Facteurs associés à l'hospitalisation prolongée et à la mortalité au niveau du service de néphrologie de l'hôpital Aristide Le Dantec de Dakar / Factors associated with prolonged hospitalization and mortality in the nephrology department of the Aristide Le Dantec hospital in Dakar

Introduction : L'hospitalisation en néphrologie n'avait pas fait l'objet de plusieurs études au Sénégal et les données sont limitées. Notre travail avait pour but de déterminer les facteurs associés à l'hospitalisation prolongée et à la mortalité en néphrologie. Patients et méthodes : Il s'agissait d'une étude observationnelle prospective de 5 mois incluant tous les patients hospitalisés dans le service durant au moins 24H. La durée d'hospitalisation (la période allant du jour d'admission dans la chambre d'hospitalisation au jour de sortie du patient) était dite prolongée si > 12 jours. Résultats : Quatre-vingt-dix-neuf patients ont été analysés durant cette période avec une durée moyenne en hospitalisation de 11,14 ± 9,89 jours. L'âge moyen était de 45,22 ± 18,03 ans avec un sex-ratio (H/F) de 0,62. Les anomalies biologiques étaient : l'hyponatrémie (62,36%), l'hypokaliémie (23,91%), l'hypocalcémie (25%), l'hyperphosphatémie (51,21%), l'anémie (92,30%), la CRP élevée (90,90%) et l'hypoalbuminémie (80,76%). La protéinurie moyenne était de 3,38 ± 3,35 g/24h avec 34,61% de protéinurie néphrotique. La mortalité hospitalière était de 25,25%. En analyse univariée, l'hospitalisation prolongée était associée à l'âge ≤ 45 ans (p = 0,018), aux patients non dialysés chroniques (p=0,034), à la transfusion sanguine (p=0,008) tandis que la mortalité était liée à l'âge de plus de 45 ans (p=0,032), le diabète (p=0,014), l'hypokaliémie (p=0,045) et l'hospitalisation prolongé (p=0,007). En analyse multivariée, les patients présentant des œdèmes et ceux ayant été transfusés avaient respectivement 2,89 et 3,9 fois plus de risque d'avoir une hospitalisation prolongée. Les patients diabétiques avaient 4,63 fois plus de risque de décès et ceux ayant été hospitalisés de plus de 12 jours avaient 0,14 fois de risque de décès. Conclusion : La durée d'hospitalisation était relativement prolongée avec une mortalité élevée. Cependant l'impact de certains facteurs a été démontré permettant ainsi de réduire la durée d'hospitalisation et le nombre de décès.

Introduction: Hospitalization in nephrology had not been the subject of several studies in Senegal and the data are limited. Our work aimed to determine the factors associated with prolonged hospitalization and mortality in nephrology. Patients and methods: This was a 5-month prospective observational study including all patients hospitalized in the department for at least 24 hours. The duration of hospitalization (the period from the day of admission to the hospital room to the day of the patient's discharge) was said to be prolonged if > 12 days. Results: Ninety-nine patients were analyzed during this period with an average hospital stay of 11.14 ± 9.89 days. The mean age was 45.22 ± 18.03 years with a sex ratio (M/F) of 0.62. The biological abnormalities were: hyponatremia (62.36%), hypokalemia (23.91%), hypocalcemia (25%), hyperphosphatemia (51.21%), anemia (92.30 %), elevated CRP (90.90%) and hypoalbuminemia (80.76%). The mean proteinuria was 3.38 ± 3.35 g/24h with 34.61% nephrotic proteinuria. Hospital mortality was 25.25%. In univariate analysis, prolonged hospitalization was associated with age ≤ 45 years (p = 0.018), chronic non-dialysis patients (p = 0.034), blood transfusion (p = 0.008) while mortality was related to age over 45 (p=0.032), diabetes (p=0.014), hypokalaemia (p=0.045) and prolonged hospitalization (p=0.007). In multivariate analysis, patients with edema and those who had been transfused were respectively 2.89 and 3.9 times more likely to have prolonged hospitalization. Diabetic patients had a 4.63 times greater risk of death and those who had been hospitalized for more than 12 days had a 0.14 times greater risk of death. Conclusion: The duration of hospitalization was relatively prolonged with high mortality. However, the impact of certain factors has been demonstrated, thus making it possible to reduce the duration of hospitalization and the number of deaths

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis.

