[Pityriasis rosea in secondary schools in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso].
BACKGROUND
Pityriasis rosea is a spontaneously regressive benign erythematous squamous dermatosis. A better understanding of this condition in developing countries would be useful.


METHODS
We conducted a cross section study based on one-day surveys in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, secondary schools. The stratified cluster sampling method described by Henderson was used. Six thousand pupils were examined to collect epidemiology and clinical data and to determine the presence of complications and results of complementary explorations performed.


RESULTS
Thirty-six cases of pityriasis rosea were observed (0.6 p. 100). Prevalence was higher in children from an unfavorable social and economic background. A typical eruption was often observed with classical localizations and morphology in 86.1 p. 100 of the cases. Pruritus was often observed with an inaugural lesion (61.1 p. 100) predominantly on the upper limbs (54.6 p. 100) and the trunk (31.8 p. 100) measuring 1 to 3 cm. A typical second eruption was found in most cases, situated on the trunk (75 p. 100), distal portions of the limbs (64.4 p. 100), proximal portions of the limbs (33.3 p. 100) and the neck (30.5 p. 100). The eruption evolved for 1 week to 1 month in most cases (61 p. 100). In 55.5 p. 100 of the cases, therapeutic abstention was the rule. Secondary treatment-related complications occurred in 38.9 p. 100 of the cases. Stool studies generally demonstrate ameba cysts. Syphilis serology was negative.


CONCLUSIONS
Our sampling technique in the secondary school setting provided a representative sample of the urban population of African cities. This work demonstrated the variability of prevalence by social and economic conditions and is in favor of an infections cause, demonstrating several similar features with other series reported in the literature. Generally, a stool study is not necessary and syphilis serology is negative in typical cases. Health care workers should be more aware of pityriasis rosea in order to avoid poorly adapted treatment.
Traore
A
A
Service de Dermatologie, Centre Hospitalier National Yalgado Ouedraogo. adma_traore@hotmail.com
Korsaga-Some
N
N
Niamba
P
P
Barro
F
F
Sanou
I
I
Drabo
Y J
YJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002050:Burkina Faso / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017515:Pityriasis Rosea / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012574:Schools / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*