Viral Hepatitis B and C: Epidemiological, Clinical and Paraclinical Aspects in the Internal Medicine Department of KARA University Hospital in Togo

Introduction: Viral hepatitis B and C constitute real public health problems worldwide. The objective of this work was to describe the epidemiological, clinical and paraclinical aspects of viral hepatitis B and c in the internal medicine department of Kara University Hospital. Method: this was a retrospective descriptive study carried out in the Internal Medicine department of Kara University Hospital, over a period of 3 years from March 2020 to April 2023. It included all patients seen in consultation or hospitalized for hepatitis viral B and/or C. Results: A total of 57 patients were included in our study. The average age was 44.30 years ± 16.75 and the M/F sex ratio was 1.38. Married people were in the majority 63.2%. The circumstances of the discovery of viral hepatitis B and C were dominated by abdominal pain in 35.1% of cases and hepatomegaly in 29.8% of cases and in 33.3% of cases, it was during screening voluntary. Patients with viral hepatitis B only accounted for 64.9% of cases;those with only viral hepatitis C represented 31.6% of cases and 3.5% of cases had HVB/HCV co-infection. We recorded 36.8% complications including 52.4% liver cirrhosis and 47.6% hepatocellular carcinomas. During the evolution, there were 03 deaths. Conclusion: the prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus carriage in patients followed in internal medicine at Kara University Hospital is high. It is therefore essential to put in place treatment and prevention strategies against these viruses.

Analysis of The Use of Implicit Nursing Knowledge in The Teaching of Cardiovascular Internal Medicine Nursing

Objective: To explore the utilization of implicit nursing knowledge in the teaching of cardiovascular internal medicine nursing and to provide a reference for improving the quality and efficiency of cardiovascular internal medicine nursing work. Methods: Thirty-six trainee nurses working in the cardiovascular internal medicine department of our hospital from September 2022 to September 2023 were selected and randomly divided into a control group and an observation group of 18 trainees each. The control adopted the traditional teaching methods while the observation group adopted the implicit nursing knowledge in their clinical practice work. The assessment scores and teamwork ability of the two groups were analyzed and compared. Results: The performance of the observation group was better than that of the control group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The teamwork ability of the observation group was significantly better than that of the control group in teamwork ability (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Implicit nursing knowledge teaching is conducive to the cultivation of high-quality nursing talents and meets the development needs of hospitals. Therefore, the importance of implicit nursing knowledge should be strengthened in the teaching of cardiovascular internal medicine nursing and it should be comprehensively organized to improve the quality of nursing services.

Etiological and Evolutionary Profile of Anemia in Patients Hospitalized in the Internal Medicine Unit of the Fousseyni Daou Hospital in Kayes

Introduction: Anemia is one of the most common public health problems in the world and affects all ages. Objective: To describe the etiological and evolutionary profile of anemia in patients hospitalized in the Internal Medicine Unit of the Fousseyni Daou Hospital in Kayes. Methodology: It was a descriptive and cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection which took place from January 1 to December 31, 2020 at the Internal Medicine Unit of the Fousseyni Daou Hospital in Kayes. It covered all anemic patients hospitalized during the study period. Results: We identified 91 cases of anemia out of 200 patients admitted to the Unit that is a hospital prevalence of 45.5%. The age group of 26 to 35 years was the most represented, that is to say 29 cases (31.87%) with an average age of 43.55 years ± 17.48 years, the female sex predominated, 51 cases (56.04%) with a sex ratio of 0.78. Housewives represented 41 cases (45.05%). The majority of patients resided in rural areas 48 cases (52.75%). The main manifestations were: asthenia 75 cases (78.02%), vertigo 68 cases (74.72%), dyspnea 62 cases (68.13%), headaches 59 cases (64.83%), palpitations 55 cases (60.44%), conjunctival pallor 53 cases (58.24%), tachycardia 43 cases (47.25%), systolic murmur 18 cases (19.78%) and IMO 11 cases (12.09%). The associated pathologies were: infected diabetic wounds 25.27%, followed by bacterial pleuro-pneumopathy 18.68%. Biologically, microcytic anemia was the most frequent 49 cases (53.84%), followed by normocytic anemia 35 cases (38.46%) and macrocytic anemia 7 cases (7.7%). Anemia was hypochromic, 53 cases (58.24%) were more encountered compared to normochromic anemia 38 cases (41.76%). The anemia was: severe in 43 cases (47.25%), moderate 29 cases (31.87%) and mild 19 cases (20.88%). Inflammatory anemia is the most common etiological diagnosis in 60% of cases, followed by vitamin B12 deficiency anemia observed in 21% of patients and then blood diseases in 7.33% of cases. The main causes of death were HIV (50%) and kidney failure (33.33%). Conclusion: Anemia is a frequent symptom in internal medicine. It constitutes a real diagnostic challenge for the internist and this sometimes in an emergency context. The use of specialized examinations and labile blood products is essential in our hospital.

