Uncovering the genetic architecture and evolutionary roots of androgenetic alopecia in African men

Androgenetic alopecia is a highly heritable trait. However, much of our understanding about the genetics of male pattern baldness comes from individuals of European descent. Here, we examined a novel dataset comprising 2,136 men from Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa that were genotyped using a custom array. We first tested how genetic predictions of baldness generalize from Europe to Africa, finding that polygenic scores from European GWAS yielded AUC statistics that ranged from 0.513 to 0.546, indicating that genetic predictions of baldness in African populations performed notably worse than in European populations. Subsequently, we conducted the first African GWAS of androgenetic alopecia, focusing on self-reported baldness patterns at age 45. After correcting for present age, population structure, and study site, we identified 266 moderately significant associations, 51 of which were independent (p-value < 10-5, r2 < 0.2). Most baldness associations were autosomal, and the X chromosomes does not appear to have a large impact on baldness in African men. Finally, we examined the evolutionary causes of continental differences in genetic architecture. Although Neanderthal alleles have previously been associated with skin and hair phenotypes, we did not find evidence that European-ascertained baldness hits were enriched for signatures of ancient introgression. Most loci that are associated with androgenetic alopecia are evolving neutrally. However, multiple baldness-associated SNPs near the EDA2R and AR genes have large allele frequency differences between continents. Collectively, our findings illustrate how evolutionary history contributes to the limited portability of genetic predictions across ancestries.

Characterizing prostate cancer risk through multi-ancestry genome-wide discovery of 187 novel risk variants

The transferability and clinical value of genetic risk scores (GRSs) across populations remain limited due to an imbalance in genetic studies across ancestrally diverse populations. Here we conducted a multi-ancestry genome-wide association study of 156,319 prostate cancer cases and 788,443 controls of European, African, Asian and Hispanic men, reflecting a 57% increase in the number of non-European cases over previous prostate cancer genome-wide association studies. We identified 187 novel risk variants for prostate cancer, increasing the total number of risk variants to 451. An externally replicated multi-ancestry GRS was associated with risk that ranged from 1.8 (per standard deviation) in African ancestry men to 2.2 in European ancestry men. The GRS was associated with a greater risk of aggressive versus non-aggressive disease in men of African ancestry (P = 0.03). Our study presents novel prostate cancer susceptibility loci and a GRS with effective risk stratification across ancestry groups.

Evidence of Novel Susceptibility Variants for Prostate Cancer and a Multiancestry Polygenic Risk Score Associated with Aggressive Disease in Men of African Ancestry

BACKGROUND

Genetic factors play an important role in prostate cancer (PCa) susceptibility.

OBJECTIVE

To discover common genetic variants contributing to the risk of PCa in men of African ancestry.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

We conducted a meta-analysis of ten genome-wide association studies consisting of 19378 cases and 61620 controls of African ancestry.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Common genotyped and imputed variants were tested for their association with PCa risk. Novel susceptibility loci were identified and incorporated into a multiancestry polygenic risk score (PRS). The PRS was evaluated for associations with PCa risk and disease aggressiveness.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Nine novel susceptibility loci for PCa were identified, of which seven were only found or substantially more common in men of African ancestry, including an African-specific stop-gain variant in the prostate-specific gene anoctamin 7 (ANO7). A multiancestry PRS of 278 risk variants conferred strong associations with PCa risk in African ancestry studies (odds ratios [ORs] >3 and >5 for men in the top PRS decile and percentile, respectively). More importantly, compared with men in the 40-60% PRS category, men in the top PRS decile had a significantly higher risk of aggressive PCa (OR = 1.23, 95% confidence interval = 1.10-1.38, p = 4.4 × 10-4).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates the importance of large-scale genetic studies in men of African ancestry for a better understanding of PCa susceptibility in this high-risk population and suggests a potential clinical utility of PRS in differentiating between the risks of developing aggressive and nonaggressive disease in men of African ancestry.

PATIENT SUMMARY

In this large genetic study in men of African ancestry, we discovered nine novel prostate cancer (PCa) risk variants. We also showed that a multiancestry polygenic risk score was effective in stratifying PCa risk, and was able to differentiate risk of aggressive and nonaggressive disease.

Testing the generalizability of ancestry-specific polygenic risk scores to predict prostate cancer in sub-Saharan Africa

BACKGROUND

Genome-wide association studies do not always replicate well across populations, limiting the generalizability of polygenic risk scores (PRS). Despite higher incidence and mortality rates of prostate cancer in men of African descent, much of what is known about cancer genetics comes from populations of European descent. To understand how well genetic predictions perform in different populations, we evaluated test characteristics of PRS from three previous studies using data from the UK Biobank and a novel dataset of 1298 prostate cancer cases and 1333 controls from Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa.

RESULTS

Allele frequency differences cause predicted risks of prostate cancer to vary across populations. However, natural selection is not the primary driver of these differences. Comparing continental datasets, we find that polygenic predictions of case vs. control status are more effective for European individuals (AUC 0.608-0.707, OR 2.37-5.71) than for African individuals (AUC 0.502-0.585, OR 0.95-2.01). Furthermore, PRS that leverage information from African Americans yield modest AUC and odds ratio improvements for sub-Saharan African individuals. These improvements were larger for West Africans than for South Africans. Finally, we find that existing PRS are largely unable to predict whether African individuals develop aggressive forms of prostate cancer, as specified by higher tumor stages or Gleason scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Genetic predictions of prostate cancer perform poorly if the study sample does not match the ancestry of the original GWAS. PRS built from European GWAS may be inadequate for application in non-European populations and perpetuate existing health disparities.

