Cardiovascular Risk and Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Senegalese Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis:A Cross-Sectional Study in a Single Centre

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with increasing of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality due to accelerated atherosclerosis. Several studies showed also the increasing of the prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis, but there are little data from sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, subclinical carotid atherosclerosis and the ability of the Systematic Coronary Risk Estimation (SCORE) modified by European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) to predict the high CV risk in our patients. Patients and Method: We conducted a cross sectional study in Senegalese patients with RA. The RA was retained according to 2010 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)-European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) criteria. Patients with RA were assessed in a clinical research consultation. Results: We included 50 RA patients. The mean age was 44 years (+/- 12.37) and the sex-ratiowas 0.06. The frequency distribution of traditional cardiovascular risk factors was: hypertension (HT) (30%), diabetes-mellitus (6%), smoking (2%), no-exercise (22%), obesity (16%), metabolic syndrome (8%). Fifty-eight percent of patients were classified at low cardiovascular risk according to mSCORE. 51.7% of patients classified as moderate-risk according to mSCORE, were reclassified as high cardiovascular risk according to carotid ultrasound evaluation (gold-standard). The sensitivity of the mSCORE in the prediction of high CV risk was low at 20%. In the present study, the prevalence of carotid subclinical atherosclerosis was 20%. Age (>45 years) and HT were correlated to subclinical atherosclerosis. Conclusion: In the present study, the prevalence of atherosclerosis in RA patients was higher than expected frequency in comparison with the prevalence in Senegalese general population. We showed that CV risk was underestimated by mSCORE which had a low sensitivity in the prediction of high risk. We showed also the importance of carotid ultrasound for an appropriate stratification of the risk.

Severity of the Rheumatoid Arthritis in Sub-Saharan Africa:Study of 403 Senegalese Observations

Introduction: We assess the severity of the rheumatoid arthritis in a Senegalese African black population. Patients and methods: It is a retrospective study achieved in the service of Internal Medicine of Aristide Le Dantec teaching hospital of Dakar between January 2005 and December 2016 in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. We specified for every patient the predictive data of severity of the rheumatoid arthritis. Results: Four hundred and three patients have been gathered (39 men and 364 women), with the mean age of 45.8 years. An active tobacco addiction was noticed in 10 patients. The diagnostic delay was on average of 72 months. Characteristic articular deformations were noticed in 215 patients (53.3%). They were correlated to male (p = 0.038), to age (p = 0.001) and to the activity of the rheumatoid arthritis (p = 0.0445). Systemic manifestations have been observed in 213 cases (52.9%), particularly anemia (50.8%). They were correlated to the anti-CCP antibodies (p = 0.047). The ESR was increased at the first hour in 84.4% of cases (median: 43 mm;extreme: 1and 160). CRP was elevated in 63.71% of cases (median of 12 mg/l;extreme: 1 and 384). The rheumatoid factor was positive in 57.6% of the cases. The anti-CCP antibodies were present in 89.2% of the cases. Articular erosions were objectified in all cases. A DAS 28 superior to 5.1 was noticed in 71% of cases. Conclusion: The rheumatoid arthritis was severe in our study.

Antisynthetase Syndrome in Senegalese Patients: Report of Three Cases

Introduction: Antisynthetase syndrome is an original entity and rare autoimmune myositis and systemic disease, characterized clinically by a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations and the presence of autoantibodies directed against aminoacyl RNAt synthetases. We describe this disease in 03 Senegalese patients. Observations: The first patient was a 49-years-old black woman who was referred in our department after 06-months of follow-up for a misdiagnosis of tuberculosis. The clinical examination revealed polyarthritis, muscle weakness, chronic cough with crackling rales at the pulmonary bases, Raynaud phenomenon and dry syndrome. The second patient, a 21-years-old black woman, had polyarthritis and a progressive muscle weakness. The clinical examination showed also cutaneous signs including an erythema on the dorsal part of the fingers and the presence of the heliotrope erythema on the eyes. The last patient was a 52 years-old black woman. His clinical examination showed polyarthritis, muscle weakness and an appearance of mechanics’ hands. The creatinine phosphokinase was at 6.26 × N, 40.3 × N and 33.64 × N respectively in our patients. The chest computer tomography revealed an interstitial lung disease with a pattern of non-specific interstitial pneumonia in all three patients. The autoantibodies anti-Jo1 was also positive in all patients. The diagnosis of antisynthetase syndrome was retained with an overlap of antisynthetase and Sj?gren’s syndrome in the first observation. The evolution was favourable in our 03 observations with a therapeutic combination including Prednisone-Azathioprine and Kinesitherapy. Conclusion: Antisynthetase syndrome has been exceptionally reported in sub-Saharan Africa. It must be particularly mentioned in front of the triad: myositis, arthritis and interstitial lung disease. The identification of an auto-antibody directed against RNA t synthetases, particularly anti-Jo1, is essential for its diagnosis. Prognosis is related to interstitial lung involvement. The evolution has been favourable in our patients receiving Glucorticoid-Azathioprine combination therapy.