Epidemiological, Clinical, Bacteriological Profile of Urinary Tract Infection in the Internal Medicine Unit of the Fousseyni Daou Hospital in Kayes

Introduction: Urinary tract infection is one of the most frequent public health problems in the world and concerns all ages. Objective: To describe the epidemiological, clinical and biological profile of urinary tract infection in the internal medicine unit of the Fousseyni Daou hospital in Kayes. Methodology: It was a descriptive and cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection which took place from January 1 to December 31, 2020 at the Internal Medicine Unit of the Fousseyni Daou Hospital in Kayes. It covered all outpatients and hospitalized patients presenting with a urinary tract infection during the study period. Results: We identified 79 cases of urinary tract infection out of 145 requests for ECBU, that is a positivity rate of 53.10% and out of a total of 1883 admissions that is a hospital prevalence of 4.19%. The age groups of 36 to 45 years and 46 to 55 years were more represented in 28 cases (35.44%) and 25 cases (31.64%) with an average age of 45 years ± 10. The female sex was predominant, 42 cases (53.16%) with a sex ratio of 0.88. Housewives were more represented 28 cases (34.44%). The majority of patients resided in rural areas 49 cases (62.03%). The history was dominated by the following pathologies: hypertension 48.10%, diabetes 36.70% and gastropathy 30.37%. The main clinical manifestations were: Urinary burning 67 cases (84.81%), Dysuria 65 cases (82.27%), Pelvic pain 59 cases (74.68%), Fever 57 cases (72.15%). The epidemiological profile of the isolated strains was dominated by enterobacteriaceae, followed by gram-positive cocci and gram-negative bacilli. The main bacteria responsible for urinary tract infections in order of frequency: Escherichia coli (45.56%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (11.39%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8.86%), Staphylococcus aureus (7.59%), Streptococcus sp (6.33%), Enterobacter cloacae (3.79%), Acinetobacter sp (3.79%). The study of the susceptibility and resistance profiles of the isolated strains showed significant sensitivity of enterobacteriaceae to colistin and resistance to amoxicillin and to the amoxicillin + clavulanic acid combination. Conclusion: Urinary tract infections are a major public health problem since they are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality and a high cost of care. Knowledge of the epidemiological-clinical and bacteriological profile of these infections is essential for efficient management.

The Method of Combining Internal and External Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)believes that the main pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis is spleen deficiency;damp heat in the large intestine as the symptom,the treatment must be warming,clearing,eliminating,tonifying,astringing concurrently.From the concept of combining holism and the local treatment in TCM,idea of combining internal and external treatment is adopted.That is,the external treatment follows the therapeutic principle of using herbs with a bitter and cold nature to eliminate stagnation,and the seven carbon decoction,which can clear heat and dampness,cool the blood,and stop dysentery,is used as a rectal drip to retain the enema.Internal treatment follows the therapeutic principle of warmly tonifying and cultivating vital qi,with oral Chinese herbal medicine named Maodie Tang to strengthen the spleen and tonify the kidney,clearing heat and inducing dampness.

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

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.

Factors Associated with Haemolytic Anaemia in the Internal Medicine Department of the Douala General Hospital in Cameroon

