Doualla, Marie University of Yaounde I - Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Yaoundé, Cameroon , Doualla, Marie General Hospital Douala, Cameroon , Luma Namme, Henry University of Yaounde I - Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Yaoundé, Cameroon , Luma Namme, Henry General Hospital Douala, Cameroon , Gloria, Ashuntantang University of Yaounde I - Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Yaoundé, Cameroon , Epée, Hélene General Hospital Douala, Cameroon , Kwedi, Felix General Hospital Douala, Cameroon , Kemta Lekpa, Fernando General Hospital Douala, Cameroon , Ngatat, Clarisse General Hospital Douala, Cameroon , Ngandeu Singwe, Madeleine University of Yaounde I - Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Yaoundé, Cameroon

Clinical Presentation, Treatment and Outcome of Patients with SLE at a Rheumatology Clinic in Douala, Cameroon

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Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was reported to be rare in sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to present our experience on SLE clinical and biological characteristics Patients and methods: We reviewed all the clinical records of patients suspected SLE in the General Hospital, Douala- Cameroon from 1999 to 2009. Patients fulfilling the 1987 ACR criteria for SLE were includedResults: 83 patients were diagnosed SLE, 39 fulfilling ACR criteria were analyzed: 36 female; mean age 39.2 ± 10.2 (19 – 59) years at the time of diagnosis. Dermatological (n= 25),musculoskeletal (n=23) and renal involvements (n = 7) were the main presenting complains. Clinical features in the course of disease included: musculoskeletal (n=39); hematologic (n=25); skin (n=22); renal (n=12); cardiac (n=16); neuropsychiatric (n=8); Constitutional symptoms included fever (n =20), fatigue (n = 20), weight loss (n = 12), and anorexia (n = 11). Raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate (n=35); positive anti nuclear antibodies (n= 31) urinalysis abnormalities (n=16) All patients received corticosteroids at some stage of the disease. Antimalarial were administered to 27 patients. 12 patients with lupus nephritis received Intravenous cyclophosphamide. Improvement was noted in 27 patients. Severe complications included chronic kidney disease (n=3); encephalitis (n=3); infection (n=2). There were 2 deaths, from neurologic involvement and from dialysis-related sepsis Conclusion: Clinical presentation of SLE in Cameroon is similar to data available from other sub-Saharan Africa countries, but complications and mortality rates appear to be lower than previously described. Multicentric prospective studies are needed to better appreciate epidemiology and severity of SLE in sub-Saharan Africa.

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Systemic lupus erythematosus , epidemiology , complications , Africa

Health Sciences an‎d Diseases

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