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a rare but potentially lethal complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). Peritoneal tuberculosis is considered an etiologic factor. We report a case of EPS in a 40-year-old man who was switched to hemodialysis because of peritoneal tuberculosis after 2 years of PD. Because of the persistence of gastrointestinal symptoms and cachexia, laparoscopic exploration was performed, which revealed an important thickening of the peritoneal membrane sheathing the intestinal loops. Accordingly, a diagnosis of EPS was made. Anti-tuberculosis treatment associated with a low dose of corticosteroids stabilized the disease.

[Lupus nephropathy in black patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in Senegal: 43 cases]. / Néphropathie lupique chez les sujets génétiquement pigmentés vivant au Sénégal : à propos de quarante-trois cas.

UNLABELLED: This study sought to assess the prevalence of lupus nephropathy and to determine its clinical, histological, therapeutic and outcome profiles. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study examined records covering a 10-year period from 1999 to 2009 at the nephrology department of the Aristide Le Dantec University Hospital Center. RESULTS: The records showed 43 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and 72% had lupus nephritis. The patients' mean age was 32.9 years; 40 were women and 3 men, for a sex ratio of 0.075. The lupus nephritis led to discovery of SLE in 27.9%. The mean proteinuria concentration was 2.01 g/dL. Seventeen patients had impaired renal function, and 26 had renal biopsies. It found class II nephritis in 2 patients, class IV in 10, and class V in 12. In addition, fifteen patients received combined corticosteroid + immunosuppressant treatment. Four patients died during the study period, one from SLE activity, two from complications of renal failure, and the fourth from sepsis. CONCLUSION: A larger study would be useful to assess more acurately the prevalence of various classes and severity of lupus nephropathy among blacks living in sub-Saharan Africa.

[Quality of life in hemodialysis patients in Dakar: differences for the tropics?]. / Qualité de vie des patients en hémodialyse à Dakar (Sénégal): quelles particularités pour les personnes vivant en milieu tropical ?

UNLABELLED: In recent years, measuring quality of life (QoL) to quantify the impact of disease on patients' lives has become widespread. We conducted a study to evaluate the QoL of hemodialysis patients in Dakar and to identify factors that influence it. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study took place from May through July 2008 in two hemodialysis centers in the city of Dakar. It included all patients who had been undergoing dialysis for more than 3 months, were in stable clinical condition with no hospitalization in the previous month and consented to participate. QoL was assessed with the Kidney Disease Quality Of Life Short-Form version 1.2 (KDQoL-SF), which comprises 43 items specific to kidney disease as well as the 36 items of the SF-36. RESULTS: Our study included 60 patients. Their mean age was 50.5 years, and the male/female sex ratio was 0.9. The global mean score (for the SF-36 was 45.7 ± 25.5, 41 ± 24.4 for the physical dimension and 53.6 ± 27.3 for the mental health dimension. The mean global KDQoL score was 55.2 ± 24.0, 44.8 ± 26.1 for the physical dimension, and 54.8 ± 24.4 for the mental health dimension, 60.8 ± 21.3 for the specific dimension of dialysis and 78.4 ± 22.3 for patient satisfaction. The study shows that the QoL of 90% of our patients was impaired by their kidney disease. CONCLUSION: Studies that focus on QoL of dialysis patients are rare in Africa. This one showed an impaired QoL, especially for physical health, among our hemodialysis patients.

Schistosoma hematobium-associated glomerulopathy.

Schistosomiasis is the second most devastating tropical parasitic disease worldwide and is responsible for many urological complications. However, glomerular injury is a rare complication mainly described with Schistosoma mansoni. We report a case of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) associated with Schistosoma hematobium infection in a young Senegalese boy living in a rural area. Clinical presentation was with steroid-resistant with nephrotic syndrome. Renal biopsy showed type 1 MPGN with the presence of S. hematobium eggs surrounded by a gigantocellular granuloma. Despite therapy with antihelminthic and immunosuppressive drugs, evolution was characterized by progression to end-stage renal disease over 1 year. More efforts should be made on the prevention and early detection of schistosomiasis among at-risk populations.

Pseudopheochromocytoma: An uncommon cause of malignant hypertension.