[Sexuality assessment of homozygous adult sickle cell patients with a history of priapism in Senegal]

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to evaluate the sexuality of SS sickle cell patients with a history of priapism.

METHODS

This was a case-control study of adult SS sickle cell patients. The occurrence of priapism as well as the nature of the priapism had been investigated. The patients were subdivided into three groups: Group 1 (no priapism), Group 2 (intermittent priapism) and Group 3 (acute priapism). The patients' sexuality was studied using the IIEF-15 questionnaire.

RESULTS

We interviewed 191 SS sickle cell patients. The mean age was 27.1±7.1 years. Priapism was observed in 43.5 %. Only 77 patients were eligible for the IIEF15 questionnaire. Groups 1 and 2 performed significantly better than group 3 on erectile function (EF) and orgasmic function (OF) scores. There was no significant difference in the EF and OF scores between groups 1 and 2. No significant difference was observed between the three groups for the scores of sexual desire (SD), intercourse satisfaction (IS), and overall satisfaction (OS). The impairment of erectile function in group 2 was related to the age of the first episode of priapism and the last episode. The impairment of erectile function in group 3 was related to the duration of evolution (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study shows that priapism is responsible for impaired erectile function in SS adult sickle cell patients. A program to prevent intermittent episodes of priapism should be put in place.

A Custom Genotyping Array Reveals Population-Level Heterogeneity for the Genetic Risks of Prostate Cancer and Other Cancers in Africa

Although prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality for African men, the vast majority of known disease associations have been detected in European study cohorts. Furthermore, most genome-wide association studies have used genotyping arrays that are hindered by SNP ascertainment bias. To overcome these disparities in genomic medicine, the Men of African Descent and Carcinoma of the Prostate (MADCaP) Network has developed a genotyping array that is optimized for African populations. The MADCaP Array contains more than 1.5 million markers and an imputation backbone that successfully tags over 94% of common genetic variants in African populations. This array also has a high density of markers in genomic regions associated with cancer susceptibility, including 8q24. We assessed the effectiveness of the MADCaP Array by genotyping 399 prostate cancer cases and 403 controls from seven urban study sites in sub-Saharan Africa. Samples from Ghana and Nigeria clustered together, whereas samples from Senegal and South Africa yielded distinct ancestry clusters. Using the MADCaP array, we identified cancer-associated loci that have large allele frequency differences across African populations. Polygenic risk scores for prostate cancer were higher in Nigeria than in Senegal. In summary, individual and population-level differences in prostate cancer risk were revealed using a novel genotyping array. SIGNIFICANCE: This study presents an Africa-specific genotyping array, which enables investigators to identify novel disease associations and to fine-map genetic loci that are associated with prostate and other cancers.

180° congenital penile torsion with distal hypospadias mistaken for an epispadias: Optimal outcome with tubularized incised plate urethroplasty and dartos flap rotation

INTRODUCTION

Severe penile torsion of 180° associated with hypospadias is a rare entity. Knowledge of penile anatomy and pathology are necessary as the diagnosis could be missed.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a case of severe 180° penile torsion with distal hypospadias that was mistaken for an epispadias which was corrected with surgery.

CONCLUSION

Tubularized incised plate urethroplasty and dartos flap rotation provided satisfactory result for this association.

A Review of Localized Prostate Cancer: An African Perspective

Prostate cancer is the second most common malignancy in males and the sixth leading cause of cancer mortality in men with a relatively higher death rate in men of African descent. In the United States and other parts of Europe, more than 80% of diagnosed prostate cancer is localized, and 80-90% of these men receive some form of treatment. The projected data may not be a direct reflection of the disease in the sub-Saharan region as less than 40% presents with localized disease. Results from prostate cancer screening have shown that most African men in the sub-region have little knowledge of the disease. There are recommended international guidelines for the management of localized prostate cancer, however, a guideline in a local context could be ideal.

Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Review of the Current Trend in Africa

Bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men and the 11th most common cancer in woman accounting for 6.6% of all cancer cases. Approximately 70-75% bladder cancers are non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). A few African studies have provided considerable rates of NMIBC as compared to western settings 70% to 85%. Critical step in the management of NMIBC is to prevent tumor recurrence which include transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT) for staging and histological diagnosis. A second TURBT for high grade tumor, T1 tumors and intravesical adjuvant chemotherapy and immunotherapy are essential to reduce recurrence rate. Nevertheless, variant histology, multiple, progressive and recurrent high-grade tumors are best treated with early radical cystectomy. The African literature is scanty on the management of NMIBC. Most of the histological types are squamous cell bladder cancer and may not conform to transurethral resection only but rather radical cystectomy. Most of these patients are not suitable for any form of treatment as they present with advanced disease. However, there is an increasing incidence of urothelial cancer in Africa over the years due to urbanization. It is best that major investment is made in uro-oncological care to address the growing challenge of these subtypes.

Global patterns of prostate cancer incidence, aggressiveness, and mortality in men of african descent

Prostate cancer (CaP) is the leading cancer among men of African descent in the USA, Caribbean, and Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The estimated number of CaP deaths in SSA during 2008 was more than five times that among African Americans and is expected to double in Africa by 2030. We summarize publicly available CaP data and collected data from the men of African descent and Carcinoma of the Prostate (MADCaP) Consortium and the African Caribbean Cancer Consortium (AC3) to evaluate CaP incidence and mortality in men of African descent worldwide. CaP incidence and mortality are highest in men of African descent in the USA and the Caribbean. Tumor stage and grade were highest in SSA. We report a higher proportion of T1 stage prostate tumors in countries with greater percent gross domestic product spent on health care and physicians per 100,000 persons. We also observed that regions with a higher proportion of advanced tumors reported lower mortality rates. This finding suggests that CaP is underdiagnosed and/or underreported in SSA men. Nonetheless, CaP incidence and mortality represent a significant public health problem in men of African descent around the world.

