Awa Cheikh Ndao

Pulmonary fibrosis indicative of granulomatosis with polyangiitis initially believed to be sjögren's syndrome

Abstract Wegener’s disease, currently called granulomatosis with polyangiitis, is a systemic necrotizing vasculitis of small vessels. It is typically associated with nodular opacity type pulmonary lesions of varying size

Systemic Diseases in Dakar (Senegal): Spectrum, Epidemiological Aspect and Diagnostic Time-Limit

Introduction: Systemic diseases have been the subject of few studies in the African literature and have probably been under-estimated. The objective of our study was to specify their spectrum, their epidemiological aspects and diagnostic delay in Internal Medicine Departments of Dakar (Senegal). Material and Method: It was a multicentric retrospective and descriptive study regarding all systemic diseases during 119 months from 1st January 2005 to 30 November 2014 in 5 hospital centers down Dakar. Systemic diseases were retained according to their international consensus criteria. Results: During the studying period, 726 patients were included with 632 women and 94 men (sex ratio of 0.14). The average age was 43.76 years. Inflammatory rheumatoid family history was noted in 10.06% of cases. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was the predominant affection, recorded on 564 patients, isolated or associated with other systemic diseases. It was followed in a decreasing order, in the systemic auto-immune diseases sub-groupe, by systemic lupus (56 cases), Sjogren’s syndrome (32 cases), Systemic Sclerosis (26 cases), Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (21 cases), Undifferentiated connective tissue diseases (20 cases), Anti Phospholipid’s syndrome (6 cases) and Mixed connective tissue disease (6 cases). A diagnosis of systemic vasculitis was recorded in 19 patients. The other systemic affections were represented by systemic sarcoidosis (8 cases), Adult-onset Still’s disease (03 cases), amyloidosis (02 cases) and 02 cases of systemic syndrome associated to immunodeficiency. The mean diagnostic delay duration before the diagnostic was 3.46 years. Conclusion: Systemic diseases in internal medicine are characterized by their diversity, the clear predominance of RA, and significant diagnostic delay.

Profil diagnostique et évolutif du myélome multiple au Sénégal: étude monocentrique de 2005 à 2016

Introduction Accessibility to innovative multiple myeloma therapies is limited in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to describe the diagnostic and evolutionary features observed during treatment of our patients with myeloma. Methods We conducted a retrospective, descriptive, analytical study (2005 - 2016) of patients with myeloma included in the study based on International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) Criteria (2003,2014) at the Hopital Aristide Le Dantec (Senegal). Results We collected data from 136 medical records (69 men, 67 women) of patients with an average age of 59 years ± 10.1 years, who were less than 65 years of age in 69.1% of cases. Tell-tale signs included bone pain (96.3%), renal failure (36.8%), infection (23.5%), pathological fracture (17.6%), spinal cord compression (16.9%) and malignant hypercalcaemia (16.2%). Isotopic antiglobulin test showed that anti-IgG could be detected in 61.3% of cases and Kappa in 65% of cases. Patients were classified stage III (59.4%) and I-II (40.6%)of the index staging system. The median survival of patients under conventional traitement (Méphalan-Prédnisone: 67.6%, innovative: 5.9%) was 20 months (1-78 months). Survival rates are better in the absence of neurological and infectious complications and for patients with score I-II of the index Staging System. Conclusion In our study, multiple myeloma was frequently diagnosed before age 65, at advanced stage of tumor mass. Early detection and access to adequate therapies could improve overall survival.Introduction Les thérapeutiques innovantes du myélome multiple sont peu accessibles en Afrique subsaharienne. Le but de cette étude est de décrire les particularités diagnostiques et évolutives observées dans notre pratique de prise en charge des myélomateux. Méthodes Une étude rétrospective (2005 - 2016) descriptive à visée analytique, mené à l’hôpital Le Dantec (Sénégal) a concerné les myélomateux inclus selon les critères de l’International Myeloma Working Group (2003, 2014). Résultats Ont été colligés 136 dossiers (69 hommes, 67 femmes) de patients d’âge moyen 59 ans ± 10,1 ans et qui ont un âge inférieur à 65 ans dans 69,1% des cas. Les signes révélateurs ont été des douleurs osseuses (96,3%), une insuffisance rénale (36,8%), une infection (23,5%), une fracture pathologique (17,6%), une compression médullaire (16,9%), et une hypercalcémie maligne (16,2%). L’isotype a été IgG dans 61,3% des cas et Kappa dans 65% des cas. Les malades ont été classés stade III (59,4%) et I-II (40,6%) de l’index staging system. Sous traitement conventionnel (Méphalan-Prédnisone: 67,6%, innovant: 5,9%), la survie médiane a été de 20 mois (1-78 mois). La survie est meilleure, en l’absence de complications neurologiques, infectieuses et au score I-II de l’Index Staging System. Conclusion Dans notre étude, le myélome multiple est fréquemment diagnostiqué avant 65 ans, au stade de forte masse tumorale. La survie globale peut être améliorée par un dépistage précoce et un accès aux thérapeutiques adéquates.

[Disease-modifying treatment for inflammatory rheumatism in sub-Saharan Africa: outcome at 6 months of 205 Senegalese patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

RATIONALE Few data are available on the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in sub-Saharan Africa, where the diagnosis is often substantially delayed. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are more effective when started early. Biotherapies are not available. Given the socioeconomic constraints in sub-Saharan Africa, treatments must be selected based on locally available resources. The objective of this study was to evaluate outcomes 6 months after initiation of conventional DMARDs in Senegalese patients with RA. METHODS We retrospectively studied consecutive RA patients seen at the rheumatology outpatient clinic of the Le Dantec Teaching Hospital, Dakar, Senegal, from January 2005 through June 2009. All patients met the ACR criteria for RA. ACR and EULAR response criteria were evaluated 6 months after treatment initiation. RESULTS The study included 205 patients. Corticosteroids were used in 205 patients, hydroxychloroquine in 190, methotrexate in 137, and sulfasalazine in 11. Combined corticosteroid, methotrexate, and hydroxychloroquine therapy was used in 122 patients and combined corticosteroid and hydroxychloroquine therapy in 63. DMARD treatment was interrupted for at least 5 days per month for 26% of the patients, either because the drugs were out of stock at the local pharmacies and/or because the patients could not afford to purchase them. During the first 6 months of treatment, patients had a mean of 4 clinic visits, and 48% of patients missed at least one scheduled visit. After 6 months, all clinical variables had improved significantly, except the swollen joint count. The ACR20, 50, and 70 response criteria were met in 50%, 31%, and 6.9% of patients, respectively. The EULAR response was good in 53.9% of patients, moderate in 12.7%, and poor in 23.1%. DMARD therapy failed in 10.3% of patients. Half the patients had their treatment modified during the 6-month study period. DMARD therapy was discontinued in 10 patients for the following reasons: plans to become pregnant, n = 5; pregnancy during treatment, n = 2; and tuberculosis, n = 3. CONCLUSION In Senegal, the treatment of RA relies chiefly on variable combinations of methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, and corticosteroids. The six-month outcomes are satisfactory. Biotherapy is required in 7% to 10% of patients, a rate that could be decreased by optimizing patient follow-up. The management of chronic inflammatory joint disease couple be improved despite the limited financial resources in sub-Saharan Africa with better physician training and the incorporation of osteoarticular diseases within a vast information and education program for the general population.