A 42-year-old black African patient was admitted in the emergency department with severe headache, dizziness, and visual problems. He had been treated for hypertension diagnosed eight months ago after a similar episode. He was taking atenolol 100 mg /day, amlodipine 10 mg/day, and a combination of lisinopril 20 mg/hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg daily but experienced several hypertension peaks and hypotension. He adhered to treatment and was neither using traditional herbal medication nor illicit drugs. He did not smoke, but used to drink 1-2 glasses of wine after dinner. At admission, his blood pressure was 235/145 mm of Hg. His body mass index was 25.5 kg/m(2) and the waist/hip ratio was 0.9. Physical examination was unremarkable. Fundoscopic examination revealed hypertensive retinopathy. Biochemical and imaging explorations were compatible with diagnosis of pseudopheochromocytoma. Evolution was favourable after treatment with alpha-1 and beta-blokers.

[Nephrotic syndrom with focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis in Dakar: epidemiological and clinicopathological characteristics (about 134 cases)]. / Le syndrome néphrotique avec hyalinose segmentaire et focale a Dakar: aspects épidémiologiques et anatomocliniques (a propos de 134 cas).

Focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is common and non-specific patterns of glomerular injury encountered in human renal biopsies. Cortico-resistant nephrotic syndrome is the main manifestation. We report epidemiological, clinical and pathological aspects of FSGS in Dakar. We report the results of a retrospective study about focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) identified from 258 kidney biopsies performed in the medical clinic 1 of A. Le Dantec hospital from January 1993 to December 2003. FSG is found in 134 cases (52%), membranous glomerulonephritis in 32 cases (12,4%), minimal change disease in 20 cases (7.7%). Ninety eigths files were exploitable. FSGS has male gender predominance with a sex ratio of 3. Median age of patients is 28 years (15 and 79 years). Symptomatology is dominated by oedema in 86 cases (87,7%), hypertension in 12 cases (12.2%), hematuria in 5 cases (5.1%), nephrotic proteinuria in 65 cases (66,3%) and no nephrotic proteinuria in 33 cases (33.6%), renal failure in 25 cases (25%)and leucocyturia in 18 cases (18%). FSGS involving more than 50% of glomeruli is encountered in 41 cases (42%), severe interstitial fibrosis is associated in 26 cases. Different pathological aspects are: classical FSGS in 88 cases (88.7%), FSGS " collapsing" in 7 cases (7.1%), FSG "tip-lesion" in one case, FSGS associated to membranous glomerulosclerosis in 2 cases and to diabetic glomerulosclerosis in one case. FSGS is primitive in 88 cases (89,8%) and secondary in 10 cases (10.2%). FSGS is the most common primitive glomerulopathy in Dakar. Nephrotic syndrome is the main manifestation of this disease. Collapsing FSGS is not correlated with the HIV Infection.

Lupus nephritis in Senegal: a study of 42 cases.

Renal involvement determines the prognosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aims of this study were to assess the clinical, laboratory and therapeutic aspects of lupus nephritis (LN) in Senegal in order to improve its management. We included all patients presenting with SLE followed-up in the Internal Medicine and Dermatology Clinics of the Aristide Le Dantec University Teaching Hospital of Dakar, from January 1993 to December 2002. Patients with SLE without evidence of LN (defined by proteinuria more than 0.5 g/24 hours and/or hematuria) were excluded. A total of 74 patients with a diagnosis of SLE were studied, 42 of whom (56.75%) had features of LN. Their mean age was 29.6 years and male-female ratio was 0.13. The nephrotic syndrome was seen in 45.23% of the cases and renal insufficiency in 37.71%. Renal biopsy was performed in 52.38% of the cases, which showed predominantly WHO classes IV and V lesions. The main treatment modality employed was corticosteroids, while immunosuppressive drugs in addition were used in 35.71% of the patients. The short-term prognosis was favorable but in the middle-term, many patients were lost to follow-up. We conclude that early diagnosis by systematic urine screening, good patient information, percutaneous renal biopsy and use of appropriate immunosuppressive therapy will help improving the prognosis of LN in Senegal.

[Current aspects of systemic lupus erythematosus in Dakar. About 74 cases]. / Aspects actuels du lupus erythemateux systemique a Dakar. A propos de 74 observations.

