Epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic and evolutionary specificities of the association between venous thromboembolic event and cancer in sub-Saharan Africa: Case of Togo

BACKGROUND

Our study aimed to describe the clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic and outcomes of patients with venous thromboembolic event (VTE) associated with cancer in the context of limited resources.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study over a period of six years from March 1, 2016 to March 31, 2022, in the cardiology department and the oncology unit of the Sylvanus Olympio Teaching Hospital of Lome. Our study examined medical records of patients who were at least 18 years old and had venous thromboembolic disease and cancer that was histologically confirmed. This study did not include records that were incomplete or records from patients with coronavirus disease.

RESULTS

Our study included 87 patients with average age of 56.36±15.26 years. The discovery of VTE occurred incidentally in 28.74%. Venous thrombosis was isolated in 68.96% and proximal in 95%. Pulmonary embolism was bilateral in 77.77%. Gynaecological and urological cancers were found in 33.33% and 32.19% respectively. Adenocarcinoma was the histological type of cancer found in 47.13%. Cancers were at a very advanced stage in 74.71%. Treatment with antivitamin K was prescribed in 12.65%. In our study, there were 58 patients who passed away with a mortality rate of 66.66%. The cause of death was a complication of VTE in 22.42% and related to the course of cancer in 63.79% of cases.

CONCLUSION

VTE during cancer is particular with a fatal evolution due to the severity of VTE and the very advanced stage of cancer.

[Évaluation de la qualité de vie et description des facteurs associés, chez les patients en insuffisance cardiaque chronique vivant dans un pays d'Afrique de l'Ouest à faible revenu]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the quality of life (QOL) and describe associated factors in patients with chronic heart failure (HF) living in a low-income population in West Africa.

METHODS

This is was a cross-sectional study conducted from January 2017 to June 2018, in the department of cardiology of the University Teaching Hospital (CHU-Campus) in Lomé (Togo). Enrolled patients had stable chronic HF and have been hospitalized in the past 6 months; QOL was assessed using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire (MLHFQ).

RESULTS

171 patients were included (women = 40.9%, 33% unschooled, 75% without health insurance; 46.8% in NYHA class II). The prevalence of depression was 62%. The mean total score of MLHFQ was 37.2 ± 22.3. In univariate analysis, there was a positive correlation between the total score and the following factors: age (r= 0.33, p ˂0.0001), NYHA classes (r= 0.67, p ˂0.0001), number of rehospitalizations (r= 0.61, p ˂0.0001), number of comorbidities (r= 0.43, p ˂0.0001), and the depression score (r= 0.67, p ˂0.0001). After adjustments, positive correlation persisted with NYHA classes (p ˂0.0001), number of rehospitalizations (p= 0.02), and depression (p ˂0.0001).

CONCLUSION

The QOL of HF patients was moderately impaired and was comparable to values reported among high-income populations. Factors associated with poor quality of life were advanced NYHA classes, number of rehospitalizations, and depression.

Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria syndrome: Report of the first Togolese case

The aim of this article is to describe the first case of Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) in Togo and review all Africans cases. Our patient was a 12.8-year-old Togolese boy followed in our unit till he was 15-year-old for HGPS. He was the only child of non-consanguineous parents. The phenotypic findings were craniofacial dysmorphy, dwarfism, lipodystrophy, diffusely scattered hyperpigmented foci, pyriform thorax, nail dystrophy, decreased joint mobility, and camptodactyly. He had characteristic facies with prominent forehead, prominent eyes, absent ear lobule, thin nasal skin, convex nasal profile, micrognathia, and crowded teeth. Radiologicals findings were bilateral coxa valga, pyriform thorax, and acro-osteolysis. We sequenced the entire coding region of LMNA gene, and mutation analysis revealed a heterozygous mutation c.1824C>T (p.Gly608Gly). Our patient is therefore the fifth African and the fourth with classical mutation, first of Western Africa, and second of (sub-Saharan) African black race. The recurrence of HGPS is low like the cause is neomutation or germinal mosaicism.

