[Spondylodiscitis at a hospital outpatient clinic in Lome, Togo].
OBJECTIVE
This investigation was carried out to determine the frequency and features of spondylodiscitis in patients attending the Tokoin University Hospital Center in Togo.


METHODS
A retrospective study of patients examined in the Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic over a 17-year period was conducted.


RESULTS
Out of 14,708 patients examined during the study period, 222 (1.5%) presented spondylodiscitis. There wire 108 women and 114 men with a mean age of 38 years. The mean duration of symptoms was 6 months. Spondylodiscitis was related to presumptive tuberculosis in 169 patients (76.1%). The most common locations were the lumbar (56.8%) or thoracic (21.6%) spine. It was associated with a pulmonary location in 39 patients (17.6%). In addition to underdevelopment and poor hygiene in most patients, risk factors for spondylodiscitis included HIV infection (n=23), alcoholism (n=27), diabetes mellitus (n=7), and sickle cell anemia (n=7). Response to medical treatment was favorable in 197 patients (88.7%).


CONCLUSIONS
Spondylodiscitis is still a frequent reason for seeking medical care in Black Africa.
Oniankitan
O
O
Service de rhumatologie, CHU-Tokoin de Lomé. Togo.
Bagayogo
Y
Y
Fianyo
E
E
Koffi-Tessio
V
V
Kakpovi
K
K
Tagbor
K C
KC
Houzou
P
P
Mijiyawa
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015299:Discitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D014037:Togo / Q000453:epidemiology; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents