TITLE:
Retrospective Analysis of the Prevalence of Autoimmune Diseases at the University Hospital of Libreville, Gabon
AUTHORS:
Jeanis Paule Avomo Akue, Christiane Atteke Nkoulembene, Josaphat Ibaba, Félix Ovono Abessolo
KEYWORDS:
Autoimmune Diseases, Lupus, Antinuclear Antibodies, Gabon
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Immunology,
Vol.16 No.3,
August
20,
2026
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Autoimmune diseases remain very poorly studied in Africa. We undertook a retrospective study in the internal medicine department of the Libreville University Hospital Center. Methods: The study consisted of the analysis of clinical and biological data of patients who presented to this department from 2020 to 2023. Patients with autoimmune diseases were selected based on clinical criteria defined by the EULAR/ACR and biological tests such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), CRP, transaminases, protein electrophoresis, albumin, creatinine, and measurements of the quantity of different autoantibodies (anti-native DNA, antinuclear antibodies, anti-U1RNP antibodies, anti-SSA/RO, anti-SSB/LA, anti-MPO antibodies, anti-Pr3 antibodies, antiphospholipid antibodies, anti-NMO/anti-ECT antibodies, anti-CCP antibodies). Results: Of the 3,120 patients seen in the department between 2020 and 2023, 4.10% had autoimmune diseases. The study shows that 103 (3.5%) of these patients were diagnosed with lupus, with a majority of women (77%) and a small proportion of men (17%). The average age of the patients was 35.6 years ± 14.4 years. The patients’ clinical profile shows a predominance of neurological, renal, cutaneous/mucosal, hematological, muscular, and articular symptoms, while biologically, an elevation of antinuclear antibodies is observed. Conclusion: This study confirms the existence of autoimmune diseases in Gabon, with lupus being the most prevalent.