Case Report: Rhupus (The Association of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis): About 2 Cases

Introduction: The association of systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis (rhupus) is a rare clinical condition. Throughout the world, 287 cases of Rhupus have been described. We report two new observations of two patients who presented predominantly distal erosive polyarthritis with positive anti-Sm antibodies in one case and SmRNP in the other case. Observations: Case 1: 37 years old patient, with a recent diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. She has since 8 months an inflammatory, bilaterally and symmetrical polyarthralgia without deformation or ankylosing synovitis, associated with malar erythema without other abnormalities. Immunological tests showed: positive Rheumatoid factor at 158 IU/ml, positive Anti-CCP at 550 IU/ml, and positivity of antinuclear at 1/1280 nuclear fluorescence with a strong presence of anti-Sm >8 IU/ml. The diagnosis of rhupus was concluded, without serious visceral involvement. Case 2: A 28-year-old patient, married with 3 children, with bilateral, symmetrical, deforming and chronic polyarthritis affecting large and small joints, which had been evolving for over 5 years without cutaneous abnormality associated. Paraclinical investigations showed: a biological inflammatory syndrome. Immunology was positive, with rheumatoid factors at 78 IU/ml, anti-CCP at 561 IU/ml, antinuclear antibodies at 1/1280 with positive anti-SmRNP and anti-SSA/Ro52, and a positive direct Coombs test. Joint ultrasound revealed tenosynovitis of the extensors and common flexors of the fingers, erosions and synovitis of multiple PPIs. The diagnosis of rhupus was based on the presence of 10 ACR criteria for RA and 8 ACR/EULAR 2019 criteria for SLE. Conclusion: Rheumatoid arthritis is a rare autoimmune disease combining features of both systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis in the same patient, often sequentially. Despite a growing number of case reports and series, a consensus on the classification of SLE arthritis is still lacking, and diagnostic criteria for rhupus do not exist. These cases of rhupus must be recognized, as the vital and/or functional prognosis may be different from SLE alone or isolated RA.

Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety in Patients with Autoimmune Disease: A Comparative Study with a Diabetic Population

Introduction: Systemic diseases are a variety of heterogeneous autoimmune and/or autoinflammatory diseases and syndromes usually affecting multiple systems and resulting from immune system dysregulation. We evaluated risk factors for depression and anxiety in an autoimmune disease cohort compared with diabetic patients. Patients and Methods: We conducted an observational, cross-sectional, case-control survey comparing two groups: individuals with connective tissue disease (CTD) and diabetic controls who were followed within three Dakar University hospitals during the period from April to June 2023. Results: The sample comprised 106 participants, of whom 51 (48%) had CTD and 55 (52%) served as diabetic controls. In the CTD group, the majority had lupus (19) and rheumatoid arthritis (23). The CTD patients had a mean age of 41.0 years (SD 16.9), while the diabetic patients had a mean age of 55.9 years (SD 11.7), with a significant difference observed (p Conclusion: Compared to a chronic disease, devastating in Africa and evolving over the long term, autoimmune diseases are more strongly and more frequently associated with anxiety and depression. This is a factor to be taken into account in the holistic management of these patients.

Profile of Biermer’s Disease at the Medical Clinic II Abass Ndao Hospital Center: About 57 Colliged Cases

Introduction: Biermer’s disease is an autoimmune cause of anemia characterized by malabsorption of vitamin B12. It is often accompanied by other autoimmune pathologies. The objective was to study its profile in patients followed in the internal medicine department of the Abass Ndao hospital center. Methods: This was a retrospective and descriptive study of patients followed for Biermer’s disease from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2019 (5 years). Results: 57 cases were collected, an incidence of 5.4 in the internal medicine department. The sex ratio was 0.58, an average age of 56.4 years. The circumstances of discovery were dominated by anemic syndrome (87.7%), dermatological (33.3%), digestive (29.8%), neurological (20%) pathologies. The specific signs to Biermer’s disease were digestive manifestations in 70.2% (including 30% Hunter’s glossitis), neurological manifestations in 36.8% (including 17.5% paresthesias), palmoplantar melanoderma in 68.4%. The mean hemoglobin level was 6.8 g/dL with a mean corpuscular volume of 110.7 fl. The myelogram reported megaloblastosis in 100% of the cases. The mean serum vitamin B12 level was 100 pg/ml. The anti-intrinsic factor antibody assay performed in 50 patients was positive in all cases. Upper digestive endoscopy showed an aspect of fundic atrophy in 69%. Histology showed intestinal metaplasia in 2 patients. An autoimmune disease was associated in 21% of cases. All patients had received treatment with vitamin B12 (51 patients took intramuscularly and 6 oral treatment). The course was favorable in all cases with a complete correction of the anemia. Conclusion: Biermer’s disease is a reality in Senegal. Its clinical and biological characteristics can be superimposed on the data in the literature. His prognosis under treatment is good whatever the route of administration of vitamin B12.

