine the incidence and predictors of 30‐day mortality among p...

Introduction Cardiorenal anemia syndrome (CRAS) poses significant complications in heart failure (HF) patients, often leading to unfavourable outcomes but, published data are limited. This study assessed the prevalence, clinical correlates, and outcomes of CRAS among patients with HF who attended the Benjamin Mkapa Hospital (BMH) in Dodoma, Tanzani...

Introduction Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare form of heart failure occurring during late pregnancy or within five months postpartum, its etiology remaining elusive. While typically characterized by left ventricular dysfunction, it may present with intracardiac thrombi, raising the risk of systemic embolization. Here, we report an unusual...

Key clinical message Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder is an autoimmune disease, rarely presents with antiphospholipid syndrome. Diagnosis and management of NMOSD are challenging in the background of diverse presentations, especially in resource‐limited settings. Abstract Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a progressive demyeli...

Key Clinical Message Gastric adenocarcinoma can present uncommonly. This emphasizes the need for intensified vigilance in the absence of typical gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly in areas where infectious diseases are common. Abstract Gastric adenocarcinoma, a common advanced‐age global malignancy is typically associated with abdominal sympt...

Introduction Stroke survivors develop cognitive impairment, which significantly impacts their quality of life, their families, and the community as a whole but not given attention. This study aims to determine the incidence and predictors of post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) among adult stroke patients admitted to a tertiary hospital in Dodom...

Background Dyke-Davidoff-Masson Syndrome (DDMS) is a rare neurological disorder resulting from an insult to the developing brain in utero or during early life which is characterized by refractory seizures and a wide variety of deficits. Due to its rarity, the condition is often overlooked although a detailed history and imaging can help distinguish...

Background Cardiorenal anemia syndrome (CRAS) is a common complication among patients with heart failure and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. However, there is a paucity of published data concerning CRAS, despite of significant increase in heart failure patients attending medical services in developing countries. This study aims to assess...

Introduction Cardiac Dyssynchrony is prevalent among patients with heart failure with high cost of care and potentially poor outcomes. Nevertheless, little is known about cardiac dyssynchrony among heart failure patients, especially in developing countries. This study aims at assessing the predictors and outcomes of cardiac dyssynchrony among heart...

Key Clinical Message Sickle cell disease (SCD) rarely presents with acute soft head syndrome (ASHS) often posing a diagnostic dilemma. Recovery is typically spontaneous, however, in the context of lack of awareness and limited brain imaging it could potentially lead to poor outcome. Abstract ASHS is a rare complication of SCD, invariably occurring...

Background: Cardiorenal anemia syndrome (CRAS) is a common complication among patients with heart failure and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. However, there is a paucity of published data concerning CRAS, despite of significant increase in heart failure patients attending medical services in developing countries. This study aims to asses...

Key Clinical Message Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) has many clinical features overlapping with other Parkinson syndromes and differentiation on clinical ground is difficult. This case highlights how a brain MRI can help diagnose PSP in settings with limited resources where histological diagnosis is difficult. Abstract Progressive supranucle...

Introduction Stroke patients develop cognitive impairment that, significantly impacting their quality of life, their families, and the community as a whole, but they are not given attention. This study aims to determine the prevalence and predictors of post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) among adult stroke patients admitted to a tertiary hospit...

Background Stroke is the leading cause of disability and the second most common cause of death after ischemic heart disease worldwide. A better understanding of the predictors of early post-stroke mortality provides opportunity for interventions that promote favourable post-stroke outcomes. Objective This study aimed to determine incidence and ris...

Introduction : Cardiac Dyssynchrony is prevalent among patients with heart failure with high cost of care and potentially poor outcomes. Nevertheless, little is known about cardiac dyssynchrony among heart failure patients, especially in developing countries. This study aims at assessing the predictors and outcomes of cardiac dyssynchrony among hea...

Introduction Neurocognitive deficits after stroke are a common manifestation and pose a significant impact on the quality of life for patients and families; however, little attention is given to the burden and associated impact of cognitive impairment following stroke. The study aims to determine the prevalence and predictors of post-stroke cogniti...