Introduction: Haemolytic anaemia (HA) is defined as a decrease in haemoglobin (Hb) levels below baseline due to excessive and premature destruction of red blood cells (RBCs) in the periphery resulting in a shortened life span of less than 120 days. Haemolysis can be corpuscular or extra-corpuscular. The aim of our study was to investigate the factors associated with it for optimal management of patients hospitalised in internal medicine at the Douala General Hospital (DGH). Methodology: We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study, including all patients admitted to the internal medicine department of the DGH from 11 February to 20 May 2022, and excluding patients with non-compliant samples. The search for haemolytic anaemia was carried out by means of blood count, reticulocyte count, blood smear, unconjugated bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase and direct Coombs test. Sociodemographic, clinical and biological parameters were collected and analysed. Correlation was defined for a p value 0.05. Results: This study included 147 patients, 50.34% of whom were men, for a sex ratio of 1.01. The mean age was 52 ± 17.9 years. The most represented age group was 56 - 70 years (n = 49;33%) with extremes from 15 to 90 years. We counted 29.3% cases of haemolytic anaemia (HA) and 13.9% cases of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA). Haemolytic anaemia (HA) was present in 54.14% of men for a sex ratio of 1.38;the most represented age group was 40 - 55 years, 37.2%. HA was associated with jaundice (OR: 3.74, CI: [1.70 - 8.22], p = 0.001), HIV - AIDS (OR: 2.72, CI: [0.98 - 7.53], p = 0.05), thrombocytopaenia (OR: 3.53, CI: [1.58 - 7.89], p = 0.02). LDH was elevated (OR: 2.86, CI: [1.30 - 6.26], p = 0.00) as well as elevated reticulocyte count (OR: 3.84, CI: [1.75 - 8.44], p = 0.01). Unconjugated bilirubin was elevated in all these patients. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with HA were a history of HIV/AIDS, jaundice, thrombocytopaenia and elevated reticulocyte count. Conclusion: Hemolytic anaemia is common in internal medicine and is significantly associated with thrombocytopenia, HIV/AIDS infection and jaundice.

Metabolic Syndrome in the Internal Medicine Department of Chu Point G

Introduction: The metabolic syndrome according to the IDF (International Diabetes Federation) is at the origin of the double global epidemic of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. This work aims to study the metabolic syndrome in the internal medicine department of CHU Point G. Methodology: This was a descriptive study of patients who presented a metabolic syndrome according to the definition of the IDF definition, hospitalized in the internal medicine department of the CHU du point G for the period from January 1 2010 to December 31, 2019. Results: During the study period, 4189 patients were hospitalized, including 60 with metabolic syndrome, representing a hospital frequency of 1.43%. The sex ratio was 0.36. The age group of 50 and 60 years accounted for 28.3%. Forty-six point six percent (46.6%) of our patients were diabetic, 45% obese, 60% hypertensive, 70% sedentary and 10% smokers. Our patients had in 53.3% of cases a blood pressure figure ≥ 130/85 mmHg, abdominal obesity in 100%, hypertriglyceridemia in 33.3%, HDL-C less than 0.40 g/l in 62.5% of men and less than 0.50 g/l in 77.27% of men, blood sugar ≥ 1 g/l in 88.3%. Conclusion: The metabolic syndrome, in view of the entities that compose it, is a real cardiovascular risk factor and therefore a major public health issue.

Application of Heuristic Method to the Clinical Teaching of Internal Medicine

There is an old saying,“Give a man a fish,and he will eat for a day.Teach a man to fish,and he will eat for the rest of his life.”In clinical teaching,students should not only be taught about diseases,but their intelligence should also be cultivated,along with their analytical,comprehension,and independent learning skills.The ability to solve problems enables students to think independently and acquire knowledge.This is known as the heuristic method of teaching.In this study,we mainly analyze the application value of the heuristic method in the clinical teaching of internal medicine.

Profile of Urinary Tract Infections in the Elderly in the Internal Medicine Department of the University Hospital Center of Point G, Bamako, Mali

Introduction: Urinary tract infections (UTI) are frequent and of polymorphous clinical symptomatology in elderly subjects both in and out of hospital. In Mali, to our knowledge, no study concerning UTIs in the elderly has been conducted, hence the interest in this innovative work. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and clinical and paraclinical aspects of urinary tract infections in the elderly. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective descriptive and cross-sectional study from September 1, 2013 to August 31, 2014, i.e. duration of 12 months. All patients aged 65 years and over, hospitalized or ambulatory in the internal medicine department with a documented urinary tract infection were included. Results: We collected and examined 194 patients. The cytobacteriological study of urine (CBSU) was positive in 28 patients, i.e. a prevalence of 14.43%. The male sex represented 59.8% of the cases, the sex ratio was equal to 1.46. The age groups between 65 - 69 and 70 - 74 years were the most affected, respectively 28.57% and 39.28%. The main clinical signs were: asthenia, anorexia, dependence, fever, urinary burning, dysuria. Hospitalization was associated with urinary tract infection with P = 0.01. The group of enterobacteria were incriminated in 75% of cases. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa represented 39.28%, 14.28% and 10.71% of cases. Urinary tract infections were represented by pyelonephritis, acute prostatitis, orchi-epididymitis and simple cystitis. Conclusion: Urinary tract infection is frequent in the elderly, its clinical presentation is polymorphic and enterobacteria are the most incriminated group of bacteria.