Rosai Dorfman Destombes’s Disease about 5 Cases

Rosai Dorfman’s Disease (RDD) Destombes also called sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy is a lymphoproliferative pathology usually benign, of unknown etiology, and of low incidence. It is a rare, but well-defined clinicopathological entity, which predominantly affects children and adolescents without distinction of gender or race. It manifests itself generally by bulky cervical lymphadenopathies, most often bilateral, painless, of benign but persistent evolution and a long-term fever associated with a non-specific biological inflammatory syndrome. Extra lymph node locations are described in association with lymph node involvement or isolation. The definitive diagnosis of Rosai Dorfman’s disease is histological, characterized by histiocytic infiltration with emperipolesis essentially of lymphocytes. The etiopathogenesis of the condition remains unclear, based on infectious and immunological hypotheses without clear evidence. The management is not well codified, it combines depending on the case, surgery;corticosteroids;antimetabolites and interferon alpha. Studies devoted to this condition in tropical Africa are rare. We report the clinical and progressive features of 5 observations of Rosai Dorfman’s disease.

Evaluation of Podological Risk at Type 2 Diabetics Tracked at the Mark Sankale Diabetes Center in Dakar

Introduction: The diabetic foot is a real public health problem due to its economic and functional impact with a high risk of amputations. The objective was to determine the podiatric risk of type 2 diabetics according to the classification of the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) in order to put in place suitable prevention measures. Patients and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study conducted over 12 months from May 01, 2018 to May 01, 2019 and concerning subjects with type 2 diabetes regularly followed up at the Marc Sankale Center at Abass Ndao Hospital in Dakar. Results: Two hundred (200) patients were collected with an average age of 58.9 ± 10 years, a sex ratio of 0.43. The majority of our patients had diabetes less than 5 years of age (52%) and were on non-insulin medication (63%). The average HbA1c level was 8.1%. Besides diabetes, high blood pressure and dyslipidemia were the most common cardiovascular risk factors in 65% and 25%, respectively. The main podiatric risk factors were: neuropathy (75.5%), arteriopathy (31.5%), deformities (19.5%), history of ulceration (24%) and amputation (2%). Factors associated with the risk of ulceration were: walking barefoot (42%), wearing tight shoes (26.5%), wearing unsuitable socks (46%), gait disturbance (39%), traumatic pedicure (3.5%). The podiatric risk assessment according to the IWGDF grading had identified a podiatric risk foot in 80% of the cases. Depending on the grade of injury, it was a grade 0 (20%), grade 1 (32%), grade 2 (34%) and grade 3 (14%) risky foot. A significant correlation was established between the onset of diabetic foot and age (p p p Conclusion: Podiatric assessment remains an essential point in the fight against complications of diabetes. This study demonstrates the high risk of developing diabetic foot, hence the importance of good grade planning to reduce the impact.

Correlation between Glomerulopathy and Retinopathy in an African Population of Type 2 Diabetics

Introduction: Diabetic microangiopathies are common, but their time to onset in a diabetic patient varies from subject to subject. The aim of our study was to study the correlation between renal and ophthalmic disorders in patients with type 2 diabetes. Patients and methods: This longitudinal, analytical study took place from March 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019 at the Abass Ndao University Hospital Center. It was studying retinal involvement in diabetic patients with glomerulopathy. Results: Of the 100 cases of diabetic glomerulopathy, they are divided into 70 women and 30 men with an average age of 58.2 years. The average duration of diabetes was 6.1 years and their average glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was 8.1%. Only 37% of patients had an HbA1c level below 7%. The other cardiovascular risk factors were high blood pressure (HBP) (39%), dyslipidemia (36%), and obesity (15%). Among these patients, diabetic retinopathy was present in 21% of the cases. Retinopathies were more frequent in the group of patients diagnosed with diabetes for less than 6 years (69%) and in patients with chronic renal disease with slightly reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (34%). Conclusion: Our study allowed us to conclude that during the course of type 2 diabetes, the onset of chronic kidney disease does not systematically imply the presence of diabetic retinopathy. It is thus important to make screenings and assessments of systematic complications.