[Management of prostate cancer in Senegal: what is being done?]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the management of patients with prostate cancer in Senegal.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective descriptive study, based on the medical records of patients managed for prostate cancer during a period of six years and a half from January 1, 2004, to June 30, 2010. All records of inpatients and outpatients managed for prostate cancer were collected. Data collection was performed through a standardized survey form, and included the following parameters: age, presence or absence of known history of prostate cancer in siblings, circumstances of discovery, clinical and paraclinical examination, histology and therapeutic modalities.

RESULTS

We studied the records of 164 patients with prostate cancer. The mean age of our patients was 65years, ranging from 43 to 96years. The circumstances of diagnosis were mostly due to lower urinary tract symptoms. Digital rectal examination was suggestive in 87% of cases, and PSA levels were high in 100% of cases, ranging from 5.88ng/ml to 21,660ng/ml, with a mean of 1447.57ng/ml. Half of the patients had PSA levels greater than or equal to 100ng/ml. The most common histological type was adenocarcinoma. During the study period, 49 radical prostatectomies were performed. The mean PSA levels of patients who underwent a prostatectomy were 23.4ng/ml. Radical retropubic prostatectomy was performed in 35 patients, and radical perineal prostatectomy was performed in 10 cases. Pulpectomy was the method most commonly used in metastatic prostate cancer; it was performed in 48 patients. After resistance to castration, antiandrogens were reintroduced in 13 patients, and diethylstilbestrol in four patients. Only two patients underwent a taxane-based chemotherapy regimen.

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis of prostate cancer was usually tardive in Senegal. Treatment often involves surgical castration. Prostatectomy was only very seldom indicated.

Capacity building for the modified filarial hydrocelectomy technique in West Africa

To harmonise the technique of filarial hydrocelectomy throughout the West African subregion, training workshops were organized in 10 endemic West African countries involving surgeries on Filarial hydrocele patients (Filariceles). Countries included Ghana, Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Mali, Liberia, Gambia, Sierra Leone and Togo. Patients were recruited by the Filariasis programme managers in all these countries and workshops were done to train surgeons from teaching, government and district hospitals with funding mainly from the West African Filariasis Project. A total of 16 workshops were held in 10 West African Countries, and a total of 500 filarial hydrocele/chylocele cases were operated using the technique of total tunical resection without drainage with excellent postoperative results. The average operating time for a unilateral hydrocele was 45 min to 1h and for bilateral hydrocele was 1½ h to 2h depending on the size of the hydrocele .All patients were admitted for a minimum of 5 days postoperative. Training workshops were successfully organized in 10 out of the envisaged 12 west African Countries with 214 surgeons trained. Since 2004 till date the trained surgeons have also operated 2500 filaricele cases bringing it to a total of 3000 cases operated so far. Evaluation studies revealed that the infection rates in one country was initially 60% and then it later dropped to 20% and this was actually attributed to poor follow up by the selected National Coordinator. However complication rates in all the Countries where workshops were done ranged between 5% and 7% made up of infection, haematoma and or delayed wound healing. Recurrence rates have been very low about 3-5% per Country.

[Urinary incontinence in woman: epidemiologic profile in Sub Saharian countries]

The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiologic profile of urinary incontinence of the African woman of three Sub Saharan African countries.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A multicentric study summarized the epidemiological data collected in female from Nouakchott, Dakar and Ndjamena using a questionnaire. All participants filled an anonymous questionnaire including demographic data and marital status, medical, surgical, gynecological and obstetrical history and the characteristics of the urinary incontinence.

RESULTS

Overall, 3021 questionnaires were distributed, only 2070 answers (69%) could be processed. Mean age of the overall population was 28 years. Adult women aged less than 30 years accounted for 56% of the study population. The age group 30-49 years accounted for 42% of the population and only 2% of the study group had more than 50 years. The prevalence of incontinence was 367 cases over 2070 (17,7%). The types of incontinence found were: urgency in 28.6% of cases, stress incontinence in 38.4% of cases and mixed in 33% of cases. Approximately 23,9% of nulliparous and 23,5% of the multiparous had urinary incontinence. The leakage was occasional in 75% of the cases and regular in 25% of the cases. According to gravity, in 31% of cases the volume of urines lost necessitated a change of underwear. Of the women presenting urinary incontinence, 85 (23%) consulted a doctor. A psychosocial repercussion was found in 31% of the cases.

CONCLUSION

Urinary incontinence is much more frequent in our areas than it was thought to be because it was rarely acknowledged.

Evaluation of group genetic ancestry of populations from Philadelphia and Dakar in the context of sex-biased admixture in the Americas

Background

Population history can be reflected in group genetic ancestry, where genomic variation captured by the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and non-recombining portion of the Y chromosome (NRY) can separate female- and male-specific admixture processes. Genetic ancestry may influence genetic association studies due to differences in individual admixture within recently admixed populations like African Americans.

Principal Findings

We evaluated the genetic ancestry of Senegalese as well as European Americans and African Americans from Philadelphia. Senegalese mtDNA consisted of ∼12% U haplotypes (U6 and U5b1b haplotypes, common in North Africa) while the NRY haplotypes belonged solely to haplogroup E. In Philadelphia, we observed varying degrees of admixture. While African Americans have 9–10% mtDNAs and ∼31% NRYs of European origin, these results are not mirrored in the mtDNA/NRY pools of European Americans: they have less than 7% mtDNAs and less than 2% NRYs from non-European sources. Additionally, there is <2% Native American contribution to Philadelphian African American ancestry and the admixture from combined mtDNA/NRY estimates is consistent with the admixture derived from autosomal genetic data. To further dissect these estimates, we have analyzed our samples in the context of different demographic groups in the Americas.