[Prevalence and determinants of the increased carotid intima-media thickness in a population of 1203 black African hypertensive]

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the prevalence and determinants of increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in a population of black hypertensive patients and it influence of on the assessment of their overall cardiovascular risk.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a 16-month, cross-sectional study conducted in the outpatient unit of the cardiology department of the Campus teaching hospital of Lome, and included 1203 hypertensive patients, both sexes, aged 35 years and more. Each patient benefited from a carotid IMT measure. Carotid IMT was increased if it was>0.9mm and the plaque was defined as a carotid IMT>1.2mm.

RESULTS

The mean age of our patients was 53.3±10.4 years with a sex ratio of 1.6 in favor of women. The duration of hypertension was less than 5 years in 56.7% and hypertension was grade 1 in 47.7% of cases. The mean carotid IMT was 0.89mm±0.20. The prevalence of the increased carotid IMT was 45.8% and that of an atheroma plaque was 15.8%. Carotid IMT was correlated with age (P˂0.0001), duration of arterial hypertension (P=0.01), history of stroke (P˂0.0001), and presence of left ventricular hypertrophy to cardiac ultrasound (P=0.01). The overall cardiovascular risk was modified after taking into account the carotid IMT. An increase in cardiovascular risk was observed in 30.5% of hypertensive patients.

CONCLUSION

Increased carotid intima-media thickness is frequent in Togolese hypertension. The determining factors are age, duration of arterial hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy and stroke. The systematic measurement of the carotid intima-media thickness would better evaluate the overall cardiovascular risk for our patients.

[Thrombolysis in pulmonary embolism with high mortality risk: Experience of a cardiology department in sub-Saharan Africa]

INTRODUCTION

High-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) accounts for 5% of total acute PE and is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate therapeutic management by fibrinolysis. The objective of this work is to describe the experience of thrombolysis in high-risk PE in a cardiology department in Togo.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is an analytical and descriptive study carried out in the cardiology department of the Campus teaching hospital of Lomé over a period of 5 years (August 2012 to July 2017) concerning patients hospitalized for high-risk mortality PE and having undergone streptokinase thrombolysis.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight of the 102 PE were at high risk of mortality (27.5%). They were 9 men and 19 women with an average age of 61.9±14.1 years. The mean systolic blood pressure was 65mmHg and 50% of the patients were placed on dobutamine. Thrombolysis was performed in 22 of the 28 patients (78.6%). Eighteen patients had a short protocol and 4 a long protocol. The mortality rate was 32.1% or 13.6% in the thrombolysis PE versus 100% in the non-thrombolysis PE (P=0.01). Causes of death in thrombolysis were persistent shock (2 cases) at the end of thrombolysis and sudden death occurred 1 month after hospitalization. The average hospital stay was 18.8 days.

CONCLUSION

The high-risk PE remains today a pathology burdened with heavy mortality. Thrombolysis remains the first treatment to reduce this mortality.

Acute coronary syndromes: epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical and therapeutic characteristics at the Campus teaching hospital of Lome, Togo

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this work was to describe the epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in the cardiology department of Lome Campus University Hospital in Togo.

METHODOLOGY

We conducted a prospective study that consistently included patients hospitalized from 2014 to 2017 for ACS, based on clinical, electrocardiographic, and laboratory findings.

RESULTS

Of 1914 patients admitted to the department during the study period, 67 were admitted for ACS, for a 3.5% prevalence. The (M/F) sex ratio was 1.91. Patients' mean age was 60 ± 12 years. The clinical presentation was an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in 71.6% of cases, and non-STEMI in 28.4% of cases, including 18.1% non-Q-wave infarction and 10.3% unstable angina. The mean time to admission after the onset of symptoms was 81.9 ± 124.6 hours. Patients were transported to the hospital by a private vehicle in 82.1% of cases. Thrombolysis was performed for 14.6% of patients (7/48 patients with ACS STEMI), with a success rate of 85.7% (n=6). In-hospital mortality was 10.5% (7/67). This mortality was significantly associated with the interval from onset of symptoms to admission and with the Killip stage.

