title: [Leg ulcers in patients with sickle-cell disease in Libreville (Gabon): clinical aspects and management].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present the clinical aspects of leg ulcers among patients with sickle-cell disease, propose a protocol for treating them, and identify risk factors for their onset in our patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This 5-year retrospective descriptive study (2007-2012) includes six adolescents homozygous (SS) for this disease who had at least one leg ulcer during the study period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our population was aged 16-20 years and comprised 4 young men and 2 young women. Signs at diagnosis included pallor (100%), jaundice (100%), splenomegaly (80%), and fever (70%). Painful crises most often involved a vaso-occlusive crisis (42%), followed by a splenic sequestration crisis (27%), a hemolytic crisis (18%), and erythroblastopenia (14%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Leg ulcers are a complication of sickle cell disease and cause esthetic, psychological, and economic problems. Prevention involves patient education to prevent the occurrence and recurrence of these ulcers.
authors.affiliation: Département de pédiatrie, faculté de médecine, université des sciences de la santé, Owendo, Gabon.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Mouba
authors.affiliation: Département de pédiatrie, faculté de médecine, université des sciences de la santé, Owendo, Gabon.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mengue
authors.affiliation: Département de pédiatrie, faculté de médecine, université des sciences de la santé, Owendo, Gabon.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Eko
authors.affiliation: Département de pédiatrie, faculté de médecine, université des sciences de la santé, Owendo, Gabon.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ondo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005681:Gabon; D006801:Humans; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Sickle-cell disease; hydroxyurea; leg ulcers