Therapeutic Itinerary of Patients Followed for Connectivitis in the Internal Medicine Department of the CNHU-HKM of Cotonou (Benin)

Introduction: In black Africa, connectivites have been for a long time a source of diagnostic erraticity because of their clinical polymorphism. This study aims to determine the therapeutic itinerary of patients followed for connectivitis in the Internal Medicine Department of the CNHU HKM of Cotonou. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study that included patients followed for connectivitis in the HKM-Cotonou Internal Medicine Department from January 2010 to October 2018. Results: Out of 3600 patients hospitalized in the study period, 21 had connectivitis, i.e. a hospital frequency of 0.58%. Of the 21 patients collected, 18 met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 40 (±11) years old and the youngest was of 21 and the oldest 58. The sex ratio was 17.9. The “Fon” ethnic group was the most represented (33.3%) and 15 (83.3%) subjects were Christians. Systemic lupus erythematosus was the most frequent connectivitis (55.6%). The average time of consultation was 38 months. Witchcraft was the most incriminating cause (78%). Ten (55.5%) patients had resorted to self-medication as their first choice of treatment, 5 (27.8%) to traditional medicine treatment and 3 (16.7%) to prayer for healing. The reasons for the first choice of treatment were satisfaction (44.4%), financial problems (27.8%), trivialization of the disease (16.7%), and advice from family and friends (11.1%). The consultation at the CNHU followed a referral from a first contact health structure (61%) or an initiative of the patient (27.8%). Conclusion: Connectivitis is a source of diagnostic error in our context. Awareness must be raised among patients for an early consultation at the first symptoms.

Reasons for the Use of Health Care in Elderly Persons Undergoing Consultation in the University Clinic of Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology of the Hubert Koutoukou Maga National Hospital and University Center (CNHU-HKM) of Cotonou

Introduction: The progressive ageing of the population from southern Sahara is leading to an increase in health needs among the elderly. The purpose of this study was to output an overview about the reasons why the elderly come for consultation in the internal medicine department of the HKM-NHUC in Cotonou. Methodology: This was a retrospective, descriptive, and analytical study, which included all patients aged 65 years and over, who came for the first time for consultation in the Internal Medicine Department of the CNHU-HKM between January 1st and December 31st, 2017. Results: Among the 680 new patients received in internal Medicine consultations during the study period, 118 people were aged 65 and over, representing a hospital frequency of 17.35%. The sex ratio was 0.9 with a mean age of 73 ± 7 years. Hypertension was the main comorbidity of the patients (69%). Cough (11.3%) and low back pain (8.2%) dominated the reasons for consultation. The three main nosological groups of pathologies were, in descending order, diseases of the osteo-articular system (17.5%), diseases of the respiratory system (16.5%) and diseases of the circulatory system (12.4%). Pneumonia (11.3%) and lumbosacral spondylarthrosis (10.3%) were the most frequent pathologies in patients whose health needs remain quite varied. Conclusion: The elderly become gradually an important part of the population in southern Sahara. A better understanding of the health needs of this category of the population is necessary to deal effectively with the health challenges that will accompany this phenomenon.

Knowledge of General Practitioners in Cotonou about Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Introduction: Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) are seen late in specialized medical consultation in Benin. The objective of this work was to assess general practitioners’ knowledge in Cotonou about SLE. Materials and Methods: This work was a cross-sectional study that was led in the city of Cotonou from July 1 to September 30, 2017. In the study population, we have general practitioners who practice in the city. Data collection was set in response to a self-questionnaire. Result: The survey involved 209 general practitioners. The average age was 27.5 years with a minimum of 22 and a maximum of 34. Most of them practiced in private clinics. Besides, 17 doctors (8.1%) reported that they never heard of lupus. Among the 192 remaining, only one had an average knowledge of lupus, while the others had insufficient knowledge. Conclusion: From this study, we got that SLE is still little known by the general practitioner. Increasing the knowledge of general practitioners’ knowledge of lupus is compulsory to improve the screening rate.