CONCLUSION

Acute coronary syndromes are increasingly common in Togo. They are characterized by a relatively young age and a long delay until admission. Improving the management of these conditions in our countries requires effective primary prevention.

L’embolie pulmonaire au centre hospitalier universitaire Campus de Lomé (Togo): étude rétrospective à propos de 51 cas

Introduction

L’objectif était d’étudier les aspects épidémiologiques, cliniques et évolutifs de l’embolie pulmonaire au CHU Campus de Lomé.

Méthodes

C’est une étude rétrospective, analytique et descriptive sur une période de 39 mois (1^erNovembre 2011- 31 Janvier 2015). Etaient inclus, tous les dossiers des patients hospitalisés dans le service de cardiologie du CHU Campus pour une EP.

Résultats

La prévalence de l’EP était de 3,1%. Le sex ratio femme/homme était de 2,2. L’âge moyen des patients était de 52,7 ± 14,4 ans. Les facteurs de risque de MTEV étaient dominés par: l’obésité (54,9%), l’alitement (25,5%) et le long voyage (17,6%). Les principaux symptômes étaient: dyspnée (98,0%), douleur thoracique (78,4%) et toux (60,8%). Le score de Wells était élevé dans 29,4%. L’ECG notait: tachycardie (78,4%), HVD (49,0%), aspect S1Q3T3 (47,1%) et bloc droit (39,2%). L’échodoppler cardiaque transthoracique montrait une dilatation cavitaire droite et thrombus intra ventriculaire droit dans 5,6%. L’angioscanner thoracique était normal dans 9,8% et objectivait un embole dans 82,4%. Le traitement était fait d’HBPM à dose curative avec relais par un AVK. Une thrombolyse était effectuée chez 8 malades. L’évolution était favorable dans 86,3%. Le taux de létalité était de 13,7%.

Conclusion

La prévalence de l’EP est relativement faible chez nous mais probablement sous estimée. L’EP pose un problème thérapeutique au Togo à cause du coût élevé des examens complémentaires et de la thrombolyse. La prévention reste donc l’arme efficace.

[Vascular age and cardiovascular risk in patients suffering from stroke]

AIMS

To determine the vascular age of patients suffering from stroke and their cardiovascular risk at 10 years and to compare their vascular age to their real age.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

It was about a descriptive and retrospective study carried up from 1st January 2012 to 31st December 2013 at the neurologic clinic of the University teaching hospital Sylvanus Olympio of Lome from patients' files with a confirmed diagnostic of stroke according to the clinical examination and the scanner data.

RESULTS

One hundred and ninety-four patients were related to our study. They were shared-out into 101 men and 93 women equal to a sex-ratio (man/woman) of 1.08. The average real age was of 57.6 ± 13.7 years. High blood pressure was the main risk factor with a prevailing rate of 86.6%, followed by the total hypercholesterolemia (54.3%), the hypocholesterolemia HDL (22.7%), diabetes (10.8%) and nicotinism addiction (4.1%). The average vascular age for all patients was of 68.23 years. The average difference between the real age and the vascular age was of 10 years. The average cardiovascular risk at 10 years in our study was of 13.2%.

CONCLUSION

The vascular age of patients suffering from stroke at the University teaching hospital Sylvanus Olympio of Lome is 10 years higher than their real age. This condition considerably increases their risk of cardiovascular diseases. The screening and the early care about vascular risk factors appear therefore of utmost importance.

[Erectile dysfunction in hypertensive patient in Togo: cross-sectional study in 100 patients in the Cardiology Department of the University Hospital Campus of Lome]

Introduction

L'association HTA et dysfonction érectile (DE) est connue. Les objectifs de ce travail étaient de déterminer la prévalence de la DE et d'en évaluer la sévérité chez l'hypertendu togolais.

