ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: We describe in this first series of lupus documented in Niger, the epidemiological, diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic aspects. METHOD: This is a prospective study in internal medicine at the National Hospital of Niamey during 10 years. ACR criteria were used as diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: We identified only 9 cases with a frequency of 0.05 % (7 women, 2 men) with a mean age of 36.7 years [range, (26, 48)]. Frequent manifestations were prolonged fever (8 cases), malar rash (6 cases), arthritis (6 cases), alopecia (5 cases), discoid lupus (3 cases), haematological disorders (7 cases), serositis (4 cases) and renal failure (4 cases). All patients had at least 4 ACR criteria with an average of 6.11 criteria. ANA were positive in 8 patients with an average of 1/568, 68 [extremes (1/1280-1/160)]. The most commonly molecules used were Prednisone, Azathioprine and Hydroxychloroquine. The Mycofénolate Mofétil, Cyclophosphamide and Rituximab were used in a single patient. The outcome was favorable in 8 patients and we deplore the death of one patient. CONCLUSION: Under diagnosis would be the basis of the low prevalence of lupus in Niger. Diagnostic means are necessary for epidemiological studies in order to have more representative data.