Kimura’s Disease: A Case Report and Literature Review

Kimura’s disease, common pathology in the East, responsible of chronic neck swelling is rarely reported in sub-Saharan Africa. We reported a case which was observed in the internal medicine department of Aristide Le Dantec hospital in Dakar. This was a young 15-year-old, with no particular disease history, who had recurrent non-inflammatory swelling next to the left zygomatic bone associated with itching. Biology revealed an inflammatory syndrom, eosinophilia and increased serum IgE. The histological examination of the mass biopsy concluded to Kimura disease. The corticosteroid has reduced the size of the mass within a few weeks of treatment. Kimura’s disease is unknown in our regions. His painless character and chronic evolution delay the time of diagnosis. This case proves the reality of this disease, which must find a place in the diagnosis approach of cervical swelling.

Rosai-Dorfman Disease: Two Cases Report and Literature Review

The lymph node is the revelation mode of several pathology. In tropical area, their etiology are dominated by tuberculosis and hemopathy. Some etiology such as histiocytosis are rarely mentioned. We report two cases of Rosai-Dorfman-Destombes disease. The first observation concerned a patient of 45 years without pathological antecedent, who had a inguinal and cervical tumoral lymph nodes. This evolved in a feverish poor general condition. Infection research was negative. Morphological explorations found deep lymph nodes. The excision biopsy examination concluded to Rosai-Dorfman-Destombes disease. The second observation concerned a patient of 40 years without pathological antecedent, who had a chronic non-inflammatory left supra-collarbone lymph node, associated with poor general condition and fever. X-ray showed mediastinal lymph nodes and ultra-sonography showed mesenteric lymph nodes, and latero-aortic lymph nodes. The examination of the excision biopsy was for Rosai Dorfman Destombes disease. The difficulty of diagnosis in our regions based on technical tray lack and our patients financial limits. Also this disease is rarely mentioned first. This is often the source of considerable diagnostic delay noted in our two patients and therefore the initiation of an untimely anti-tuberculosis treatment.

Pulmonary <i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i>and <i>Cryptococcus neoformans</i>Co-Infection on an Underlying Sarcoidosis Condition: Report of a Rare Case

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatosis from an unknown etiology, particularly affecting the lungs and the lymphatic system. It is associated with an immune deficiency involving an excessive immune response mediated by TH1 lymphocytes. Its evolution can lead to serious complications such as pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, bronchial stenosis and opportunistic infections. Opportunistic infections rarely occur on an underlying sarcoidosis condition. We report a rare case of pulmonary aspergillary and cryptococcal co-infection, on a patient with sarcoidosis who was finally lost to follow up. It was about a 47 years old female patient, diagnosed in 2015 for mediastino-pulmonary and neurological sarcoidosis. She was in therapeutical rupture after a 3-month period of corticotherapy at a dosage of 20 mg daily. The patient has been lost of sight for 3 years and was seen again on November, 22nd, 2018 at the Internal Medicine/Rheumatology Department of DALAL JAMM Hospital. At his admission she presented: a low grade hemoptysia, a chronic cough, a shortness of breath on exertion CRD Stage 2. At the biological investigation, the CRP was at 71.9 mg/l. Calcium serum levels were at 102.6 mg/l. Sputum culture and AFBS were negative. The screening serology of aspergillary Ig G was positive at 12.4 UA/ml. Thoracic High Resonance CT pointed suggests a Stage 2 Sarcoidosis complicated with aspergillary graft. The bronchoscopy showed out a severe suppurated bronchopathy. Microscopic examination of the BAF found some Cryptococcus neoformans settlement. We concluded a diagnosis of pulmonary aspergilloma and cryptococcosis co-infection with an underlying condition of Stage 2 Sarcoidosis. We successfully treated our patient with an oral intake of Itraconazole at a dosage of 400 mg daily over a period of 10 days. This is a rare and life-threatening triple association. In our case, the patient was lost to follow up for a long period and this was considered as the first morbidity risk factor.

