Metabolic Profile of Individuals with and without Type 2 Diabetes from Sub-Saharan Africa.

Epidemiological data predicts that sub-Saharan Africa will have the largest increase in type 2 diabetes (T2D) prevalence over the next two decades. Metabolomics studies have identified biomarkers that could improve T2D diagnosis and follow-up. However, no studies have characterized the metabolome of people from sub-Saharan Africa. Plasma samples from Senegalese individuals with T2D (n = 31) or without T2D (n = 34) were compared using measures of oxidative stress damage and plasma antioxidant enzyme activity and mass-spectrometry-based metabolomics analyses. Results showed that glucose, lactate, and tricarboxylic acid metabolites (fumarate, malate, and succinate) were increased in the T2D group, suggesting alterations in glycolysis and mitochondrial dysfunction. Several amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, valine, and tryptophan) and long-to-very-long-chain fatty acids were higher in the T2D group. Finally, elevated levels of ketone bodies and acylcarnitines were observed along with increased levels of oxidative stress damage and antioxidant activity. In conclusion, the T2D group exhibited modifications in metabolites previously shown to be associated with T2D risk in populations from other areas of the world. Future studies should seek to test whether these metabolites could be used as predictors for T2D-related complications in people from sub-Saharan Africa.

[Study of determinants of rape in minors in the Kolda region of Senegal]. / Etude des déterminants de viols chez les mineurs dans la région de Kolda au Sénégal.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to investigate the determinants of rape among minors in the Kolda region. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical was conducted from 23 December 1992 to 31 December 2011, based on the charts of rape victims under the age of 18 years. Sampling was complete. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed using Epi Info 3.3.2 and R 2.9.2 software, respectively. RESULTS: The study included 162 cases of sexual assault. The mean age of victims was 12.3 +/- 3 years (range: 4-17 years). The mean age of perpetrators of sexual assault was 26.4 +/- 9.5 years and minors accounted for 13% of perpetrators. 54.9% of victims, were raped. Victims of sexual assault knew the perpetrator in 66% of cases and were attacked in broad daylight in 53.4% of cases. The perpetrators were drunk at the time of sexual assault in 15.3% of cases. The assault took place in the bush (14.8%). Twenty eight percent (28%) of rapists were jailed and 38.6% of them were jailed for between 5 and 10 years. Sexual assault in the bush [adjusted OR = 3.46 (1.02-11.77)] and intoxication of the perpetrator at the time of sexual assault [adjusted OR = 3.47 (1.04-11.61)] were associated with a high risk of rape. In contrast, victims who knew their assailants were at a lower risk of rape [adjusted OR = 0.09 (0.03 to 0.24)]. CONCLUSION: Extension of this study to the national scale would provide health and judicial authorities with an overview of sexual assault among minors, to allow more effective prevention at the national level.

[A no scarring persistent skin lesion for 3 years pyoderma gangrenosum]. / Une lesion cutanée persistante non cicatricielle depuis 3 ans pyoderma gangrenosum.

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare non-infectious neutrophilic dermatosis often unknowed. It usually presents with inflammatory skin ulcer, very painful, with rapid evolution. It is commonly found in a context of malignancy, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatic and/or haematological disease. Its diagnosis is very often late after multiple therapeutic failures. We report a case of pyoderma gangrenosum whose diagnosis was not obvious. A patient was admitted to our department for a persistent dermatological lesion and adverse evolution despite debridements and the administration of antibiotics. He was followed for prostate cancer, high blood pressure and asthma. Due to observed biological abnormalities such as neutrophil leukocytosis with myelocyte and metamyelocyte myeloma, without blood blastosis and normochromic normocytic anemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia was suspected. It was later overturned by the various inconclusive supplementary examinations. This is how the diagnosis of PG was evoked and confirmed by anatomopathological examination showing a histopathological appearance of granulation tissue consistent with pyoderma gangrenosum and no sign of malignancy. The institution of a corticotherapy treatment resulted in the cure.

Evaluation of agreement between hemoglobin A1c, fasting glucose, and fructosamine in Senegalese individuals with and without sickle-cell trait.

