Reliability assessment and validation of the post-acne hyperpigmentation index (PAHPI) in a population from Sub-Saharan Africa in Senegal.

BACKGROUND: A post-acne hyperpigmentation index (PAHPI) has been developed in the United States to better compare therapeutic modalities. Our aim in this study was to validate the PAHPI score in patients with skin type VI from sub-Saharan Africa. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in Dakar, Senegal. Twenty-one patients with Fitzpatrick skin type VI, aged 17 to 55 years, presenting hyperpigmentation secondary to acne were included. Ongoing use of skin bleaching products or acne treatments was allowed. Four trained dermatologists rated the patients using the PAHPI. A narrow-band reflectance spectrophotometer (Mexameter MX-18, Cologne, Germany) was used to measure the degree of pigmentation of involved and adjacent skin on 6 representative facial lesions. RESULTS: The average inter-rater reliability (weighted Kappa) showed substantial agreement for intensity (0.67), moderate agreement for number (0.53) and fair agreement for lesion size (0.28). Inter-rater reliability for the total PAHPI was excellent for both day 1 and day 2 (interclass correlation coefficient of 0.87 and 0.85, respectively; P<0.0001). Intra-rater reliability for total PAHPI ranged from 0.83 to 0.93 (P<0.0001). PAHPI scoring thus demonstrated excellent reliability both between and within raters. The association was moderate to substantial for all raters on both days (range for rho on day 1: 0.531 to 0.815; range for rho on day 2: 0.448 0.762). The correlations between the Mexameter (Courage and Khazaka) measurements and PAHPI scores showed moderate to substantial agreement. CONCLUSION: Although tested primarily in African American women to date, PAHPI is also valid for patients from sub-Saharan Africa.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) associated with cosmetic skin whitening: 8 cases reported in Senegal.

BACKGROUND: The cosmetic use of bleaching products is common among women from sub-Saharan Africa. The most frequently used products are highly potent corticosteroids (clobetasol propionate) and hydroquinone. Herein, we report 8 cases of SCC in women using skin bleaching products for cosmetic purposes. Our aim is to describe the epidemiological, clinical and pathological aspects of the carcinomas observed during the course of skin lightening. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive multicentre study from August 2005 to January 2016 in three dermatology units in Senegal. We included all patients consulting for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma associated with skin bleaching. Sociodemographic, clinical, paraclinical and therapeutic data were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 8 female patients were included. The mean age was 48.1 years (37-63 years). Topical hydroquinone and highly potent corticosteroids were the main products used over the whole body, for an average duration of 20.3 years. No pre-neoplastic skin disease was found in our patients. The clinical aspects of tumours were as follows: cauliflower-like (n=4), ulcerated (n=3) and nodular (n=1). The average development time before consultation was 6.75 months. All the cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas were localized to lichenoid lesions or exogenous ochronotic lesions on photo-exposed areas: face (n=1), neck (n=3) or upper back (n=4). The most common histopathological type was the infiltrating form and there was one case of in situ carcinoma. The outcome was favourable in six of eight patients after surgical resection. Two deaths occurred: one through tumour recurrence and the other through haemorrhagic shock. CONCLUSIONS: From 2005 to 2016, eight cases of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas associated with cosmetic use of bleaching products were reported in Senegal. The mechanism was not fully elucidated and further studies are necessary. These observations provide an additional argument for combating this practice and including skin bleaching among known risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma.

Indifférence congénitale à la douleur chez un garçon de 27 mois

Introduction : Nous rapportons le cas d'une indifférence congénitale à la douleur encore appelée analgésie congénitale ou algo-ataraxie, découverte chez un garçon de 27 mois. Observation : Le patient était né à terme, complètement vacciné avec un développement psychomoteur correct, en phase sensori-motrice et prospective. La mère avait rapporté une absence de pleurs ou de changement de comportement lors des vaccinations. Elle avait aussi rapporté des morsures répétées de la langue et des faces muqueuses des lèvres. Il n'y avait pas d'antécédents familiaux particuliers déclarés. Le diagnostic a été évoqué devant les brûlures répétées des mains associées à des lésions d'automutilation. Il y avait de multiples stigmates d'anciens traumatismes à la tête, au tronc et aux quatre membres. L'examen clinique avait objectivé une indifférence à la douleur et à la chaleur. L'électromyogramme avait mis en évidence une polyneuropathie sensitive des quatre membres.Conclusion : L'indifférence congénitale à la douleur chez un garçon issu d'un milieu défavorisé, en pleine phase sensori-motrice et prospective du développement psychomoteur, pose le problème de sa mise en danger permanente. La prise en charge pluri-disciplinaire et l'éducation parentale doivent préserver l'intégrité physique et assurer un développement psychomoteur correct

[Leg ulcers in sickle cell disease: A retrospective study of 40 cases]. / Ulcères de jambe au cours de la drépanocytose: étude rétrospective de 40 cas.

