TITLE:
Outcome of Unclassified Inflammatory Rheumatism: Observation of 7 Cases in Dakar
AUTHORS:
Awa Cheikh Ndao, Faye Atoumane, Diagne Nafissatou, Fall Biram Codou, Dia Diatou Gueye, Dia Amadou Diop, Diop Mohamed, Sow Maïmouna, Kane Baïdy Sy, Boundia Djiba, Pouye Abdoulaye
KEYWORDS:
Rheumatic Unclassified, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Connective Tissue Disease
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Internal Medicine,
Vol.12 No.1,
January
29,
2022
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Unclassified inflammatory rheumatism is persistent inflammatory arthralgias with or without synovitis without sufficient classification criteria for an inflammatory rheumatism or a well-defined connective disease. Their outcome is variable and has been little studied in Africa. We report the epidemiological, paraclinical and evolutionary characteristics of seven cases of indeterminate polyarthritis. Material and Method: From January 2012 to May 2021, we selected all the files of patients followed up for unclassified inflammatory rheumatism and in whom a precise diagnosis was retained during the course of the disease. The diagnosis of unclassified inflammatory rheumatism was retained after biological, immunological and radiological explorations without specificities. Our study took place in the Internal Medicine Department of Aristide Le Dantec Hospital (HALD). Results: Seven cases out of 274 consulted were collected. They consisted of seven women with an average age of 39 years at the time of the first consultation (extremes: 19 and 67 years). All seven patients presented with inflammatory polyarthralgia or non-deforming, non-erosive peripheral polyarthritis, without extra-articular manifestations. A biological inflammatory syndrome was present in all seven patients. Autoantibodies (rheumatoid factor, ANA, anti-ENA and ACPA) were negative in all patients. The first-line treatments in all seven cases were hydroxychloroquine (200 - 400 mg/day) and prednisone (5 - 10 mg/day). Methotrexate was added in 3 cases. During follow-up, 2 cases progressed to Polyarthritis Rheumatoid (PR) after 3 and 4 years. Two cases progressed to Sjögren’s syndrome after 4 and 5 years. Two patients progressed to systemic scleroderma after 5 and 8 years. One patient progressed to lupus after 5 years. Conclusion: Regular follow-up is essential in IAN. It allows the early diagnosis of IJR or a well-differentiated connective tissue disease and ensures adequate management, especially early.