Conclusions

We found that sex-biased admixture in African-derived populations is present throughout the Americas, with continual influence of European males, while Native American females contribute mainly to populations of the Caribbean and South America. The high non-European female contribution to the pool of European-derived populations is consistently characteristic of Iberian colonization. These data suggest that genomic data correlate well with historical records of colonization in the Americas.

Evaluation of prostate cancer characteristics in four populations worldwide

INTRODUCTION

Prostate cancer is common around the world, but rates of advanced disease differ substantially by race and geography. Although a major health issue, little is known about prostate cancer presentation in West Africa and India compared to the United States (US).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare prostate tumor characteristics in four populations of men from the US, Senegal and India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We recruited prostate cancer patients from four hospital-based populations. The sample included 338 African-Americans, 1265 European-Americans, 122 Asian Indians, and 72 Senegalese. Questionnaire and medical record data were collected on each participant.

RESULTS

We found significant differences in age at diagnosis, BMI, and PSA levels across the groups. Senegalese and Indian men had a higher probability of high stage (T3/T4) disease compared to US men. Gleason grade was significantly higher in Asian Indians compared to other populations. African-Americans, Senegalese, and Asian Indians had a significantly higher probability of metastatic disease compared to European Americans. The odds ratios (OR) for metastasis were consistently higher in Asian Indians compared to American cases. As only 19/72 Senegalese were assessed for metastasis, OR could not be determined for metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that there are significant geographical and ethnic differences in the presentation of prostate cancer. Men in developing countries tend to present with advanced disease compared to US men. Identifying risk factors for advanced disease may help to decrease the rate of poor prostate cancer outcomes and associated mortality worldwide.

Teaching radical prostatectomy in sub-Saharan Africa

In the United States alone, approximately 220,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be detected in 2007, and 27000 men will die of that disease. African American men will suffer disproportionately, having a prostate cancer incidence that is nearly 60% higher than their Caucasian counterparts. In fact, it is widely accepted that African American men have the highest incidence of prostate cancer in the world. This observation has led investigators to study the prostate cancer risk among African men in an effort to identify factors responsible for the high incidence of prostate cancer that plagues the African American population. Findings suggest that the public health burden of prostate cancer to native African men is substantial. Effective management of prostate cancer depends on early detection of the disease and its definitive treatment. Cost-effective management can be elusive. Radical prostatectomy can cure clinically localized disease and may offer long-term cancer control in patients with stage T3 disease. Of the various forms of radical prostatectomy, radical perineal prostatectomy is ideally suited to accomplish these goals in sub-Saharan Africa. A program to teach radical perineal prostatectomy has begun in Dakar, Senegal. It is a system based on graded surgical responsibility. High-quality audiovisual guides familiarize surgeons with the procedure's unique anatomic concerns. They then observe live procedures, assist in live procedures and eventually begin performing the live procedures under direct supervision. Repeated performance of the operation with simultaneous critique is the hallmark of this program, the goal of which is to establish a center of excellence where surgeons throughout the continent can come to learn this technique.

Genetic susceptibility to prostate cancer in men of African descent: implications for global disparities in incidence and outcomes

INTRODUCTION

Disparities in prostate cancer incidence and outcomes are a hallmark of the global pattern of prostate cancer, with men of African descent suffering disproportionately from this disease. The causes of these disparities are poorly understood.

METHODS

A review of the literature was undertaken to evaluate the role that genetic susceptibility may play in prostate cancer etiology and outcomes, with a particular emphasis on disparities.

RESULTS

The genetic contribution to prostate cancer is well established, and a number of candidate prostate cancer genes have been identified. Significant differences in the frequency of risk alleles in these genes have been identified across the major races. These allele frequency differences may in part explain an increased susceptibility to prostate cancer in some populations. In addition, non-genetic factors contribute significantly to prostate cancer disparities, and the cumulative contribution of both genetic and non-genetic factors to poor-prognosis prostate cancer may explain the poorer outcomes experienced by men of African descent.

CONCLUSIONS

Prostate cancer disparities are a function of genetic susceptibility as well as environment, behavior, and health care factors acting in the context of this genetic susceptibility. Elimination of global prostate cancer disparities requires a full understanding of the effects of all of these factors on prostate cancer etiology and outcomes.

Population Differences in the Frequency of the Agouti Signaling Protein g.8818A>G Polymorphism

The role of agouti signaling protein (ASIP) in human pigmentation pathways is not definitively understood although its murine homologue regulates, in part, pheomelanogenesis. We have reported an association of a polymorphism in the 3'-untranslated region of ASIP (g.8818A>G) with dark hair and eye color among a group of European-Americans (Am J Hum Genet 2002 March;70:770). Among 147 healthy control subjects, the frequency of the G-allele was 0.12. We hypothesized that this polymorphism would occur at different frequencies among different population groups. Using PCR-RFLP, we genotyped 25 East Asian, 86 African-American, and 207 West African individuals for the ASIP g.8818A>G polymorphism. The g.8818G-allele was present in the West African sample at a frequency of 0.80, in the African-American sample at a frequency of 0.62, and in the East Asian sample at 0.28. The difference in allele frequency among population groups was statistically significant (P < 0.0001). Although the effect of the g.8818A>G polymorphism upon ASIP function is unknown, the large difference in allele frequency between our West African and European-American sample populations lends support to the notion that this gene may be important in human pigmentation.