Méthodes

Il s'agit d'une étude transversale menée chez 100 hypertendus reçus en consultations externes dans le service cardiologie du CHU Campus d'octobre à décembre 2012. Le statut érectile a été évalué avec l'international index of erectile function (IIEF-5).

Résultats

L’âge moyen des hypertendus était de 53,3 ± 10,3 ans. La durée moyenne de l'HTA était de 6,7 ± 6,9 ans. Les facteurs de risque cardio-vasculaire retrouvés chez ces hypertendus étaient: diabète (7%), obésité (17,5%), obésité abdominale (40%), dyslipidémie (36%) et tabac (1%). La prévalence de la DE était de 53% dont 32% de DE légère, 18% de DE modérée et 3% de DE sévère. Parmi les patients ayant une DE, 60% avaient une DE légère, 34% une DE modérée et 6% une DE sévère. Le score IIFE moyen était de 19,1 ± 5,2. La prévalence de la DE augmentait avec l’âge (p=0,05), le grade (p=0,004) et la durée de l'HTA (p=0,20). La DE était significativement plus fréquente en présence du diabète (p=0,02) et de l'obésité abdominale (p=0,007).

Conclusion

La prévalence de la DE est élevée chez l'hypertendu togolais. Cette prévalence augmente avec l’âge, la durée de l'HTA, la présence de diabète et l'obésité abdominale. La DE doit être systématiquement recherchée chez l'hypertendu surtout en présence des autres FDR.

[Special features of peripartum cardiomyopathy in Africa: the case of Togo on a prospective study of 41 cases at Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital of Lome]

Introduction

La cardiomyopathie du péripartum (CMPP) est une défaillance cardiaque dont l’étiologie demeure encore méconnue.

Méthodes

Il s'agit d'une étude prospective descriptive réalisée dans le service de cardiologie du CHU Sylvanus olympio de Lomé du 1er janvier 2010 au 30 avril 2012. Elle a concerné 41 patientes ayant présenté une insuffisance cardiaque entre le 8eme mois de la grossesse et les 5 premiers mois du post-partum.

Résultats

L’âge moyen des patientes était de 31,47 ans (extrêmes 21 et 44ans). L'incidence de la CMPP était de 1/362 grossesses. La parité moyenne était de 3,07 (extrêmes 1 et 6). Les symptômes étaient apparus dans le post-partum dans 90,24% des cas. Un retard important de diagnostic était observé. L'insuffisance cardiaque globale était le mode de décompensation dans 65,85%. Les signes électrocardiographiques étaient essentiellement la tachycardie sinusale (97,56%) et l'hypertrophie ventriculaire gauche (97,56%). L’échographie cardiaque a montré dans tous les cas une cardiomyopathie dilatée. Quatre cas de thrombus intraventriculaire gauche étaient notés. La FEVG était sévèrement altérée. L'HTAP était importante dans 56,09%.

Conclusion

La cardiomyopathie du péripartum est une complication cardiaque grave de la grossesse de cause inconnue, fréquente dans la population africaine.

[Knowledge, attitudes and practices related to venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in hospitalists in Lome (Togo)]

The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and practices related to the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in medical settings in Lome (Togo). Hospitalists in Lome are relatively well aware of the risk of VTE in patients. They report risk factors for VTE as the primary indications for thromboprophylaxis. Few physicians cited acute medical conditions among these indications.

[Young heart failure: epidemiological, clinical and etiological aspects in the teaching hospital Sylvanus Olympio of Lomé]

AIMS

The aim of the study was to analyze the epidemiologic, clinical and etiologic aspects of heart failures of the young age to 18 to 45 years.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

It consisted of a cross-sectional study realized in hospitalization in the service of cardiologic of Teaching Hospital Sylvanus Olympio of Lomé on 35 months (January 2009 to November 2012). The completion of a Doppler echocardiography was necessary to include the patients in the study.

