Epidemiological Profile of Autoimmune Diseases in Thiès, Senegal: About a Descriptive Observational Study over 11 Years in 2 Internal Medicine Departments and a Dermatology Department

Abstract

Introduction: Autoimmune diseases are characterized by a very large clinical polymorphism that can lead to a diagnostic wandering. So, we aimed to determine their epidemiological profile outside the context of Dakar (capital of Senegal) where the technical plateau is more elevated. Methodology: We conducted a retrospective descriptive and observational study from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2017. All patients admitted or followed in outpatient in the Internal Medicine departments of the Saint Jean de Dieu and Regional Hospitals of Thiès as well as in the dermatology department of the CHRT (Regional Hospital Center of Thiès), and who met the MAI criteria (autoimmune diseases) have been included. The data were collected on a standardised sheet and analysed by EPI INFO version 7.2. Results: A total of 121 patients were included out of 25951 records i.e a prevalence of 0.46% in internal medicine departments. In dermatology, out of 31973 patients, 95 had MAIS (systemic autoimmune diseases): 0.29% as hospital prevalence. The average age was 40.7 years in internal medicine departments compared to 37.66 years 14.8 years in the dermatology department. Patients aged 30 to 59 years represented 57.89% of the study population. The sex ratio (H/F) was 0.3 in the internal medicine departments compared to 0.17 in the dermatology department. Circumstances of discovery were incidental in 16.52% and clinical in 3.30%. Biermer disease accounted for 29.75% of organ-specific MAI. Concerning systemic presentations, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was present in 23.14%. Lupus was more representative in dermatology (65.2%) as well as systemic scleroderma (21%), dermatomyositis (6.3%). Cytopenia was found in 105 patients, showing in detail anemia (42.9%); leukopenia (14.8%); thrombocytopenia (2.4%). Autoantibodies were tested in 58 patients (47.9%). Skin histology was contributory in all cases of systemic scleroderma and in 5 cases of lupus. The main therapy prescribed was corticosteroid therapy alone or in combination with an immunosuppressant. Conclusion: In addition of infectious diseases, Subsaharan Africa is under the era of changing face of its epidemiology, and cardiovascular diseases shows signs of emergence, like auto-immune presentations. However, the difficult apprehension of these so subtle last diseases suggests that they are few reported. Technical tools in regions should be enhanced associated to a non-binding capacity building system targeting such diseases with an emphasis on good record keeping.