Mycetoma Epidemiology and Clinical Findings in Mogadishu, Somalia.

Background

Mycetoma is a public health problem with a high prevalence in Africa. Materials and

Methods

The study included 50 cases presenting at a tertiary care research hospital, retrospectively (cases we visited and followed up between November 2022 and March 2023) and prospectively between 1 August and 30 September 2024. Demographic characteristics, clinical features, physical examination findings, and diagnostic methods were reported.

Results

Out of 50 patients, 76% were male and 24% were female. The mean age (mean ± SD) of all cases was 35.50 ± 15.14. The most affected occupational group was farmers (44%). All patients presented with complaints of swelling. Symptoms continued for > 1-5 years in about 30 percent of cases. The diagnosis was made by pathological biopsy in 62% of the cases. The lower extremities were most commonly affected (80%), and subcutaneous soft tissue and muscle involvement was also commonly encountered. Bone involvement was higher in eumycetoma cases as compared to actinomycetoma.

Conclusion

The frequency of myçetoma cases, which can involve all parts of the lower extremities, was determined, especially in Somali farmers. Difficulties in diagnosis and follow-up were analyzed.