[Guillain-Barré syndrome in hospitals in Togo]. / Syndrome de Guillain-Barré en milieu hospitalier au Togo.

Introduction: In sub-Saharan Africa characterized by limited resources especially in health facilities and a relatively higher frequency of infectious diseases, studies on Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) are rare. Objectives: The objectives of this work are to describe the characteristics of GBS in Togo through a cohort of patients followed in the neurology unit of the Campus University Hospital of Lomé. Methodology: The study took place from May 2015 to July 2019. Patients with GBS of levels 1 to 3 of the Brighton criteria for diagnostic certainty were included consecutively and assessed at admission, at 6 months and at 1 year with the GBS disability score and the MRC sum score. Qualitative and quantitative variables were expressed, respectively, in frequency and median (interquartile range). Results: Out of 7012 hospitalized patients, 28 (0.39%) including 20 women (71%) with a median age of 40 (27-53) years, presented GBS. The clinical presentation mainly consisted of bilateral sensory-motor disorders predominantly in the lower limbs associated with facial diplegia and preceded by an infectious event. On admission, 39% of patients (n=11) were able to walk (GBS score 0 to 3) and the median MRC sum score was 28 (12-38). Cytoalbuminologic dissociation was present in 654% of patients (13 of 20 patients who underwent lumbar puncture). The demyelinating and axonal subtypes each accounted for 47% (9 of 19 patients who underwent an electroneuromyography examination). Immunoglobulins and intravenous corticosteroid therapy were administered in 18% (n=5) and 50% (n=14) of patients, respectively. Lethality rate during hospitalization was 11% (n=3). The median MRC sum score at 6 and 12 month-outcome were 40 (38-49) and 51 (46-58), respectively. After one year of evolution, case fatality rate was 18% (n=5), and 78% of survivors (n=14) could walk without assistance, of which 17% (n=3) were asymptomatic. Conclusion: In Togo, GBS, with a low hospital prevalence, remains a serious condition due to its high morbidity and lethality related to non-optimal treatment and delayed management.

Neuromyelitis optica in Sub-Saharan Africa: the first case report from Togo.

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) appears to affect blacks disproportionately in mixed populations. We report the first case of documented NMO in Togo (West Africa). A 26-year-old Togolese woman was admitted for progressive tetraplegia, acute urine retention, and dyspnea. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spinal cord demonstrated an extensive longitudinal lesion, and an ophthalmologic examination found bilateral optic neuritis. Antibody testing for AQP4-IgG was positive. The patient died of severe respiratory distress despite high doses of intravenous corticosteroids. Epidemiological data about NMO in sub-Saharan Africa would improve our understanding of the role of genetic and environmental risk factors in this disease.

Management of blood pressure in acute stroke: Comparison of current prescribing patterns with AHA/ASA guidelines in a Sub-Saharan African referral hospital.

BACKGROUND: High blood pressure (HBP) is common at acute phase of stroke. It may reflect untreated or uncontrolled hypertension before stroke, or it may relate to stress response. The present study was designed to compare current American Stroke Association (ASA) guidelines with actual prescribing patterns for management of HBP at the acute phase of stroke, in a tertiary care Hospital in Douala, Cameroon. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Cardiology and Neurology department of the Douala Laquintinie Hospital. Consenting patients with sign of stroke, confirmed by a brain CT-scan, who consented to participate in the study were recruited from March to July 2012. The use of antihypertensive medications (type, dose, routes of administration, BP recordings) in the first three days after admission was noted. RESULTS: One hundred and eleven patients were recruited including 59 men (53.1%). The mean age of patients was 60.9±12.3years, 70 patients (63%) had ischemic stroke and 41 (37%) hemorrhagic. Sixty two (55.8%) patients had hypertension severe enough to warrant treatment upon arrival. There was an overtreatment rate of 46.9% and undertreatment rate of 9.7%. CONCLUSION: The ASA guidelines were broadly respected by practitioners for patients who required treatment, but those who do not need treatment were overtreated. These findings support the need for more research to improve treatment guidelines as well as patient management.