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Characteristics of systemic sclerosis patients in Nairobi, Kenya : a retrospective study
Abstract
Objectives: Systemic sclerosis is a rare rheumatologic disorder that has not been well characterized in African populations. No previous studies have been carried out in Kenya, or in the East
African region.
Design: A retrospective descriptive study.
Methods: Records of patients at the Kenyatta National Hospital and Nairobi Arthritis Clinic with a diagnosis of systemic sclerosis based on the American College of Rheumatology criteria were recruited into the study. The study covered a ten year period between 2001 and 2011.
Results: A total of 50 patients were identified, with a predilection of the disease to the female gender (M:F 1:4). The mean age of presentation was 41.7 years with a range of 4 years to 70 years. Majority of the patients (82%) presented with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis. Overlap syndromes were documented in eight of the patients. Skin manifestation was the commonest presentation (100%), followed by Raynaud’s phenomenon (64%), pulmonary disease (56%) and esophageal disease (54%). Antinuclear antibodies were present in 67% of the patients tested. Of the patients tested for anti- SCL-70 autoantibodies, only 28% were positive. Most of the patients (80%) were on immunosuppresants whereas 54% were on proton pump inhibitors/prokinetics.
Conclusion: Patients in Nairobi with systemic sclerosis have similar characteristics as cases described elsewhere in Africa.
Key words: Systemic sclerosis, Scleroderma,
Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi Arhtritis clinit
African region.
Design: A retrospective descriptive study.
Methods: Records of patients at the Kenyatta National Hospital and Nairobi Arthritis Clinic with a diagnosis of systemic sclerosis based on the American College of Rheumatology criteria were recruited into the study. The study covered a ten year period between 2001 and 2011.
Results: A total of 50 patients were identified, with a predilection of the disease to the female gender (M:F 1:4). The mean age of presentation was 41.7 years with a range of 4 years to 70 years. Majority of the patients (82%) presented with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis. Overlap syndromes were documented in eight of the patients. Skin manifestation was the commonest presentation (100%), followed by Raynaud’s phenomenon (64%), pulmonary disease (56%) and esophageal disease (54%). Antinuclear antibodies were present in 67% of the patients tested. Of the patients tested for anti- SCL-70 autoantibodies, only 28% were positive. Most of the patients (80%) were on immunosuppresants whereas 54% were on proton pump inhibitors/prokinetics.
Conclusion: Patients in Nairobi with systemic sclerosis have similar characteristics as cases described elsewhere in Africa.
Key words: Systemic sclerosis, Scleroderma,
Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi Arhtritis clinit
