[Spondylodiscitis at a hospital outpatient clinic in Lome, Togo].

PURPOSE: This investigation was carried out to determine the frequency and features of spondylodiscitis in patients attending the Tokoin University Hospital Center in Togo.

PATIENTS AND

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%).

CONCLUSION

Spondylodiscitis is still a frequent reason for seeking medical care in Black Africa.