Ethnic differences in the frequency of prostate cancer susceptibility alleles at SRD5A2 and CYP3A4

OBJECTIVES

Ethnic differences in prostate cancer incidence are well documented, with African-Americans having among the highest rates in the world. Ethnic differences in genotypes for genes associated with androgen metabolism including SRD5A2 and CYP3A4 also may exist. The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in these genotypes by ethnicity.

METHODS

We studied cancer-free controls representative of four groups: 147 African Americans, 410 Caucasian-Americans, 129 Ghanaians, and 178 Senegalese. PCR-based genotype analysis was undertaken to identify two alleles (V89L, A49T) at SRD5A2 and *1B allele at CYP3A4.

RESULTS

Differences were observed for V89L (variant frequency of 30% in Caucasians, 27% in African Americans, 19% in Ghanaians, and 18% in Senegalese, p = 0.002) and were observed for CYP3A4*1B (variant frequencies of 8% in Caucasians, 59% in African Americans, 81% in Ghanaians, and 78% in Senegalese, p = 0.0001). Pooled data combining the present data and previously published data from from Asian, Hispanic, and Arab cancer-free controls showed significant ethnic differences for SRD5A2 and CYP3A4 polymorphisms. Overall, Asians were least likely to have alleles associated with increased prostate cancer risk, while Africans were most likely to have those alleles.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that ethnicity-specific differences in genotype frequencies exist for SRD5A2 and CYP3A4. Africans and African-Americans have the highest frequency of those alleles that have previously been associated with increased prostate cancer risk. Future studies should address whether allele frequency differences in part explain differences in prostate cancer incidence in these populations.

Clinical characteristics of prostate cancer in African Americans, American whites, and Senegalese men

OBJECTIVES

To describe the clinical features of prostate cancer in Senegalese men and compare these features with those found in African-American and white American men.

METHODS

We identified an unselected series of 121 patients with prostate cancer diagnosed at two hospitals in Dakar, Senegal between 1997 and 2002. Medical record abstractions were undertaken to evaluate the prostate tumor characteristics, patient age at diagnosis, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, and reason for referral. In addition, these characteristics were compared with a sample of 455 U.S. white men and 60 African-American men with prostate cancer who were studied as part of a prostate cancer case-control study.

RESULTS

Senegalese men had a significantly worse tumor stage than Americans (41.3% versus 18.8%, P <0.001), a significantly worse mean PSA level at diagnosis (mean PSA 72.7 ng/mL versus 9.0 ng/mL in Americans; P <0.001), and were diagnosed at a significantly later age than U.S. men (69 years versus 61 years, P <0.001). U.S. men were most likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer after an elevated PSA test, and Senegalese men were most often diagnosed after presenting for prostate-related symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

These observations are not unexpected given the differences in the patterns of prostate cancer screening and health care in the United States compared with Senegal. However, our data provide descriptive information about the characteristics of prostate cancer diagnosed in Senegal and highlight differences in the characteristics and detection of these tumors across populations with very different healthcare systems.

[Simultaneous treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy and inguinal hernia: an old procedure revisited]

The association of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and inguinal hernia still pose the problem of the chronology of their repair. Indeed, first hernial repair without removing the cervicoprostatic obstruction exposes to a high rate of recurrence due to the dysuria. The objective of this work was to report our experience about the simultaneous cure of the BPH and inguinal hernia. We have performed a retrospective study including a non consecutive series of 92 patients presenting both BPH and inguinal hernia. Studied parameters was age, occupation, clinical symptoms, the procedure and operative continuations. Mean age was 70.22 years old, range from 57 to 90 years old. Past history of inguinal hernia repair was found in 18.5%. 19.13% had hernial recurrence while 6.5% had contralateral hernia. Main clinical features were inguinal mass (43.5%) and acute urinary retention (11.9%). The average weight of prostatic tumor was 87.1 g. Surgery was performed under spinal anaesthesia in 96.8%. All patients underwent suprapubic transvesical prostatectomy. Hernial repair was done according to Bassini procedure in 82.6%, Mac Way procedure in 14.2% and Forgues procedure in 3.2%. The overall morbidity rate was 15.2%. The hernial recurrence rate was 7.6%. There was no postoperative mortality. The simultaneous repair of BPH and inguinal hernia offers some advantages. First of all, it reduces considerably the anaesthetic risk owing to the importance of cardiovascular diseases in aging patients. On and other hand, the low recurrence rate of the hernia and the substantial savings are adjunct advantages. We conclude that simultaneous repair of BPH and inguinal hernia is simple, safe and economic.

[Ureterocele in adults. Five case reports]

The authors report five cases of ureterocele during six years. Mean age of the patients was 34.2 +/- 11.1 years. There were four female and one male. Pain (N = 3) and dysuria (N = 3) were the most common symptoms at examination. Diagnosis was made by ultrasound (N = 3), IVU (N = 3) or cystoscopy (N = 1). Ureteroceles were bilateral in four cases, unilateral in one case and were always intravesical with single ureter. Two patients presented lithiasis enclosed in the ureterocele. Only four patients had been operated. Surgical treatment was ureterocelectomy with ureteral reimplantation according to Cohen procedure. With mean follow-up of 10.6 +/- 4.7 months results were stable without complications.

[Bladder lithiasis]

OBJECTIVE

to study the particularities of the bladder lithiasis in our countries. This was a retrospective study of 94 cases (62 men and 32 women) of bladder lithiasis over a period of 13 years. The lithogenic factors; clinic, paraclinic and therapeutic aspects have been studied. Morphoconstitutional analysis has been carded out in collaboration with Cristal Laboratory (St Cloud hospital center in France).