Setting up a Customized Electronic Health Record System Fit for Internal Medicine in Dakar, Senegal

Objective: Describe the design and implementation of an electronic medical record—E-INTMED—customized for Internal Medicine in Dakar, Senegal. Methodology: This study was carried out in a public teaching hospital in Dakar Senegal. It entailed collaboration between physicians specialized in various fields in Internal Medicine and Computer Scientists to carry out the compilation of data and their electronic transcription to produce a prototype which met users’ needs. Results: E-INTMED software is structured around several hierarchical tables allowing users to register and store all relevant patients’ information. E-INTMED structures patient’s data to provide a clear overview of their medical history and users’ activity performance. E-INTMED makes medical users’ life so much easier. Users can generate and send letters and prescriptions quickly and efficiently using the customized templates which they can modify or create new ones. In addition to these capabilities, all of the features expected in an Internal Medicine EHR are handled by E-INTMED, such as lab orders and results, mechanisms for continuity of care, embedding and access to images and documents, and so much more. E-INTMED provides medical students with a number of educational, practical and administrative advantages. Conclusion: Computerization of medical records has become a necessity today. Crossing the line to Electronic medical records could help to improve medical practice and medical training.

Serious Myasthenia at the Department of Internal Medicine of Point G University Teaching Hospital: A Clinical Case

Introduction: Myasthenia is a rare and disabling autoimmune disease. Few studies were devoted to this pathology. We report a clinical case of myasthenia in the Department of Internal Medicine at the Point G University Teaching Hospital. Observation: This is a 41-year-old patient of Malian origin, a trader with a history of hemorrhoidectomy in 2011 and familial hypertension, was admitted on August 19, 2014, for muscle weakness, dysphonia, and dysphagia. The disease started 1 year before admission at the department with progressive muscle weakness of the upper limbs aggravated by repetitive movements and spreading to the head “drooping head” and inferior limbs, associated with general fatigue, dysphonia and selective dysphagia for solid foods. The diagnosis of myasthenia was maintained based on the clinical signs such as ptosis, bilateral diplopia, and weakness with lower limbs muscle strength rated at 3/5, and confirmed with confirmatory exams;a positive anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody (RIA), the post-synaptic neuromuscular conduction block at ENMG and the positive neostigmine pharmacological test. The patient received Neostigmine (prostagmine) 0.5 mg one ampoule in IM/day and Prednisone at a dosage of 1 mg/kg/day. The evolution was marked by a moderate improvement of the symptomatology afterward the patient was evacuated to Tunisia on family request where he received a course of immunoglobulin 2 g/kg in 2 days. The evolution in Tunisia was favorable. The patient returned in Mali and death occurred after 2 months in a context of respiratory distress. Conclusion: Myasthenia is a rare but serious disease requiring careful management and monitoring to reduce respiratory complications.

Evaluation of the Frequency of Prolonged Fevers and Exploration of Their Etiologies in the Internal Medicine Department of the Point “G” University Hospital in Bamako from 2009 to 2013

Objective: The aim was to evaluate the frequency of prolonged fevers and to determine their etiologies. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study extending from the period of 2009 to 2013 in the Internal Medicine department of the “G” Point University Hospital in Bamako. Included were all records of hospitalized patients with a central temperature greater than 37°C in the morning and 37°C in the evening, resting for 15 minutes, fasting for more than 2 hours, and absence of antipyretic treatment. We include all the patients of the study period with fever greater than 37.5°C in the morning and 37.8°C in the evening, resting for 15 minutes, fasting for more than 2 hours, and absence of antipyretic treatment, which have more than 21 days and measured on several occasions. The data were collected on a survey sheet. Data entry and analysis was done on SPSS software. Results: We recorded 243 fever cases out of 2155 hospitalizations, a prevalence rate of 11.2%. There were 128 men and 115 women with an average age of 43 years (range, 15 to 84 years), a modal class of 37 to 47 years, and a sex ratio of 1.11. The infectious etiologies accounted for 81% followed by neoplastic causes 09.6% and inflammatory 01.2% of cases. HIV infection was found in 26.4% of patients, malaria 13.5% and urinary tract infections 10.2%). Gram negative bacilli 88% consisted mainly of Escherichia coli (56%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (20%).

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.

