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[Scleroderma in a hospital setting in Togo]
P Pitche1, Y Amanga, K Koumouvi
1Service de Dermato-Vénéréologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Tokoin, Lomé, Togo.
Medecine Tropicale : Revue Du Corps De Sante Colonial
|August 27, 1998
Summary
Scleroderma is rare in Togo, presenting with extensive skin hardening and poikiloderma, but infrequent Raynaud's phenomenon. Further data is needed to confirm a distinct African scleroderma presentation.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Rheumatology
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Scleroderma diagnosis in Lomé, Togo, between 1980-1996.
- Retrospective review of 34,169 patient records from dermatology and rheumatology clinics.
Purpose:
- To determine the epidemiological and semiological profile of scleroderma in Black Africa.
- Investigate the incidence and clinical manifestations of scleroderma in Togo.
Summary:
- Scleroderma incidence was 0.05% (18 cases). Systemic cases (13) had a mean age of 31, localized cases (5) a mean age of 20.
- Key features included extensive cutaneous sclerosis (10 cases), poikiloderma (7 cases), and infrequent, mild Raynaud's phenomenon (6 cases). Myalgia and renal involvement were absent.
- No occupational or therapeutic predisposing factors were identified.
Impact:
- Highlights the low incidence of scleroderma in Togo.
- Suggests unique clinical features in Lomé, including high rates of cutaneous sclerosis and poikiloderma, and low rates of Raynaud's phenomenon.
- Emphasizes the need for more epidemiologic data to confirm a potential African variant of scleroderma.