RESULTS

mean age was 24.2+/-20.7 years old. The principals mains of consultation were: dysuria (n =36), mictionnal pain (n = 28), hematuria (n = 15). Facilitating factors have been found in 27% of cases. In 10 cases, there was an association bladdder lithiasis and bladdder-vaginal fistula. Radiologic test was dominated by intraveinous urographic (53.19 of cases). The metabolic test showed hypercalcemia and cristalluria in 2 cases. In 7,45 % of cases, we have founding a renal failure. An urinary tract infection have been noticed in 42 % of cases. Open surgery has been the main treatement (96 %) associating in 15 % of cases the treatement of an uropathy. In one case the bladder lithiasis weighed 1120 g. The morphologic and spectrophotometric analysis of the lithiasis have been achieved in 13 % of cases showing the predominance of struvite.

CONCLUSION

the bladder lithiasis is still common in our countries; it could be good for us to access endoorporeals and extracorporeals therapeutic equipements in orderto reduce the indications of open surgery.

[Vesico-uterine fistulae. Report of 5 cases]

The authors report 5 cases of uterovesical fistula (UVF) and analyse some of the clinical and therapeutic aspects of this disease. The mean age of these 5 patients was 31.2 +/- 6.9 years. The trauma responsible for the fistula was caesarean section in every case. The presenting complaints were dominated by cyclic haematuria (n = 5). Intravenous urography did not contribute to the diagnosis, while hysterosalpingography demonstrated the UVF in 3 out of 4 cases. Treatment was surgical for all patients and consisted of closure of the fistula in 3 cases and hysterectomy in 2 cases. With a mean follow-up of 2 +/- 1.2 years, no pregnancies were reported in the 3 patients treated by closure of the fistula. On the other hand, the urinary results were satisfactory with good continence and resolution of the cyclic haematuria. The authors emphasize the importance of prevention of UVF by well conducted caesarean section.

[Peyronie's disease and peripheral neuropathies]

The association between Peyronie's disease and diabetes mellitus or Dupuytren's disease is well described in the literature with a certain frequency. Through our 10 patients with Peyronie's disease, when have noticed that only one of them is undergoing diabetes mellitus and no one has Dupuytren's disease. But 7 of them presented clinical and/or electromyographical signs of peripheral neuropathy. So after clinical examination in neurology and urology, we performed measurement of motor conduction velocity of tibial posterior nerves and peroneal nerves, then, we measured sensitive vetocity of sural nerves and dorsal nerve of the penis and we studied the cortical somesthesic evoked potential of the internal hontous nerve and the sympathetic evoked response of the skin. So we hypothesize that peripheral neuropathy with or without autonomic disorders might be an etiological co-factor of Peyronie's disease.

[Malignant kidney tumors in adults in Senegal: diagnostic and therapeutic problems]

The aim of this study was to analyze problems posed by adult renal malignant tumors both in the diagnostical and therapeutical viewpoints. We have performed a retrospective study including 48 cases of confirmed renal cancer. Have been included adult patients who presented a cancer of the kidney operated or not. Studied parameters were age, sex, clinical signs, complementary explorations i.e. biology, renal ultrasonography, IVU, Computerized tomography, the operative indication and the prognosis. We have used Robson's staging to classify our patients. The average age was 51 years with extremes of 18 and 83 years. However 60% of them were less than 50 years. Adenocarcinoma was the main histological form encountered. It has been found in 93% of cases. The flank mass has been the mode of discovery in 70.8% of cases. The classic symptomatic triad associating hematuria, pain and the renal mass has been found in 20.8% of cases. Ultrasonography and Intravenous urography (IVU) have allowed to pose the diagnosis in 93.75% of cases. Patients were often referred very late with an average delay of consultation of 14 month. So, 25% of them presented with metastasis at the moment of the diagnosis. Radical nephrectomy was performed in 60% of cases. 40% of patients have not been operated due to the advanced evolution of the tumor. The global mortality to 1 year was estimated at 38%. We conclude that renal malignant tumors in the adulthood, in our practice, presents some particularities. Indeed, patients are referred late when clinical symptoms are sufficiently evocative to suspect the diagnosis. At these advanced stages, there is no curative therapeutic. So, a precocious diagnosis is necessary in order to propose to patients radical nephrectomy which remains the only efficient therapeutical procedure of the localized renal cancer in the adulthood.

[Penile emergencies]

The three main penile emergency situations have been examined so as to better define the clinical and therapeutic aspects. In the present study, a fracture of the penis (n = 12) occurred following a coital accident in 8 cases. In general, a clinical diagnosis was made and emergency surgical treatment appeared to be the most efficient means of preventing possible erectile malfunction. Mutilation of the penis was observed (n = 12) following traditional circumcision or circumcision performed by paramedical staff; or was due to self-inflicted mutilation and pyschiatric disorder (n = 6), and in one case to sexual deviation (n = 1) This category of accidents could be more adequately managed by the psychiatric treatment of certain patients and by better training of the personnel carrying out the circumcision. Priapism (n = 42) was due to sickle cell disease in 50% of cases, and relapse was noted in 10% of patients.

[The pathology of the peritoneo-vaginal process in the young males: clinical and therapeutical aspects in 160 cases]

The objective of this work was to describe the clinical and therapeutical aspects of pathology of the peritoneo-vaginal process. We have performed a retrospective study including 160 patients operated between January 1990 up to December 1996. Mean age at diagnosis was 8 years, ranged from 1 month to 13 years old. All patients were male. The abnormality was located in the right side in 60% of cases and was bilateral in 6.7% of cases. The main clinical features were scrotal mass (81%) and scrotal pain (13.46%). The diagnosis was made at birth only in 20% of cases. A maldescended testis was associated in 7.5% of cases. A groin incision have been used in 91.25% of patients. The average hospital stay after surgery was 1 day. Thus, the pathology of the peritoneo-vaginal process is common and apparently banal. Need for treatment through a groin incision owing to the possibility of associated maldescended testis.

