Ulcerative Colitis in Sub-Saharan Africa: Analysis of 24 Cases in Dakar (Senegal)

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of our study was to determine the socio-demographic, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of ulcerative colitis (UC) in one of the largest gastroenterology departments in Senegal. Patients and Method: This was a retrospective and descriptive study based on the analysis of the records of patients hospitalized in the Hepato-Gastroenterology Department of the Grand Yoff General Hospital (Dakar, Senegal) between January 2013 and December 2019. All cases of UC were collected. Clinical, biological, endoscopic and histological data were collected, as well as treatment options. Results: We observed 24 cases, representing a prevalence of 0.87% of inpatients. The mean age of patients was 36 (ranged 18 to 73) and sex ratio 0.9 (13 females). The mean diagnostic delay was 1.6 years (ranged 4 months to 5 years). The clinical symptomatology was dominated by diarrhea with blood and mucus (18 cases). The Litchiger score on admission averaged 8 and 5 patients (20.8%) had severe acute colitis. Colonoscopy showed pancolonic involvement (Montreal E3) in 11 cases (45.8%) and severe endoscopic lesions (stage 3 of the Mayo endoscopic subscore) in 10 cases (41.6%). Therapeutically, 17 patients (70.8%) were initially treated with corticosteroids. Background therapy was 5-ASA in 17 patients (70.8%) and azathioprine in 7 patients (29.2%). Two cases of death (8.3%) were observed following colectasia with colonic perforations before emergency surgery could be performed. Conclusion: UC in our study was primarily among young adults with a slight female predominance. Diagnosis is often late. The lack of biotherapy requires close collaboration with surgeons for the management of severe forms.