Quality of life in black African patients with keloid scars.

A keloid scar is a benign skin tumor and we aimed to assess the Quality of Life (QoL) of black Africans with keloid scars based on the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study in the department of dermatology of the teaching hospital of Treichville in Ivory Coast. We recruited 132 patients with keloid and 3612 dermatoses without keloid: The prevalence was 3.50% (132/3753). We included 120 patients aged from 16 to 63 years old, the sex ratio was 0.46 (38/82) and the mean age was 34.20 years. Keloid scars were mostly secondary to skin trauma in 30.00 % and infection in 21.67%. The commonest site was the ear in 29.17 %. We reported Keloid with pain in 53.33% and pruritus in 95.00%. We observed psychological impact in 65.83%. The DLQI scores were moderate and high in 61.66 %. QoL was impacted significantly when keloid was associated with pain (p=0.046), pruritus (p=0.81) and functional disorders (p=0.29). The DLQI score could be a valuable tool to assess QoL in black African patients with keloid, for better treatment option.

[Cutaneous depigmentation in black female population for cosmetic purposes: results of a KAP survey conducted in Abidjan (Ivory Coast)]. / Dépigmentation cutanée cosmétique des femmes noires: résultats d'une enquête CAP à Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire).

INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous depigmentation for cosmeticis purposes is a widespread practice among black African women. It has many complications that have been well documented for decades. However, the reasons of practitioners are not well known. The aim of our study was to understand the motivating reasons of these women in order to conduct a communication campaign for behavior change. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional KAP survey (Knowledge/Attitudes/Practices) at the Dermatology Department of the University Hospital of Treichville (Abidjan) Data were analyzed using Epi Info 3.5.1. and 6.04 software. RESULTS: Practitioners were mostly young urban single, literate and professionally active women (20-40 years). Cutaneous depigmentation and its consequences were known to women, however, they thought that women with the lightest complexion were more attractive. They were influenced by media and friends. The most frequently observed complications were exogenous ochronosis and stretch marks. The local means of communication remained what essentially sustained the information needs of these women, because they help them to change their behavior. CONCLUSION: The development of local communication strategies for behavior change seems necessary to stop the phenomenon of cutaneous depigmentation for cosmetic purposes in black female population in Abidjan.

Epidemiological, Clinical, and Paraclinic Aspect of Cutaneous Sarcoidosis in Black Africans.

The specific objectives were to identify the epidemiology of cutaneous sarcoidosis and describe the clinical and laboratory aspects of the disease. Materials and Methods. We performed a descriptive cross-sectional study involving 24 referred cases of cutaneous sarcoidosis in 25 years (1990-2014) collected at Venereology Dermatology Department of the University Hospital of Treichville (Abidjan) both in consultation and in hospitalization. Results. The hospital frequency was one case per year. The average age was 42 years, ranging from 9 to 64. The sex ratio was 1. The shortest time interval between the appearance of the skin lesion and consultation of Dermatology Department at CHU Treichville was 3 months. The elementary lesions were represented primarily by a papule (18 cases), placard (3 cases), and nodule (2 cases) and mainly sat on the face and neck in 8 cases (38%). Extra cutaneous lesions were dominated by ganglion and respiratory involvement with 5 cases each followed by musculoskeletal damage in 3 cases. Chest radiography showed abnormality in 13 cases (54%). The pulmonary function test performed in 13 patients found 7 cases (54%) having restrictive ventilatory syndrome and 6 cases (46%) being normal. A tuberculin anergy was found in 11 cases (61%).

Pharmacotherapeutic aspect of antibiotic therapy during acute community-acquired pneumonia in adults at the University Hospital of Cocody (Abidjan).

OBJECTIVE: Acute community-acquired pneumonia in Côte d'Ivoire, mainly in the pneumology units, is the second most common cause of hospitalization after tuberculosis. This study aimed to evaluate the compliance of antibiotic therapy during bacterial acute community-acquired pneumonia with international guidelines serving as frame of reference at the University Hospital of Cocody. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out a descriptive retrospective and analytic study on 62 hospitalized patients from December 1, 2008 to November 30, 2010 in the Pneumophtisiology department at the University Hospital of Cocody (Abidjan). The prescription of antibiotics was compared with the recommendations of the 15th consensus conference on anti-infectious therapy by the Société de Pathologie Infectieuse de Langue Francaise (SPILF) (French Speaking Society of Infectious Pathology) held in 2006. RESULTS: The main antibiotics prescribed were amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (42.27%), netilmicin (34.5%) and ciprofloxacin (6%). The antibiotic therapy diagrams were dominated by an antibiotic bitherapy; the association of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid+netilmicin was observed in 80.64% of the prescriptions. An antibiotic monotherapy was reported in 14.52% of the prescriptions. Apyrexia at 72 hours was obtained with 64% of the patients with nonstop antibiotic treatment, 24% of them presented a lack of apyrexia, and 12% of them died. The lack of apyrexia at 72 hours treatment correlated with concomitant administration of cotrimoxazole with prophylactic doses among HIV positive patients. The level of the compliance with the SPILF recommendations is low (3.6%). CONCLUSION: Thus, our results convey the necessity to draw up national recommendations because of the specific realities of countries with limited incomes.