[Fibrinolytic syndrome during surgery for benign prostatic hypertrophy (50 cases in the urology service at the Aristide le Dantec University Hospital Center)]

Prostate's surgery is an haemorrhagic one owing to difficulties of surgical haemostasis and anomalies of the blood coagulation. The aim of this study to assess haemostasis anomalies after protatectomy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We have performed a prospective study including 50 men of more of 55 years old. All of them underwent suprapubic open prostatectomy. Significant pertubation of haemostasis, particularly fibrinolysis has been found. We have noticed fibrin degradation product in 88% of cases after intervention versus 62% before (p < 0.001) and a decrease of plasminogen rate in 94.4% of operated patients versus 82% before. The older the patient were, more important were the pertubations. Moreover, the anomalies were most important when the duration of surgery lasted more than one hour and when the BPH was voluminous. However, the disturbance of haemostasis was rarely associated to clinical symptoms. So, we do not recommend any therapeutic when clinical symptoms are absent. Biological screening the day of surgery, the day after and one week later are necessary to prevent haemorrhage.

[Epididymal manifestations of urogenital tuberculosis]

The morbidity of tuberculous epididymitis is due to the risk of male infertility secondary to vasal or epididymal obstruction or testicular necrosis. The aim of this study was to emphasize the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutical aspects of tuberculous epididymitis in adult. About eleven cases of epididymal localisation of urogenital tuberculosis, it appears that the diagnosis of the condition is rather difficult and often necessitate pathological exam of a specimen of epididymectomy. In other aspects, if antituberculous drugs are always effective in initial stages, surgery is usually radical, and rarely conservative. The latter procedures are vasovasostomy or vasoepididymostomy whose results are very hazardous.

[Erectile dysfunction in diabetics. Epidemiological profile in Senegal]

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to report the epidemiological profile of erectile dysfunction in a population of diabetic men.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This was a prospective study including 431 diabetic patients seen in the outpatients department. 69 of these patients suffered from erectile dysfunction. A control group of 138 patients was randomly selected according to age from among the remaining 362 patients. Each patient was submitted to complete clinical examination. The medical and surgical history, particularly vascular, neurological, endocrine and urological, was recorded. The patient's smoking and drinking habits and treatment with any antidiabetic or other drugs were also recorded. Statistical analysis was performed according to the case-control method. The limit of significance was p < 0.05.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of erectile dysfunction was 16%. This rate is lower than those reported in the literature. Among the various risk factors, only complications of diabetes, especially neurological complications, were clearly correlated with the risk of erectile dysfunction (p = 0.0004). Similarly, the prevalence of erectile dysfunction increased with the duration of diabetes (p = 0.049).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of erectile dysfunction in diabetic patients often appears to be overestimated in the literature. Methodological biases would explain the marked variation of reported prevalence rates. In contrast, our study confirms previous reports that neurological factors play a predominant role.

[Epididymal manifestations of urogenital tuberculosis]

OBJECTIVE

To define the epidemiological, anatomical, clinical and therapeutic aspects of tuberculous epididymitis in adults in the tropics.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This was a retrospective study of 11 cases of confirmed and treated tuberculous epididymitis.

RESULTS

The most frequently affected age-group was 40-49 years. The commonest expression was that of a chronic epididymal nodule. The diagnosis was confirmed by histological examination of the epididymectomy specimen (10 cases) and bacteriology in one case. Combination antituberculous chemotherapy was systematically administered and epididymectomy was performed in all patients.

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis of tuberculous epididymitis is often very difficult in the absence of a history of recent or active tuberculosis. However, this diagnosis must be considered in any case of chronic epididymal nodule, particularly in a context of infertility. The very mutilating treatment consists of epididymectomy in chronic forms, which also constitutes a diagnostic confirmation procedure, hence the value of prevention based on eradication of tuberculosis.

[Neurologic aspects of vesico-vaginal fistula of obstetrical origin]

OBJECTIVE

To study the electromyographic alterations of the urethral sphincter, perineal muscles and lower limbs observed in women with obstetric vesicovaginal fistula.

METHODS

We compared a group of 22 women with obstetric vesicovaginal fistula with a control group of 10 women without fistula. Each woman underwent a neurological examination of the perineum and lower limbs and electromyography of the lower limbs and urethral sphincter. According to the classification proposed by MENSAH, the fistulas were classified as simple (54.5%), complex (31.8%) and complicated (13.6%).

RESULTS

Twenty women with VVF presented a peripheral nerve lesion. Five of these patients had a clinical and electromyographic lesion; while the other fifteen patients had a subclinical lesion. 68.18% of the fistula patients presented a clinical neuropathy in the perineum. This lesion was detected on electromyography in all patients with fistula. The severity of this denervation lesion ranged from moderate (36.37%) to severe (63.63%). No neurological lesions were detected in the control group. The degree of denervation has more severe in young women (21-25 years) and in primiparous women. In contrast, the severity of denervation did not appear to be related to the history of the fistula. The risk of treatment failure increased proportionally to the severity of denervation. 73% of fistulas with severe denervation remained "unsuturable", or required multiple operations with disappointing results in the form of persistent vesicosphincteric dysfunction.