INTRODUCTION: previously reported studies on systemic lupus erythematosus in Senegal were more then ten years old and reported few cases of patients. Our objectives were to update epidemiological, clinical, laboratory and evolutive aspects of systemic lupus erythematosus throughout a study of 74 patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: we conducted a retrospective study in the internal medicine and the dermatology units of the university teaching hospital Aristide Le Dantec from January 1993 to December 2002. All patients with systemic lupus erythematosus according to the ACR criteria were included. Those who didn't meet ACR criteria were excluded. RESULTS: we included 74 patients; their mean age was 32 years and the sex ratio 0.1 (male to female). At the entry general symptoms were constants, and cutaneous signs were found in 96% of cases, joints signs in 58.1% and renal sign in 56.8%. Haematological and immunologic abnormalities were nearly constant. All the patients received corticosteroids and in 35.71% they had in addition immunosuppressive drugs. Shorts term evolution was satisfactory. At the medium term 27.02% of the patients were lost and 10.81% of them died. CONCLUSION: currents aspects of systemic lupus erythematosus in Dakar are improved by the early diagnosis when the disease is pauci-symptomatic and by the use immunosuppressive drugs in association with corticosteroids.

[Lupus nephritis in Senegal: study of 42 cases]. / La néphropathie lupique au Sénégal: a propos de 42 cas.

INTRODUCTION: Renal involvement determines the prognosis of systemic lupus erythematosus. The aims of this study were to precise clinical, laboratory, therapeutic and evolutive aspects of lupus nephritis in Senegal in order to improve its management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: According to ACR criteria we included all patients presenting a systemic lupus erythematosus followed in internal medicine and in the dermatology services of university teaching hospital Aristide le Dantec of Dakar from January 1993 to December 2002. All the patients who didn't have a lupus nephritis defined by the existence of more than 0.5 g/24 h of proteinuria and or hematuria were excluded. RESULTS: The prevalence of lupus nephritis was 56.75% among 74 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Mean age was 29.6 years and sex ratio 0.13 (male to female). There was a nephritic syndrome in 45.23% of the cases and renal insufficiency in 37.71%. Renal biopsy performed in 52.38% of cases showed predominantly WHO classes IV and V. The key treatment was corticotherapy while immunosuppressive were used in 35.71%. The short term evolution was favourable but in the medium term, many patients were lost or followed up irregularly. CONCLUSION: To improve the management and the prognosis of lupus nephritis in Senegal it is necessary to make patients with a systemic lupus erythematosus sensitive to it and to make systematically urine tests aiming the screening for an early diagnosis of lupus nephritis. In addition we should have aggressive policies in order to lower the costs of immunosuppressive therapy and haemodialysis.

[Undesirable effects of methothrexate during treatment of rheumatoid arthritis]. / Tolerance du méthotrexate dans le traitement de lapolyarthrite rhumatoïde.

INTRODUCTION: Methotrexate used as antimetabolite since 40 years in cancerology, is curretly pointed out at weak dose in the treatment of rheumatoid arthitis. However, the intervening of undesirable effects is currently the principal factor limiting its use. The main of our study was evaluate the nature and the frequency of undesirable effects during treatement of rhumatoid arthritis by methotrexate in a prospective study in the department of internal medecine of A.L.D hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty patients were included in the study, they were 43 female and 7 male (sex ratio of 0.161).The mean age were 40.8 years, ranging from 18 to 68. The mean last of MTX treatment was 16.58 months, ranging from 1 to 64. RESULTS: Twenty seven patients (54%) had at least one undesirable effect. Undesirable effect appeared early in 74.1%. they were 61.5% when MTX was associated with others drugs versus 27.3% when MTX was used alone. Undesirable effects mostly were digestives (38%), general (30%), mucouscutaneous (8%) and hepatics (2%).for patients undesirable effects had involved. They were responsable of definitive stopping treatment in two cases of pulmonary tuberculosis.