BACKGROUND: In Africa, studies primarily devoted to chronic leg ulcer due to sickle cell disease are rare. The objectives of the study were to determine the epidemiology, diagnosis and progression of chronic leg ulcers in sickle cell disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 5-year multicentre, retrospective study was conducted in three university hospitals in Dakar. We included all patients with chronic leg ulcers occurring in a setting of sickle cell disease. RESULTS: We identified 40 cases of chronic leg ulcers associated with sickle cell disease, representing 3.4% of the current population of sickle cell patients in our institutions. The average patient age was 25.9 years and the sex ratio was 2.33. Chronic leg ulcer was the presenting feature enabling diagnosis of sickle cell disease in one third of the cases. The average time to consultation from onset was 5.4 years. Pain was reported in 22 cases (48%). Ulcers were isolated in 76% and multiple in 24% of cases. The most common site was the medial malleolus (39%). A CBC allowed identification of anaemia in 35 cases. Haemoglobin electrophoresis was performed and homozygous sickle cell SS disease was identified in 39 cases and heterozygous SC disease in 1 case. Local treatments included physiologic serum, topical antibiotics and skin grafting. Systemic treatment included supplementation with folic acid in all patients, blood transfusion in 16 cases, vasodilators in 11 cases and antibiotics in 25 cases. The outcome was favourable in 61.8% of cases. DISCUSSION: In Dakar, sickle cell disease is a common cause of chronic leg ulcer and is frequently revealed by chronic leg ulcer.

Origine géographique et aspects cliniques de 87 cas de leishmaniose cutanée suivis dans un hôpital de Dakar

Introduction : La leishmaniose cutanée est une anthropozoonose dont l'épidémiologie est en grande partie déterminée par des facteurs écologiques. Notre objectif était d'étudier les aspects épidémiologiques et cliniques récents de la leishmaniose cutanée à l'Institut d'Hygiène Sociale de Dakar. Malades et méthode : Il s'agit d'une étude transversale, sur une période de dix ans, effectuée au service de dermatologie de l'IHS de Dakar. Les malades étaient recrutés à partir des registres de consultation et d'hospitalisation. Résultats : Quatre-vingt-sept cas de leishmaniose cutanée ont été colligés, soit une fréquence hospitalière de 0,07%. Le sex-ratio était de 1,38 et l'âge moyen de 59 ± 17,83 ans, avec des extrêmes de 9 mois à 75 ans. Les formes cliniques étaient : ulcéro-croûteuses dans 46% (n = 23), sporotrichoïdes dans 18% (n = 9), ulcéro-surinfectées dans 18% (n = 9) et autres dans 18% (n = 9). Les localisations étaient essentiellement : membres supérieurs dans 64% des cas et membres inférieurs dans 34% et tête et tronc dans 18% des cas. Le nombre moyen de lésions étaient de 2.6 ± 1.86. Les corps de Leishman étaient retrouvés dans 22,58%. Les cas provenaient de Matam dans 32,55% des cas, Tambacounda dans 27,9%, Fatick dans 13,95%, Thiès dans 9,30% et Dakar dans 1 cas. Discussion : Notre étude montre un probable élargissement de l'aire géographique de la leishmaniose cutanée vers la capitale sénégalaise. Ceci pourrait être dû à un bouleversement écologique secondaire à l'urbanisation galopante et anarchique

[Nutritional status of street children in the district of Manga (Burkina Faso)]. / État nutritionnel des enfants de la rue dans la commune de Manga (Burkina Faso).

Malnutrition is an important indicator of development, and its consequences in children and adolescents produce a serious socioeconomic burden. Children living on the street are more vulnerable than others. Thus, our objective was to analyze the nutritional status of children living on the streets of Manga, through a cross-sectional and analytical study. The snowball technique was used for sampling. Data came from individual interviews, blood samples and medical examinations. Of the 237 children studied, 84.8% were boys; the overall mean age was 11.5 years, and 72.6% were adolescents (aged 10 to 17 years). Growth retardation (15.9%) predominated among the children aged 4 to 9 years, while a weight deficit (27.9%) was most common among those aged 10 to 17. Half of the children (50.2%) with blood tests (N = 119) had anemia. There was a link between anemia and underweight (p = 0.0145). Children who ate at least three times a day were 2.63 times less likely to be anemic (p<0.001). Factors associated with anemia (p<0.005) included survival activities. We frequently found nutritional deficits and anemia in these children. A targeted nutritional program would be a good entry point for their successful reintegration..

[Tuberculoid leprosy revealed by active ulcerative colitis: a case report]. / Une rectocolite hémorragique révélant une lèpre tuberculoïde.