CONCLUSION

Although the psychosocial impairment and upper urinary tract repercussions have been well evaluated, the peripheral neurological lesion has always been underestimated in the management of obstetric vesicovaginal fistulas. The authors consider that the fistula is only the apparent manifestation of "neurovesical damage", which remains the decisive factor in the prognosis and which largely explains the high frequency of treatment failure.

[Duckett's+ simple surface or double surface? Comparison of 2 urethroplasty procedures. Report of 91 hypospadias]

The results and complications of the treatment of hypospadias were studied in relation to the two pedicle foreskin mucosal flap techniques described successively by Duckett, "single surface" and "double surface". 91 urethroplasties were performed: 58 "single surface" and 33 "double surface" Duckett urethroplasties. The children were operated between the ages of 18 months and 16 years with a mean age of 4 years. 75% of children had a good result on long-term follow-up. In the case of major complications, essentially fistula, distal necrosis àf the urethra or stricture, a single reoperation increased the percentage of good results to almost 98% for the entire series. However, when the two procedures were compared, a good result was obtained immediately in 81% of cases for the "single surface" operation versus 66% for the "double surface" operation. The fistula rate was 27.2% with the "double surface" flap versus 13.7% with the "single surface" flap and the distal stricture rate was 15.1% with the "double surface" flap versus 3.4% with the "single surface" flap. In the light of these results, Duckett's "double surface" procedure has been abandoned in favour of the "single surface" flap.

[Multicystic renal dysplasia with ectopic implantation of the ureter in boys. Apropos of 6 cases]

The prevalence of multicystic dysplastic kidney has increased since the development of antenatal ultrasound diagnosis. Even though, the rarity of symptomatic forms and case reports of spontaneous regressions antenatally or after postnatal ultrasound follow-up have reduced indications of nephrectomy which is less and less appropriate. However, discovery of ectopic ureteric implantation in boys makes certain additional investigations as intravenous pyelography, cystography and ultrasound, essential before making any therapeutic decision. Nevertheless, some cases remain undescriptible. In these cases, operative opacification of any patent ureter can provide more precise information about ureteric implantation. Lastly, only a dissection and resection as complete as possible of any patent ureter and pelvic cystic dilatation can prevent subsequent complications.

[Acute periurethritis: 155 cases]

Severe complications of urethral stricture, acute peri-urethral phlegmon can be localized or diffuse. They are characterized by polymicrobial infections. The mortality rates about 7% is the privilege of diffuses forms. The treatment associates medical and surgical procedures, and consists in polyantibiotherapy and excision of suppurative lesions. From a series of 155 cases we analyse the pathogenical, clinical and therapeutical aspects.

[Vesicovaginal fistulas: etiopathogenic and therapeutic aspects in Senegal]

Obstetrical vesico-vaginal fistulas are still very common in developing countries, because of to the difficulties of medical facilities. From a series of 123 cases recorded during 6 years, we analyse their epidemiological, anatomo-clinical, and therapeutic aspects. A simplified classification is purposed.

[Uretero-vesical injuries during pelvic surgery in women]

Injuries to the ureter and the bladder are common complications in female pelvic surgery. Unfortunately, they remain often unrecognized per operatively. Intravenous pyelography and renal ultrasonography are very efficient for post operative diagnosis. The indications of nephrectomy have became rare because of the efficacity of the procedures of plastic and reconstructive urological surgery.

[Posterior urethral valves in Senegalese children. Fourteen cases]

Fourteen pediatric cases of posterior urethral valves in patients aged 6 months to 14 years (with four infants and ten older children) are reported. The main symptoms were vesical, including dysuria, acute urinary retention and dribbling. One patient presented with diarrhea, vomiting and dribbling. Urethral valves were looked for as part of the evaluation for urinary lithiasis in one patient, and in another urinary lithiasis developed following the diagnosis of urethral valves. In half the cases, onset of symptoms occurred within one year of birth. Urethrocystography allowed to evidence the valves and to evaluate repercussions on the bladder including hyperplasia (7 cases) and diverticula (2 cases). The intravenous urogram disclosed bilateral ureterohydronephrosis in eight cases. Pathogens recovered from the urine included Klebsiella (3 patients), Pseudomonas (4 patients), Proteus (one patient), and E. coli (one patient). Most patients were treated by catheter lamination under antimicrobial therapy. Two patients died from renal failure. Results were considered satisfactory in nine cases with follow-ups ranging from 1 month to 4 years. Three patients were lost to follow-up. Early diagnosis is essential and management should rely mainly on endoscopic resection which reduces the length of the hospital stay and the risk of infection.

["In-dartos" orchidopexy in the treatment of cryptorchism]

Maldescended testis is a common congenital abnormality. The main complications are infertility and venue of malignant testicular tumor. If early orchiopexy can prevent infertility, it remains a high risk of venue of a malignant tumor. So, the best technique of orchiopexy is that which allows and easy clinical follow-up of the maldescended testis after surgical treatment, and doesn't involve hematoseminal barrear. From the analysis of fourty cases of scrotal pouch orchiopexy and a review of the literature, it appears that this procedure is efficient and gives more than 90% of good results.

["In-dartos" orchidopexy in the treatment of cryptorchism]

Undescended testis is a common congenital abnormality. The main complications are infertility and venue of malignant testicular tumor. If early orchiopexy can prevent infertility, it remains a high risk of venue of a malignant tumor. So, the best technique of orchiopexy is that which allows an easy clinical follow-up of the undescended testis after surgical treatment, and doesn't involv the hematoseminal barrier. From the analysis of fourty cases of scrotal pouch orchiopexy and a review of the literature, it appears that this procedure is efficient and gives more than 90% of good results.