Epidemiological, Clinical, Paraclinical and Evolutionary Aspects of Urinary Tract Infection in Diabetics Hospitalized at the Department of Medicine of Abass Ndao Hospital from January 01, 2018, to December 31, 2018

Introduction: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a major public health problem because of its morbidity and mortality. It occurs with increased frequency during diabetes. The objective of this work was to study the frequency and etiologies of urinary tract infections in diabetics hospitalized at the department of medicine of Abass Ndao Hospital. Patients and Methods: This work was a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study conducted from January 01, 2018, to December 31, 2018. It focused on hospitalized diabetic patients with urinary tract infection. Epidemiological, clinical, and evolutionary data of UTI were evaluated. Results: One hundred and twenty-eight (128) diabetic patients had a cytobacteriological urine exam (CUE). 44 of who had a positive CUE (34.4%). The age group [60 - 69] years was the most represented (31.8%). Women predominated (61.4%) with a sex ratio (m/f) of 0.63. Abdominal pain was the most frequent reason for consultation, followed by polydipsia. Fever was recorded in 21 patients (47.7%). Type 2 diabetes was found in most patients (70.5%). Glycemia above 2g/l was found in 34 patients (89.5%). Anemia accounted for more than half of the patients with 29 cases (65.9%). Leukocytosis was noted in 28 patients (63.6%) and a positive CRP in 33 patients (75%). An increase in urea-creatinine was noted in 23 cases (52.3%). The results of the CUE revealed Escherichia coli as predominant (43.2%, n = 19), followed by Candida with 22.7% (n = 10). Antibiotic therapy was given to all patients. The mostly used antibiotic in the treatment of UTI was Cefotaxime 27.3% (n = 12). Older age and female gender were associated with the presence of E. coli. Four (4) deaths were recorded (9%). They were all male over the age of 65. Conclusion: UTI in diabetes is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. The development and implementation of a prevention and management program are essential.

Hepatic Cirrhosis: Diagnostic and Prognosis in Internal Medicine

Introduction: Cirrhosis is a public health problem and the causes are dominated by viral hepatitis and alcoholism. Deaths due to cirrhosis represented 2.4% of deaths worldwide in 2017. The aim of this work was to study the diagnostic and prognosis of cirrhosis at the department of internal medicine of the Abass Ndao hospital center. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective, descriptive study, carried out on the basis of patient files followed from May 1, 1999 to February 28, 2018 (19 years) and included all patients for whom the diagnosis of cirrhosis was accepted. The diagnosis of cirrhosis was made on the basis of clinical, biological and ultrasound (portal hypertension, signs of hepatocellular insufficiency, a diffuse heterogeneous aspect, and irregularity of the liver contours). Results: 60 patient files were listed with an average age of 46.9 years, a sex ratio of 2.2 and alcoholism in 11.7% of the cases. The reasons for consultation were dominated by an increase in the size of the abdomen (55%), lose weight (50%). On physical examination, it was a hepatomegaly (43.3%) and jaundices (33.3%). Exploration of liver function showed a cholestasis (48%), a cytolysis (58%) and a hepatocellular insufficiency (46.2%). Anemia was found in (24%). The abdominal ultrasound found in all cases a dysmorphic, heterogeneous liver with irregular contours. Hepatic atrophy was found in 20%. Among the 34 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, they were grade 2 to 3 esophageal varicose vein in 67.6%, an erosive gastropathy in 29.4%. The etiology was viral hepatitis B in 45%, alcoholism in 11.7% and undetermined in 43.3%. A hematemesis complicated the evolution in 16.7%. Carcinomatous degeneration was found in 5% and 16.7% of the patients had died. Conclusion: our experience with cirrhosis was marked by advanced forms at the stage of complications. The viral etiology B remains dominant. Prevention will involve early detection and vaccination.