[Epidemiology and prognostic factors for sickle cell retinopathy in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)].
BACKGROUND
The frequency of sickle cell disease varies from 5% to 20% in Africa.


METHODS
This retrospective study investigated 173 patients in an ambulatory setting from August 2000 to July 2006. The study included 98 women and 75 men, aged 15-62 years, with a mean age of 26.7 years.


RESULTS
Only 89 patients (71 SC and 18 SS) were seen in ophthalmology, 44 (49%) had sickle cell retinopathy with 26 (29%) cases nonproliferative and 18 cases proliferative (20%). Among the 71 SC patients, 35 (50%) had sickle cell retinopathy, with 40% the proliferative form. Of the 18 SS patients, nine had a retinopathy (50%), with four cases proliferative.


CONCLUSIONS
Retinopathy is a frequent complication of sickle cell disease, which can lead to blindness, and its management better accessibility to the ophthalmologic examination and preventive treatment by laser photo coagulation.
Diallo
J W
JW
Centre hospitalier universitaire Sourou Sanou, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. diallojeanw@yahoo.fr
Sanfo
O
O
Blot
I
I
Meda
N
N
Sawadogo
P
P
Ouedraogo
A
A
Simporé
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications*; D002050:Burkina Faso / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult