[Psycho-social experiences and quality of life of pacemaker patients in Cotonou]. / Vécu psycho-social et qualité de vie des patients porteurs de pacemaker à Cotonou.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The aim was to study the psycho-social experiences and quality of life (QOL) of pacemaker patients at the National Teaching Hospital Hubert Koutoukou Maga in Cotonou. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A descriptive cross-sectional observational study was performed in 2017 and included over a three-month period all pacemaker patients admitted on an ambulatory basis. The psychological impact of wearing a pacemaker was studied, as well as the limits and constraints of daily life and the quality of life appreciated by the SF-36 score. RESULTS: Fifty-five (55) patients were included with an average age of 67 ± 11.3 years. In terms of psychological impact, 98.2% (n=54) had a good overall perception of their health status. However, 60.6% (n=33) perceived pacemaker use as a handicap and 52.5% (n=29) wanted psychological support in post-implantation. Limitations and constraints mainly concerned lateral decubitus on the side of the pacemaker (54.5%, n=30), travel (27.3%, n=15) and sexual relations (21.8%, n=12). The average quality of life was rated good in 6 out of 8 dimensions. The level of quality of life was independent of gender. CONCLUSION: This study has highlighted misperceptions of daily life that may hinder the expected improvement in post-implantation patient performance. Psychological support and enhanced communication with these patients are needed.

[Prevalence of peripheral artery disease among diabetics in Parakou in 2013]. / Prévalence de l'artériopathie oblitérante des membres inférieurs et facteurs associés chez les diabétiques suivis en milieu hospitalier à Parakou en 2013.

We aimed to determine the prevalence of peripheral artery disease and its associated factors among diabetics. The cross-sectional study was conducted and included all diabetics admitted to the diabetic clinic at the Parakou University hospital during the period of 1st February and 31st July 2013. The diagnosis of peripheral artery disease was based on the Ankle Brachial Index (ABI)<0.9. The socio-demographics data, the data concerning the diabetes and its complications were recorded in each patient. They were 401 diabetics and 59.5 % were females. The mean age was 53.7±11.5 years. Among the diabetics, 168 fulfilled the criteria of PAD, the overall prevalence was 41.9 %. In total, 31.5 % were symptomatics according to Leriche and Fontaine classification. The main associated factors were the increase of age (P=0.01), the absence of activity with high income (P=0.004), the absence of physical activity (P=0.023), the duration of diabetes (P=0.007), the presence of peripheral neuropathy (P=0.003), the glycosylated hemoglobin≥7 % (P<0.001). After a multivariate analysis, only diabetes control was independently associated with arteriopathy (P=0,004). The PAD was more frequent among diabetics in Parakou. The associated factors must be taken into account in order to improve the management of the disease and to reduce the burden of the PAD.

[Protein C deficiency in black African with venous thromboembolism in Cotonou, Benin]. / Étude du déficit en protéine c dans la maladie thromboembolique veineuse au CNHU de Cotonou : étude réalisée chez 54 patients noirs africains vivant à Cotonou.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the frequency of protein C deficiency in venous thromboembolism in black African patients of Benin. It is a descriptive study. Inclusion criteria were: acceptance- having a venous thromboembolism. No exlusion criteria was retained. Protein C deficiency was diagnosed by quantitative technic with a Minividas materiel in the blood. Protein C dosage has been done before antivitamin k therapy and a second dosage has been done if the first one demonstrated a low level of protein C. Acuired aetiology have been research. For the 54 patients of this study mean age was 52.7±14.1 and sex-ratio 1.08. The frequency of protein C deficiency was 9.3% in all patients and 12.5% in those with clinical thrombophily (p=1). No acquired deficit has been found.

Prevalence of xerosis, eczema, and hair and nail abnormalities in PLWHA in Cotonou, Benin.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this investigation was to study the prevalence of xerosis, eczema, and hair and nail abnormalities in PLWHA in Cotonou. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on the records of PLWHA in Cotonou. All PLWHA with xerosis, eczema, or abnormal appendages were included. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients had xerosis or eczema. Their mean age was 38 years; the sex ratio 0.51 and the mean CD4 count 89 cells/mm(3). Twenty-three patients had xerosis, which affected the whole body (n = 20), lower limb (n = 2), limbs and trunk (n = 1), without gender difference. Twenty-four patients had eczema of which eight had both eczema and xerosis. Forty-two patients had abnormalities of the hair or nails. Their sex ratio was 0.80 and the mean CD4 count 110 cells/mm(3) . Nineteen patients had abnormalities of the hair and scalp: straight hair (n = 16), squamous lesions (n = 2), and folliculitis abscess (n = 1) with a male predominance. Twenty-three patients had nail dermatophytosis (n = 15), candidiasis (n = 7), and ingrowing nails (n = 1). These conditions affected more often women (74%) than men (26%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of eczema and xerosis is low in our patients. Onychomycosis was the most frequent nail abnormality.

[Atypical venous thrombosis and protein S deficiency: report of a case]. / Thromboses veineuses atypiques multiples révélatrices d'un déficit en protéine S: a propos d'un cas.

A 29 year old man is admitted for hypovemic shock and abdominal pain. This critical condition was due to a diffuse mesenteric venous thrombosis and intestinal infarction. Five meters of small bowel are resected. Few days later a superficial brachial venous thromboembolism grows to superior cava venous and bilateral pulmonary embolism. A plasmatic protein S level was 17%. This deficiency is considered to be the support of these atypical extended and repetitive venous thromboembolism. With an optimal nutrition and long oral anticoagulation this patient is alive 17 months after his admission.

[Recurring pulmonary embolism despite the presence of a vena cava filter: a case report from the CNHU Cotonou-Benin]. / Embolie pulmonaire récidivante malgré la présence d'un filtre cave définitif: á propos d'un cas observé au CNHU de Cotonou-Bénin.

A 50-year-old man presents several clinical signs of pulmonary embolism, but this diagnosis was excluded due to the lack of venous thrombosis of the lower limbs and because the presence of a vena cava filter. The same signs reoccurred a few months later, leading to the diagnosis of venous thrombosis of the lower limbs with severe successive pulmonary embolism. This clinical case illustrates the potentially incomplete efficacy of vena cava filters for the prevention of pulmonary embolism.