TITLE:
Clinical Presentation and Evolution of Systemic Lupus at the CNHU-HKM of Cotonou (Benin)
AUTHORS:
Agbodandé Kouessi Anthelme, Wanvoegbè Finangnon Armand, Adelakoun Babatundé Abdul-Farid, Akogbeto Dieu-Donné, Dansou Eugénie, Assogba Mickael, Azon Kouanou Angèle
KEYWORDS:
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Death, Prognosis, CNHU-HKM
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Internal Medicine,
Vol.13 No.4,
December
29,
2023
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a non-organ-specific autoimmune disease with an unknown origin. The unchanged trend of premature mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus shows the critical unmet need for improved and optimized management of systemic lupus erythematosus. Objectives: To analyze the clinical features and the prognostic factors of death in SLE at the CNHU-HKM of Cotonou. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. It was conducted over the period from January 1st 2010 to December 31st 2021. The study population consisted of all patients followed for SLE in the internal medicine, rheumatology, nephrology and dermatology wards at the CNHU-HKM of Cotonou. Results: 88 cases were recorded in 12 years, i.e. an incidence of 7 cases per year. There were 80 women and 8 men with a mean age of 36.4 ± 13.1 years. The clinical picture was dominated by mucocutaneous (86.3%) and osteoarticular (71.5%) disorders. The biological abnormalities observed were anemia (78.8%), lymphopenia (43.1%) and thrombocytopenia (17.7%). 39 patients had renal damage (44.3%). The incidence of death was 17%. Factors associated with death were renal involvement, infectious complications, high initial SLEDAI score, flare, thrombocytopenia and lymphopenia. Conclusion: Mortality related to SLE remains high at the CNHU-HKM of Cotonou. Renal involvement, infectious complications, high initial SLEDAI score, flare, lymphopenia and thrombocytopenia were the factors associated with death. The presence of these factors should lead to an evaluation of the treatment.