SUN Yan (孙燕)——A Prominent Oncologist of Internal Medicine

Professor SUN Yan, a famous medical oncologist, was graduated from Yenching University with a B. S. degree in 1951, and from Peking Union Medical College with a M.D. degree in 1956. He studied traditional Chinese medicine from 1960 to 1961, and worked, between 1979 and 1980, as a visiting professor in M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, USA. Since 1959, he has been working in the Department of Medical Oncology in Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences （CAMS）, holding the post of professor ＆ director of Department of Medical Oncology during 1986-1994. He was honored as the ＂Outstanding Physician＂ by CAMS and Peking Union Medical College （PUMC） in 1993, designated as an ＂Advanced Worker＂ in national health care system by the Ministry of Human Affairs in 1994, and elected an academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering in 1999. Since 1991, he has been enjoying the governmental special stipend.

Panorama of Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Diseases in Internal Medicine at the University Hospital Center (UHC) of the Point G

Introduction: Panorama studies of autoimmune and auto-inflammatory diseases are still very little carried out in Africa and particularly in Mali. The objective of this descriptive study with retrospective collection was to describe the epidemiological and clinical profile of all autoimmune and auto-inflammatory diseases in the department of internal medicine at the University Hospital Center of the Point G. Methods: This was a descriptive study with a retrospective survey of the records of patients hospitalized for autoimmune and auto-inflammatory diseases in the department of internal medicine at the CHU of Point G for a study period of 15 years from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2019. We included in the study all patients hospitalized for autoimmune and auto-inflammatory diseases. Results: During the study period (January 31, 2005 to December 31, 2019), 6383 patients were hospitalized in internal medicine at the University Hospital Center of the Point G, of which 317 patients presented with autoimmune and/or auto-inflammatory disease with an average annual hospital recruitment rate of 21 ± 7.87 cases per year. The female sex accounted for 64.98% with a sex ratio of 0.54. The mean age of patients was 35.27 ± 16.27 years and the extreme ages were 07 and 79 years. Out of the 317 medical records included according to our inclusion criteria, there were 07 cases of association between autoimmune disease and autoinflammatory disease, i.e. 14 cases of autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases. A total of 331 autoimmune diseases and/or auto-inflammatory diseases were collected, i.e. a frequency of 5.19%, including 291 cases of autoimmune diseases (221 cases of organ-specific autoimmune diseases and 70 cases of systemic autoimmune diseases) and 40 cases of autoinflammatory diseases (no case of monogenic forms, 08 cases of “systemic” polygenic forms and 32 cases of “organ-specific” polygenic forms). Organ-specific autoimmune diseases were dominated by type 1 diabetes (141 cases), Graves’ disease (48 cases) and systemic autoimmune diseases by systemic lupus erythematosus (43 cases), rheumatoid arthritis (16 cases). Among the auto-inflammatory diseases, the “systemic” polygenic forms were dominated by Horton’s disease (02 cases) and the “organ-specific” polygenic forms by gout (16 cases), ulcerative colitis (08 cases). Conclusion: It appears from our study that autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases are characterized in internal medicine by their frequent occurrence in women and preferably between 25 and 44 years of age with very disparate distribution. We also observed a predominance of organ-specific autoimmune diseases over systemic ones, and “organ-specific” polygenic autoinflammatory diseases over “systemic” ones.

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.

Analysis of the rule of medication for internal administration of gout by traditional Chinese medicine based on Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance System

Objective:Based on the TCMIS(traditional Chinese medicine inheritance system)V2.5 to explore the rule of medication used in internal TCM(traditional Chinese medicine)for gout in the national patent network.Method:Collect the internal administrations of gout in the national patent network,and enter them into the Chinese medicine inheritance system V2.5,adopt Frequency analysis,association rules,complex system entropy clustering and other data mining methods to analyse the internal traditional formula of traditional Chinese medicine for gout.Results:By inclusion,exclusion criteria,357 formulas are screened out,involving 494 medicine,63 medicine with frequency of use≥20,and 40 commonly used medicine pairs.The core medicine are:Huangbai(Cortex Phellodendri),Cangzhu(Rhizoma Atracylodis),Niuxi(Radix Acanthopanacis Bidentatae),Yiyiren(Semen Coicis),Tufuling(Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae),Bixie(Rhizome Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae),Gancao(Radix Glycyrrhizae),Weilingxian(Radix Clematidis),Zexie(Rhizoma Alismatis),Danggui(Radix Angelicae Sinensis),Chuanxiong(Rhizoma Chuanxiong).There are 28 new combinations and 14 new formulas.Conclusion:In the national patent network,the internal traditional Chinese medicine for gout is based on clearing away heat and dampness,activating blood circulation to dredge collaterals,which provides reference for clinical treatment of gout.