Leprosy is endemic in Senegal. In 2011, there were 73 new cases reported in Dakar. The circumstances of discovery are often dermatologic or neurologic. Few case reports describe an association with chronic inflammatory colitis, probably fortuitous. We report the case of a 30-year-old woman who had a tuberculoid leprosy revealed by active ulcerative colitis. Treatment according to the WHO protocol of leprosy, combined with corticosteroids and then methotrexate, resulted in healing of the leprosy and remission of the colitis.

Etude de l'etat nutritionnel d'enfants nes de meres seropositives suivies dans l'unite de traitement ambulatoire du centre hospitalier regional de Thies (Senegal)

Introduction : La degradation de l'etat nutritionnel est un des premiers signes lies a l'infection a VIH chez l'enfant. Objectif : c' etait d'evaluer l'etat nutritionnel et les facteurs de risque des enfants nes de meres seropositives suivies au Centre Hospitalier Regional de Thies (CHRT). Materiel et methodes : u ne etude transversale etait menee du 1 er au 14 aout 2008. Elle portait sur une population de 40 enfants ages de 6 a 59 mois nes de meres seropositives. Resultats : la moyenne d'age etait de 32;17 mois [26;43 - 37;92] 95 ; 52 de etaient de sexe masculin. Les 40 avaient recu des ARV a la naissance; 45 etaient seropositifs et 40 avaient une malnutrition aigue. Plus de la moitie des enfants (60) avaient beneficie de l'allaitement maternel exclusif. Il y avait un lien statistiquement significatif entre : la non prise des ARV a la naissance et la presence de la maigreur (p= 0;010) ; la serologie positive des enfants et la presence d'insuffisance ponderale (p= 0;012) et de la maigreur (p= 0;0052) ; le bas taux de CD4 des meres et la presence d'insuffisance ponderale chez les enfants (p= 0;023) ; l'allaitement maternel exclusif et la presence de la maigreur chez les enfants (p= 0;010) ; le bas taux de CD4 des meres et le statut serologique des enfants (p= 0;0031). Conclusion : les programmes en charge de la lutte contre le SIDA; la malnutrition et de la sante de la reproduction doivent travailler ensemble pour developper les composantes de la prevention de la transmission mere enfant et des strategies de renforcement nutritionnel pour garantir le succes de la lutte contre la malnutrition chez les enfants dans le cadre du VIH

Analyse de la prise en charge communautaire des orphelins et enfants rendus vulnerables (OEV) par le VIH/SIDA : experience de l'organisation communautaire de base (OCB) Jammixale yi Thies (Senegal)

Introduction: le VIH/SIDA ne cesse de provoquer de multiples difficultes avec l'accroissement du nombre d'orphelins et enfants vulnerables (OEV). Au Senegal; 3193 OEV etaient recenses en 2008. L'objectif etait d' analyser la prise en charge communautaire des OEV par l'organisation communautaire de base (OCB) JammiXale Yi (JXY) de Thies afin de mieux apprecier les effets psychologiques du VIH sur les enfants; les parents. Population et methode: Il s'agissait d'une etude transversale faite en 2009 aupres des agents de sante; des OEV et de leurs parents. Des entretiens individuels et des focus groups ont permis de recueillir des donnees. Selon la source et la cible; une triangulation des informations avait ete faite Resultats : 61 OEV etaient suivis. L'age moyen etait de 9;82 ans; variant entre 2 mois et 17 ans. Le sex- ratio etait de 1;08 (filles = 48).Dans cet OCB; 99 des enfants etaient a l'ecole publique; 20 avaient une bourse scolaire ; 92 n'etaient pas depistes. Parmi ceux depistes; 8 etaient seropositifs.Selon la cible; les principaux effets psychosociaux du VIH/SIDA etaient pour les enfants: l'utilisation de l'alcool; de la drogue; la prostitution. Pour les parents venaient au premier rang : la discrimination; le non depistage des enfants; les difficultes d'acces aux soins de qualite; l'attitude d'indiscretion du personnel de la sante. Les agents de sante avaient surtout souligne le manque de formation sur la prise en charge psychologique des OEV. Conclusion : on note l'importance des effets psychosociaux du VIH/SIDA sur les enfants; leurs parents et la difficulte de la prise en charge communautaire de cette maladie dans les pays a ressources limitees

[Care for elderly patients in Africa: Analysis of the financial implications of the SESAME plan on the budget of the regional hospital center in Thies, Senegal]. / Prise en charge des patients du 3e âge en Afrique: étude des implications financières du plan SESAME sur le budget du centre hospitalier régional de Thiès (Sénégal).

