Leg ulceration in a population of Nigerian patients with sickle cell anaemia – twenty years experience

Abstract

This retrospective study was conducted to determine the incidence of leg ulcers among a cohort of patients presenting with sickle cell disease at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City. A total of 1163 patients with various haematological conditions were seen over a period of twenty years (1973–1992). The case files of these patients were examined with a view to identifying those with leg ulcers. Of the 1163 cases of haematological disorders seen over the study period, 686 (58.9%) were sickle cell disease. The patients were aged between 11 and 42 years (mean age = 28 years). Skin ulcers were the commonest long-term complications, representing 63 (9.2%) cases. Fifty two (7.6%) were leg ulcers with a slight female preponderance (male: female ratio 1:1.08), and the left leg was more commonly affected. Two cases were reported healed following EUSOL toileting and dressing. Also routine EUSOL toileting and dressing with antibiotic powder, though simple, appears more likely to improve ulcer healing than surgical approaches. Leg ulcer is the commonest long-term complication of sickle cell disease in Nigeria, and Staphylococcus aureus is most frequently cultured.


[Jnl Medicine & Biomedical Res. Vol.1(1) 2002: 18-21]