RESULTS

The prevalence heart failure in the 45 years old young people to more was of 28.6%. The median age of the patients was of 36.5±3 years with a sex ratio of 10.7. Heart failure was total among 268 patients (71.3%). The electrocardiogram found 88 patients (23.4%) in complete arrhythmia by auricular fibrillation. Cardiac echography found a dilation of the left ventricle among 271 patients (72.1%), a systolic dysfunction of left ventricle among 213 patients (56.6%) and an intracavitary thrombus among 37 patients (9.8%). The etiologies were: hypertension 161 cases (42.8%), heart valve diseases 68 cases (18.1%), the peripartum cardiomyopathy 58 cases (15.4%), dilated cardiomyopathy 22 cases (5.8%), the alcoholism 12 cases (3.1%), ischaemic heart diseases 10 cases (2.7%), congenital heart diseases 10 cases (2.7%), the chronic pulmonary heart 8 cases (2.1%), the cardiothyreosis 7 cases (1.8%), the pericardial tamponnade 4 cases (1.1%) and myocarditis with VIH 4 cases (1.1%). Hospital lethality was of 16.4% (62 patients).

CONCLUSION

Heart failure is a serious and frequent pathology in Africa. It affects young and active subjects. The causes are dominated by hypertension.

[Hypertension and pregnancy in Lome (sub-Saharan Africa): epidemiology, diagnosis and risk factors]

AIM

Describe the epidemiology, diagnosis and risk factors of hypertension in pregnant women in Lome.

METHODS

It was a prospective, descriptive and comparative study during 12 months (October 1st, 2011 to September 31st, 2012) on 200 cases of hypertension among 1620 pregnant women, in the department of gynecology and obstetrics at the Tokoin teaching hospital of Lome.

RESULTS

We had 200 cases of hypertension on 1620 pregnant women. The prevalence of hypertension in pregnant women in Lome was 12.3%. The average age of pregnant women was 30±7 years, with extremes of 15 and 44 years. Hypertension was more common (50%) in ages of 30-39 years. The society the most represented were housewives (33.33%), civil servants (16.67%) and traders (16.66%). Hypertension was found incidentally or during a complication especially during the third trimester of pregnancy. Preeclampsia (44%) and pregnancy-induced hypertension (33%) were the most represented. The main risk factors where primiparity (especially older primipars >30ans), nulliparity, familial history of hypertension, low economic level, history of pregnancy-induced hypertension, age >30 years, twinning, obesity and stress.

CONCLUSION

Hypertension in pregnancy is frequent in Lome. A regular follow-up before and after delivery is important according to fetal and maternal complications, and the risk of heart and kidney disease at mild and long outcome.

Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in an urban area of Togo: a WHO STEPS-wise approach in Lome, Togo

Objective

To determine the prevalence of hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors in the general adult population of Lome.

Methods

A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in Lome from October 2009 to January 2010, which focused on hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors in 2 000 subjects 18 years and older. The World Health Organisation’s STEPS-wise approach on non-communicable diseases was used. During the first session, blood pressure (BP) was measured on three successive occasions, one minute apart, and the mean was recorded. A second measurement session was done three weeks later in patients with BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg during the first session. Hypertension was defined as BP > 140/90 mmHg after the second session, or on antihypertensive treatment. The other risk factors were studied by clinical and blood analysis.

Results

We found 532 hypertensive patients out of a total of 2 000 subjects. The prevalence of hypertension was 26.6%. The mean age of hypertensive patients was 45 ± 10 years, ranging from 18 to 98 years. The prevalence of other cardiovascular risk factors was: stress (43%), sedentary lifestyle (41%), hypercholesterolaemia (26%), obesity (25.2%), hypertriglyceridaemia (21%), smoking (9.3%), alcohol use (11%) and diabetes (7.3%).

Conclusions

The prevalence of hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors in the population of Lome is high. These findings should draw the attention of authorities to define a national policy to combat hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors.

[Adherence to hypertension and its determinants in the cardiology department of the University Hospital of Lomé Tokoin]

Introduction

Evaluer l’observance thérapeutique de l’HTA et de déterminer les facteurs de mauvaise observance chez les hypertendus au CHU Tokoin de Lomé.

Méthodes

Nous avons effectué une étude transversale descriptive sur une durée de 6 mois en consultation externe dans le service de Cardiologie du CHU-Tokoin de Lomé. L’étude a concerné 363 patients hypertendus. L’évaluation de l’observance a été effectuée avec le test d’évaluation de l’observance de Girerd.

Résultats

Le revenu mensuel était inférieur à 50.000 FCFA chez 49,86% patients; 85,05% des patients n’avaient aucune assurance maladie. Le coût mensuel du traitement par patient était de 10.560 FCFA soit 37,74% du SMIG au Togo. Quatre-vingt et trois virgule soixante-quinze pour cent (83,75%) de nos patients avaient eu des difficultés à observer correctement leur traitement antihypertenseur. Parmi eux 52,34% étaient mauvais observants et 31,41% avaient de minimes problèmes d’observance. Seuls 16,25% étaient de bons observants. Les facteurs de mauvaises observances étaient: le revenu mensuel faible, l’absence d’assurance maladie, le nombre de comprimés et de prises de comprimés supérieurs à 3, et la tradithérapie.

Conclusion

L’observance thérapeutique a été mauvaise dans notre série. Les facteurs de cette mauvaise observance sont multiples et variés mais dominés pour la plupart par la pauvreté et l’absence d’assurance maladie.

[A cause of dilated cardiomyopathy in a child: primary carnitine deficiency]

AIM

The aim of this case report was to show the importance to research metabolic etiology, especially a carnitine deficiency in dilated cardiomyopathy of children.

CASE REPORT

A three years old Togolese child presented muscular hypotonia, dyspnea. Examination showed left galop murmur and systolic murmur 2/6. Chest X-ray showed cardiomegaly (CTI: 0.66), electrocardiogram, a sinusal rythm, left ventricle hypertrophy and T wave abnormalities. Echocardiogram showed a markedly dilated left ventricle with reduced systolic function (EF: 0.43; reference range 0.55-0.80) and moderate mitral regurgitation. The inflammatory signs where negatives. Magnetic resonance imaging don't show signs of ischemic or myocarditis. The levels of free and total plasmatic carnitine decreased: 3μmol/L (N: 18-48μmol/L) and 5μmol/l (N: 29-70μmol/L) respectively. Mutation analysis of the gene SLC22A5 confirms the diagnosis of primary systemic carnitine deficiency. Treatment with oral carnitine was started at 200mg/kg per day. Within three weeks of treatment, we observed the decrease of all symptoms and the left ventricular size and function normalized (EF: 0.62). He has now been on oral carnitine for live.

CONCLUSION

Primary carnitine deficiency is a cause of dilated cardiomyopathy in child. It must systematically be suspected when a child presents a primitive cardiomyopathy. The treatment with oral carnitine for live is simple, with excellent prognosis.

[Bilateral simultaneous central retinal artery occlusion revealing giant cell arteritis]

AIM

To point out the importance of the early diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA) (Horton's disease).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

a case report of a sudden bilateral blindness that had revealed GCA.

CASE REPORT

A 68-year old female patient with a history of elevated blood pressure and diabetes mellitus type 2, was examined in emergency for a right painful headache developed one week previously. In ophthalmological examination, her BCVA was 0.9 and P2 in both eyes. Diagnosis of Horton's disease was not initially done in spite of elevated erythrocytes sedimentation rate (ESR) at 30 mm, protein C reactive (CRP) at 19 mg/l. The patient consulted seven weeks later in emergency for a sudden bilateral blindness associated with severe headache, recent asthenia, and limping of the lower jaw. At that time, visual acuity was reduced to light perception in both eyes whereas ophthalmoscopy revealed a bilateral central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). ESR was 74 mm and CRP 233 mg/I. Temporal artery biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of GCA. The patient was treated with systemic steroids without visual recovery.

CONCLUSION

This case outlines the importance of the early diagnosis of GCA in order to make possible to start treatment before the occurrence of irreversible complications.