PURPOSE: The SESAME plan has been implemented at the Thies Regional Hospital Center (TRHC) for one year. The purpose of this study was to analyze the financial implications of the plan on the hospital budget for the sustainability of care for persons aged 60 and over. METHODS: This descriptive study included analysis of budget data from October 2006 to September 2007 plus information obtained by interviewing the accountant and head of SESAME plan. The number of patients managed, sources of CHRT funding, grants from various SESAME plan partners, and expenditures for each partner were determined. The weight of the SESAME plan in the CHRT operating budget was determined by calculating the ratio of the overall cost of care for elderly persons in relation to the hospital's revenues and SESAME grants. RESULTS: During the study period, the CHRT received a total of 17375 elderly persons including 89% with no pension or social security. The institute pension scheme (IPRES) covered 21% of the plan as compared to 79% for the state. Utilization plan grants in relation to funding source was 41% for IPRES and 124% for the State. The total cost of services provided to beneficiaries of the SESAME plan exceeded the aggregate amount by 26 083 847 CFA francs. The weight of the SESAME plan in the operating cost of the CHRT was 17%. CONCLUSION: Prefinancing a plan to cover elderly care in hospitals should be sufficient to prevent deficits from impacting negatively on the operating budget of the hospital.

[First cases of squamous cell carcinoma associated with cosmetic use of bleaching compounds]. / Premiers cas de carcinomes épidermoïdes sur terrain de dépigmentation artificielle.

INTRODUCTION: We report two cases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in two black women (phenotype VI) using bleaching compounds for cosmetic purposes over a period of 15 years. CASE REPORTS: Two women (aged 45 and 47 years) with a long history of cosmetic use of bleaching compounds consulted at a dermatology unit for skin tumours. A diagnosis of SCC was confirmed by histological examination of tumour biopsies. One patient was HIV-positive. Surgical treatment was performed in both cases: simple postoperative complications were seen in one patient but the other died at home following recurrence of carcinoma in the year following diagnosis. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, theses two cases represent the first description of SCC occurring after prolonged cosmetic use of bleaching compounds. Carcinoma occurred in both cases in skin exposed to sun. In our patients, the mechanism of carcinogenesis may have involved melanin destruction, solar exposure and corticosteroid-induced immunosuppression. A direct carcinogenic effect of hydroquinone or other unidentified compounds is another possibility; the carcinogenicity of hydroquinone is well established in rodents. While these observations do not provide formal proof of any implication of depigmentation products in SCC, they emphasize the need for monitoring of dark-skinned women using skin lighteners.

[Prevalence of skin disorders in HIV patients in Senegal and relationship to degree of immunosuppression]. / Prévalence des manifestations dermatologiques chez les malades infectés par le VIH au Sénégal et association avec le degré d'immunodépression.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to evaluate the association between dermatological findings in HIV-infected patients in Senegal and degree of immunosuppression and HIV stage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All consecutive HIV infected patients followed up at three dermatology centres in Senegal from 01 January 2004 to 01 January 2006 were evaluated retrospectively regarding dermatological findings, CD4 cell count and HIV stage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and forty-nine patients with 331 skin diseases were evaluated. The most common forms of dermatosis were oral candidiasis (53%), herpes zoster (24%), prurigo (24%) and dermatophytosis (16%). An increasing number of skin diseases was significantly associated with CD4 counts of below 200 per cubic millimeter and Aids diagnosis. A significant association (p<0.05) was found between two types of dermatosis (oral candidiasis and chromonychia) and CD4 counts of below 200 per cubic millimeter and between four types of dermatosis (straightened hair, herpes, oral candidiasis and xerosis) and Aids diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Dermatological findings are of great diagnostic and prognostic significance. We found some features specific to black skin: longitudinal melanonychia and blue ungueal pigmentation potentially related to immunosuppression and straightened hair, associated with Aids, probably resulting from denutrition.

[Cardiovascular manifestations in systemic scleroderma]. / Manifestations cardio-vasculaires au cours de la sclérodermie systémique.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with systemic scleroderma often have latent heart disease which could play an important role in morbidity and mortality. We therefore conducted a prospective study of cardiovascular manifestations in patients with systemic scleroderma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study included 29 patients with systemic scleroderma who underwent a complete cardiovascular work-up including physical examination, electrocardiogram, chest x-ray and Doppler-echocardiogram from July 1993 to February 1996. RESULTS: Hypertension was observed in 6 patients (20.7%) and was positively correlated with age (p = 0.007). Raynaud syndrome was also found in 6 patients (20.6%). Heart disease was observed in 14 patients (48.3%) and was positively correlated with age and lack of treatment for scleroderma (p = 0.008). Myocardial disease was the most frequent (11 patients, 37.9%), followed by pericardial disease and valve disease (4 cases each, 13.8%). Rhythm and conduction disorders were found in 2 (6.9%) and 8 (27.6%) of the patients. CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular manifestations are frequent but often latent in patients with systemic scleroderma. This finding emphasizes the importance of routine cardiovascular work-up in all patients with scleroderma.