La nephropathie lupique au Senegal : a propos de 42 cas

Introduction : La nephropathie lupique fixe le pronostic du lupus systemique. Nos buts etaient de determiner au Senegal ses aspects; cliniques; paracliniques; therapeutiques et evolutifs afin de contribuer a sa meilleure prise en charge. Patients et methode : Nous avons; selon les criteres diagnostiques de l'ACR; inclus les patients lupiques; suivis dans les services de Medecine Interne et de Dermatologie du CHU Aristide Le Dantec de Dakar de Janvier 1993 a Decembre 2002. Etaient exclus ceux qui n'avaient pas une nephropathie lupique definie par l'existence d'une proteinurie superieure a 0;5 g/24 heures et/ou d'une hematurie. Resultats : La frequence hospitaliere de la nephropathie lupique etait de 56;75parmi 74 patients lupiques. L'age moyen etait de 29;6 ans et le sex-ratio de 0;13 (5 hommes; 37 femmes). Un syndrome nephrotique existait dans 45;23des cas et une insuffisance renale dans 37;71des cas. La ponction biopsie renale faite dans 52;38des cas; montrait une predominance des classes V et IV de l'OMS. Le traitement de base etait la corticotherapie. Les immunosuppresseurs etaient utilises dans 35;71des cas. L'evolution a court terme etait favorable mais a moyen terme elle ne pouvait pas etre appreciee du fait du nombre eleve de perdus de vue et de patients suivis irregulierement. Conclusion : Un depistage precoce; une meilleure sensibilisation des patients; une baisse du cout des immunosuppresseurs et une accessibilite des moyens d'epuration extra-renale; amelioreraient la prise en charge de la nephropathie lupique au Senegal

Tolerance du methotrexate dans le traitement de la polyarthrite rhumatoide

Introduction : Le methotrexate (MTX) utilise comme antimetabolite depuis pres de 40 ans en cancerologie; est actuellement indique a faible dose dans le traitement de fond de la PR. Cependant; la survenue d'effets indesirables est actuellement le principal facteur limitant son utilisation. Les objectifs de notre travail etaient d'evaluer la nature et la frequence des effets indesirables au cours du traitement de la PR par le MTX a partir d'une etude prospective en Medecine Interne. Materiels et methodes : Cinquante patients ont ete colliges dont 43 femmes et 7 hommes soit un sex-ratio de 0;161. L'age moyen etait de 40;8 ans; extremes (18-68). La duree moyenne du traitement au MTX etait de 16;58 mois; extremes (1-64). Resultats : Vingt sept patients soit 54ont presente au moins un effet indesirable. Ces effets indesirables etaient digestifs (38); d'ordre general (30); cutaneo-muqueux (8) et hepatiques (2). Ces effets secondaires ont persiste chez 19 patients; et ont ete responsable d'arret du traitement : provisoire chez 7 patients et definitifs chez 2 autres qui presentaient une tuberculose pulmonaire

[Senegalese case of thromboangeitis obliterans or Buerger's disease]. / Premiere observation Senegalaise de thromboangeite obliterante ou maladie de Buerger.

INTRODUCTION: Thromboangeitis obliterans (TAO) is an inflammatory, non atheromatous arteriopathy of smoking young adults. It is diagnosed on an association of non specific criteria that we discuss throughout this case. CASE REPORT AND DISCUSSION: A forty years old tabagical, Senegalese black man, had peripheral destructive lesions preceded by Raynaud phenomenon. He was admitted in our Internal Medicine department in November 2002. Actually this clinical presentation was evolving since 11 years. At that time, hypo aesthesia and ulceration of the fingers led to successive amputations in the leprology centre. The diagnosis of Hansen disease had been suspected but there were no evidence of mycobacterium. At the admission in our service, biological tests showed a moderated non-specific inflammatory syndrome. Ultra sound Doppler and arteriography showed a peripheral arterial stenosis without atheromatous lesions, in favour of TAO. To meet all the criteria the patient didn't have any thrombotic or systemic disease. The evolution was favourable after tobacco weaning. CONCLUSION: TAO can bring to difficulties of diagnosis by its way of presentation. Physicians should practice a systematic vascular screening in case of distal arteriopathy.

[Secondary hyperparathyroidism of chronic hemodialysis]. / Hyperparathyroïdie secondaire chez les hémodialyses chroniques a Dakar.

Secondary hyperparathyroidism is defined as autonomic secretion of parathormon (PTH) whose 1-84 fraction level is up to 60 ng/l. The aim of this study was to determine incidence of secondary hyperparathyroidism on patients undergoing hemodialysis in Le Dantec Hospital of Dakar, and describe its diagnostic and therapeutical aspects. Between 22 patients followed in chronically hemodialysis, 11 patients had effective blood test of parathormon. Seven of them had high level of PTH and the other had normal rate. They were 5 men and 7 women with a mean age of 56 years. The mean duration undergoing hemodialysis was 42 months. Clinical signs were rare and non specific, dominated bony pains and anemia. Ectopic calcifications had been found in 3 cases. Hypocalcemia was present in 5 cases and high level of phosphoremia in all cases. The D3 vitamin was at a normal rate in all cases up to 10 ng/ml. Calcium supplementation with 1.5 to 2.5 g/day was effective associated with rich calcium dietary. This level of calcium supplementation appeared too low even though it must be closely estimated because of the possibility of improving ectopic calcifications. At the opposite, D3 vitamin supplementation seems to be unuseful under tropical areas.