Rheumatoid Arthritis of Man: A Study of 35 Cases in a Senegalese Hospital

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is predominant in women. In men certain clinical signs can delay diagnosis. Methods: A cross-section study of the epidemio-clinical and immunobiological features of rheumatoid arthritis in a male, black African population was carried out at the Aristide Le Dantec, University hospital of Dakar. Results: we studied 35 male subjects with rheumatoid arthritis. Their mean age was 42 years and the average time between the onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 44 months. In 70% of these patients, at least one joint deformation was present, most frequently an ulnar deviation of the fingers (34.3%). Extra-articular symptoms were dominated by dry eye syndrome (34%) and anemia (17%). Anemia was significantly less frequent in men than in women. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was accelerated in 51.4% and C reactive proteins were increased in 92% of patients. The rheumatoid factor was positive in all patients and the anticyclic Citrullinated Peptide (CCP) antibody was positive in 80% of cases. Conclusion: Male rheumatoid arthritis, relatively less studied, was associated with strongly positive immunological markers and a high rate of joint disorders.

Polyarthritis,Tenosynovitis and Dry Eyes after Treatment by Immune Check-Point Inhibitors

Introduction: Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting programmed death protein-1 and cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte-antigen-4 have revolutionized the treatment of various cancers. Despite their effectiveness, these therapies can lead to immune related adverse events. Observation: We reported a case of a 43- year-old white woman who was referred to our department for a management of acute polyarthritis. She was followed for a relapsing metastatic melanoma (stage IIIb) by surgery and Pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor targeting programmed death protein-1. After receiving her 4th cycle of this therapy she developed arthritis of the knees and the ankles, tenosynovitis and dry eyes with keratitis. After exclusion of other causes of polyarthritis such as connective-tissue disease, the diagnosis of rheumatologic immunerelated adverse events was retained. She was treated by 20 mg of prednisone daily, Pembrolizumab was discontinued. The evolution was favorable. Conclusion: Rheumatologic manifestations secondary to immune checkpoint inhibitors have been less well described in the literature. Their management requires the collaboration of oncologists and rheumatologists to limit the diagnostic delay and for an appropriate therapeutic choice according to their severity.

Ankle-Brachial Index in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus:A Senegalese Case-Control Study

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and increasing cardiovascular risk which is recognized as a major cause of morbidity and death. Whether subclinical atherosclerosis has been evaluated by several methods, there are very limited data about Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. The aim of the present study was to compare this index, between SLE patients and controls. We conducted a case-control study in the Department of Internal Medicine of our institution during the period from August 1, 2017 to December 31, 2018. We included 100 subjects, including 50 SLE patients and 50 control cases. This included 44 women and 6 men in patients with an identical distribution in controls. The mean age was 33.5 ± 11.3 years for cases and 33.3 ± 11.3 years (p-value: 0.93) for controls subjects. There was higher frequency of cardiovascular risk factors such as dyslipidemia (p-value at 0.009), low level of serum HDL-cholesterol (p-value??0.001), hypertriglyceridemia (p-value at 0.000) and hyperuricemia (p-value at 0.000) in patients with SLE. Overweight/obesity was higher in controls subjects (p-value at 0.028). There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of diabetes-mellitus, smoking and high blood pressure. The abnormally ABI was recorded in 19 patients with SLE (38%) and 8 controls (16%) with a p-value: 0.01 and odds ratio: 3.22. Eight patients (16%) and four controls (8%) had low ABI without significant difference (p-value: 0.11 but odds-ratio at 2.98). Eleven patients with SLE (22%) and five controls (10%) had high ABI (p-value: 0.05 and odds-ratio: 3.24). In patients with SLE only disease activity (cSLEDAI) at the inclusion of the study was correlated?to abnormal ABI.?Conclusion:?This study showed an increasing prevalence of abnormal ABI in black African patients with SLE compared to controls with a correlation between disease activity and abnormal ABI.

Haemorrhage Secondary to Cerebral Aneurysm in a Senegalese Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus:A Case Report

Introduction: Hemorrhage by ruptured cerebral aneurysm is a rare and severe complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We reported a case of this complication. Observation: A 24-year-old woman black Senegalese patient was followed in our department since for a systemic lupus with cutaneous and articular involvement and class III and V Lupus nephritis. She was readmitted for acute headache and early postprandial vomiting. The examination showed a meningeal syndrome, a subacute lupus eruption in the trunk, panniculitis and fever. The cerebral computer tomography showed spontaneous haemorrhage from saccular aneurysm. She was managed by immediate aneurysm clipping and medical treatment including bolus of methylprednisolone and immunosuppressive therapy was maintained. The outcome was favourable, but there was neurological damage such as brachial weakness. Conclusion: Hemorrhage by ruptured cerebral aneurysm is a rare and severe complication of SLE. The risk of damage is also significant. Immediate neurosurgical management and aggressive medical treatment may improve the prognosis.