Fasting glucose (FG) and glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) perform sub-optimally in people of African origin, especially in individuals with sickle-cell trait (SCT). The purpose of this study was to compare the relationships between HbA1c, FG, and fructosamine in individuals from Senegal with and without SCT. HbA1c, FG, and fructosamine were measured in 203 adults from Senegal (100 control: 45 with type 2 diabetes (T2D); 103 SCT: 51 with T2D). Significant, positive correlations were observed between HbA1c and FG, fructosamine and FG, and fructosamine and HbA1c in both groups. The limits of agreement were inappropriately large in both groups for the Bland-Altman plots of HbA1c and FG (control: -95.97 to 83.97%; SCT: -115.9 to 91.52%), fructosamine and FG (control: -100.6 to 99.89%; SCT: -105.6 to 100.6%), and fructosamine and HbA1c (control: -52.03 to 38.98%; SCT: -88.04 to 71.41%). In both groups, the greatest proportion of subjects were considered above the clinical cut-point for hyperglycemia when fructosamine was used as the criterion (control: 33%; SCT: 44.6%), and the lowest percentage of subjects were classified as over the clinical cut-point when HbA1c was used as the criterion (control: 21%; SCT: 27.7%).Substantial disparities between HbA1c, FG, and fructosamine were observed in both groups, and these differences were exaggerated in the SCT group. Therefore, these three biomarkers should not be considered to be interchangeable measures of glycemic control. These biomarkers should be used thoughtfully, and special care should be taken when using them in individuals with SCT.

Increased Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes-Related Complications in Combined Type 2 Diabetes and Sickle Cell Trait.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is rapidly increasing in sub-Saharan Africa, where sickle cell trait (SCT) is also frequent. Although SCT is generally considered a benign condition, evidence suggests that SCT could exaggerate vascular dysfunction in T2D. However, it remains unclear whether SCT could increase the risk of the development of T2D complications. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine whether T2D complications were more prevalent among Senegalese individuals with SCT and T2D than among those with T2D only. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Rates of hypertension, retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, peripheral artery disease, and impaired renal function as well as arterial stiffness, blood rheology, and concentrations of plasma advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and cytokines were compared between groups of Senegalese individuals with combined SCT and T2D (T2D-SCT) (n = 60), T2D (n = 52), SCT (n = 53), and neither T2D nor SCT (control) (n = 56). Human aortic endothelial cell (HAEC) expression of inflammatory and adhesion factors was measured after treatment with tumor necrosis factor-α and subjects' plasma. Effects of AGE inhibition or tiron on HAEC expression of E-selectin were measured. RESULTS: Retinopathy, hypertension, and reduced renal function were more prevalent, and arterial stiffness, blood viscosity at high shear rates, and thixotropic index were higher, in the SCT group compared with the other groups. Multivariable analysis showed that plasma AGE concentration was significantly associated with arterial stiffness. E-selectin expression was elevated in HAECs treated with T2D-SCT plasma compared with the other groups, but AGE inhibition reversed this. CONCLUSIONS: SCT could potentially augment the risk of the development of T2D-related complications, including retinopathy, nephropathy, and hypertension.

[Hyperthyroidism in children at the University Hospital in Dakar (Senegal)]. / L'hyperthyroïdie de l'enfant au centre hospitalier universitaire de Dakar (Sénégal).

INTRODUCTION: Hyperthyroidism in children is rare and constitutes a problem because of its psychosomatic impact. This study aimed to present an overview of the state of knowledge on these aspects in children from Dakar. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, descriptive study over a period of 15 years. We evaluated the epidemiological, clinical and etiologic aspects of hyperthyroidism in children. RESULTS: 239 patients were included in the study with a prevalence of 2.4%, a sex ratio (M/F) of 0.36 and an average age of 10.8 years. The inclusion criteria were being the eldest son in a family(26.3%), being advanced (36.9%) or delayed (12.5%) in maturation, having short stature (40.1%). It was caused by Graves' disease in 90.3% of cases with psychoaffective factor in 22.1%. On a clinical point of view tachycardia (92.4%), goiter (91.1%), exophthalmia (81.8%), weight loss (69.8%) prevailed but with bed-wetting (30.2%) and psychic manifestations (3.1%). Cardiovascular and cutaneous manifestations were positively associated with age (p < 0.05). Goiter was associated with female sex (p = 0.005), cardiovascular (p = 0.02), neuropsychic (p = 0.03), skin (p = 0.03) signs and diarrhea (p = 0.03). Free T4 was correlated with age (p = 0.007), diarrhea (p = 0.021), anxiety (p = 0.024), heart rate (p = 0.00) and Graves' disease (p = 0.04). More voluminous the goiter, higher the free T4 (p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Hyperthyroidism in children differs from that in adults because of induction factors, growth disturbances and enuresis. Age and sex seem to favor the clinical picture of thyrotoxicosis and its associated signs.

Efficacy and safety of denosumab for the treatment of osteoporosis: A systematic review.

Denosumab is an anti-RANK ligand (RANKL) monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis and prevention of skeletal metastasis complications. Administered subcutaneously every 6 months, it reduces the risk of vertebral fracture by 70% and of hip fracture by 40%. Its safety profile is acceptable. Denosumab may be used to treat patients with moderate to severe renal insufficiency. It has anti-fracture activity equivalent to that of zoledronic acid, but no residual effect, and no action at all beyond 6 months. In France, denosumab is reimbursed as a second-line treatment after a first attempt with bisphosphonate.