[An incomplete form of pachydermoperiostosis. Diagnosis of finger clubbing]. / Une forme incomplète de pachydermopériostose. Diagnostic d'un hippocratisme digital.

INTRODUCTION: The finger clubbing is most of the time associated with cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. Pachydermoperiostosis also known as osteodermopathic syndrome, an hereditary disorder, is a rare cause of finger clubbing which might be difficult to diagnose in an incomplete form. EXEGESIS: We report a 36 years old black man presenting over many years polyarthralgias, broadening of fingers and clubbing of the fingers and toes extremities. This was mentioned on other family members. The physical examination was otherwise unremarkable. There were no skin thickening, no psoriasis-like and cardio-pulmonary disease features. These following exams were normal; Hemogram, fibrinogen, C reactive protein, rheumatoïd factor, serum calcium and phosphorus, thyroid hormones, growth hormone, chest X-ray, gastroduodenoscopy, electrocardiogram. The skeletal X-ray documented a widespread bone formation, a sacro-iliac osteosclerosis and interosseous ossifications betwen tibias and fibulas. CONCLUSION: Pachydermoperiostosis diagnosis was set up on 3 out of the 4 Borochowitz criteria. The absence of pachyderma defines this incomplete form. The osteoarticular manifestations lead mainly to differential diagnosis with the secondary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy and chronic inflammatory rheumatisms. The underlying pathogenic mechanism of this disease remains still unclear.

[Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis with a 20-year follow-up ]. / Evolution sur 20 ans d'une réticulohistiocytose multicentrique.

INTRODUCTION: Multicentric reticulo-histiocytosis also known as lipoid dermoarthritis is a rare systemic disease leading to a massive osteoarticular destruction and systemic complications. EXEGESIS: This case report is a 44 year old black woman who was first seen with a rheumatoid arthritis clinical presentation associated with the presence of rheumatoïd factor. Five years later the diagnosis has been reconsidered after skin nodules histological examination. After that the patient has been lost from the follow up clinic. After a twenty years evolution she presented a complex clinical picture including: a cutaneous syndrome with a non pruriginous and hyperchromic papulonodular rash on the arms and fore-arms; a very destructive polyarthritis with major handicap; and systemic manifestations like cardiomyopathy with heart failure. The heart failure treatment associated first corticosteroids and secondary chloroquine was successful. CONCLUSION: The rheumatoid factor presence should not avoid to consider the possibility of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis in case of polyarthritis associated with a papulonodular rash. Then skin biopsy must be performed. The severity of osteoarticular and systemic lesions require an early prescription of a treatment for which there is so far no compromise.

[Analysis of 115 kidney biopsies performed in Dakar (Senegal)]. / Analyse de 115 biopsies rénales réalisées à Dakar (Sénégal).

Few data are now avalable concerning renal pathology in black African. That is why we under took this study as a contribution to the better knowlege of pathological aspects of kidney disease in Dakar by analysing our 6 years's experience. It was a retrospective study concerning all the patients who underwent renal biopsyfrom January 1993 to December 1998. The samples were studied on light microscopy and immunoflorescence at the nephrology unit of Necker Hospital in Paris. We performed 115 renal biopsies during this period conceming 64 males and 51 females from 5 to 60 years old (mean age 28 years). Nephrotic syndrome represented 67% of the indications, followed by lupus nephritis (13%). We found primary glomerulonephritis in 75% of all cases. Anatomicaly, 54 cases of focal and segmental hyalinosis were found (47% of all biopsies). The other lesions were extra-membranous glomerulonephritis (8,6%), minimal change glomerulonephritis 6%, endo and extra-capillary glomerulonephritis 2,6%, Mesangial glomerulonephrits, extra-capillary glomerunephrotis, IgA nephropaty represented each 1,7%. In 5% of cases the lesions did not permit a precise classification. Focal and segmental hyalinosis is the main primary lesion and lupus nephritis the main secondary one in kidney deseases biopsied in Dakar.