Search

AIM: The Diabcare Africa project was carried out across six sub-Saharan African countries to collect standardised and comparable information for the evaluation of diabetes control, management and late complications in diabetic populations at specialist clinics. METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive study of 2352 type-2 diabetes patients who were treated at specialist clinics for at least 12months prior to the study. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 53.0±16.0years and had 8.0±6.0years known duration of diabetes. 47% had their HbA1c assessed in the past year (mean 8.2±2.4%) with 29% achieving a level <6.5%. 21% had BP within 130/80mmHg and 65% were treated for hypertension. Fasting lipids were assessed in 45% of the patients with mean cholesterol level of 4.9±1.2mmol/L, HDL-cholesterol of 1.3±0.7mmol/L and triglycerides of 1.2±0.7mmol/L. 13% of the patients were treated for hyperlipidaemia, mostly with statins. Background retinopathy (18%) and cataract (14%) were the most common eye complications. Macrovascular disease was rare, and 48% had neuropathy. CONCLUSIONS: Half of the patients benefitted from standard care, and a third had appropriate glycaemic control - attributed to access to, rather than quality of care. This study provided evidence to support appropriate interventions to diabetic populations of sub-Saharan origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hyperthyroidism in children is rare and constitutes a problem because of its psychosomatic impact. This study aimed to present an overview of the state of knowledge on these aspects in children from Dakar., Methods: We conducted a multicenter, descriptive study over a period of 15 years. We evaluated the epidemiological, clinical and etiologic aspects of hyperthyroidism in children., Results: 239 patients were included in the study with a prevalence of 2.4%, a sex ratio (M/F) of 0.36 and an average age of 10.8 years. The inclusion criteria were being the eldest son in a family(26.3%), being advanced (36.9%) or delayed (12.5%) in maturation, having short stature (40.1%). It was caused by Graves' disease in 90.3% of cases with psychoaffective factor in 22.1%. On a clinical point of view tachycardia (92.4%), goiter (91.1%), exophthalmia (81.8%), weight loss (69.8%) prevailed but with bed-wetting (30.2%) and psychic manifestations (3.1%). Cardiovascular and cutaneous manifestations were positively associated with age (p < 0.05). Goiter was associated with female sex (p = 0.005), cardiovascular (p = 0.02), neuropsychic (p = 0.03), skin (p = 0.03) signs and diarrhea (p = 0.03). Free T4 was correlated with age (p = 0.007), diarrhea (p = 0.021), anxiety (p = 0.024), heart rate (p = 0.00) and Graves' disease (p = 0.04). More voluminous the goiter, higher the free T4 (p = 0.007)., Conclusion: Hyperthyroidism in children differs from that in adults because of induction factors, growth disturbances and enuresis. Age and sex seem to favor the clinical picture of thyrotoxicosis and its associated signs.

The aims of this study are to investigate the production of activated carbons (AC) from Senegal agricultural wastes such as cashew shells, millet stalks and rice husks and to implement them in adsorption processes devoted to arsenic (V) removal. AC were produced by a direct physical activation with water steam without other chemicals. This production of AC has also led to co-products (gas and bio-oil) which have been characterized in terms of physical, chemical and thermodynamical properties for energy recovery. Considering the arsenic adsorption results and the energy balance for the three studied biomasses, the first results have shown that the millet stalks seem to be more interesting for arsenate removal from natural water and an energy recovery with a GEE elec of 18.9%. Cashew shells, which have shown the best energy recovery (34.3%), are not suitable for arsenate removal. This global approach is original and contributes to a recycling of biowastes with a joint recovery of energy and material.

Senegal will not be spared by the process of the aging of its population. In fact, according to surveys, the demographic increase in the population of the old people, which is 3.5% higher than the national average (2.5%). But for the time being, gerontology problems are not arising in terms of demographic weight, but rather in terms of the breaking up of solidarity networks, uncontrolled urbanization and poverty. As far as health is concerned, the old people generally are faced with the same problems as their Northern counterparts; they are exposed to chronic diseases that demand their taking in charge in a long period of time. Besides, these diseases are a great handicap and they are also disabling diseases. So taking them in charge puts a financial on their meager family budgets or their pensions. In addition, there are no specialists in geriatrics, and those working in the field did not receive any training for that. Moreover, most of our health facilities are lacking in diagnostic means. Therefore, gerontology-geriatrics solutions that are adapted to our socio-economic context should be assigned straight away. The problem is not about stopping the process of aging, which, as a physiological process, is inevitable and irreversible, but rather delaying its effects. The matter at issue will be about how to set up a decentralized and integrated program that is designed to fight against geriatric diseases and disorders and that mainly focuses on screening and primary and secondary prevention, for our low financial resources and the low medical equipment of our health facilities cannot help us to adequately take charge of complications related to these diseases.

Objective: It is predicted that Africa will have the greatest increase in the number of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) within the next decade. T2DM patients are at risk for cardiovascular disorders. In Sub-Saharan African countries, sickle cell trait (SCT) is frequent. Despite the presence of modest abnormalities in hemorheology and oxidative stress, SCT is generally considered a benign condition. Little is known about vascular function in SCT, although recent studies demonstrated an increased risk of cardiovascular disorders, including venous thromboembolism, stroke, and chronic kidney disease. We hypothesized that SCT could accentuate the vascular dysfunction observed in T2DM., Research Design and Methods: The current study, conducted in Senegal, compared vascular function, hemorheological profile, and biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and nitric oxide metabolism in healthy individuals (CONT), subjects with T2DM or SCT, and patients with both T2DM and SCT (T2DM-SCT)., Results: Flow-mediated dilation was blunted in individuals with T2DM, SCT, and T2DM-SCT compared with CONT, with vascular dysfunction being most pronounced in the latter group. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity measurements demonstrated increased arterial stiffness in T2DM-SCT. Oxidative stress, advanced glycation end products, and inflammation (interleukin-1β) were greater in patients with T2DM-SCT compared with the other groups. Blood viscosity was higher in individuals with TD2M, SCT carriers, and individuals with T2DM-SCT, and the values were further increased in the latter group., Conclusions: Our results demonstrate severe biological abnormalities and marked vascular dysfunction in patients with both T2DM and SCT. SCT should be viewed as a risk factor for further cardiovascular disorders in individuals with T2DM., (© 2015 by the American Diabetes Association. Readers may use this article as long as the work is properly cited, the use is educational and not for profit, and the work is not altered.)

Introduction: The discovery of silent myocardial ischemia in a diabetic placed in a logic of secondary prevention. The objectives of this study were to investigate the echocardiographic parameters of type 2 Senegalese diabetics at high cardiovascular risk and identify those that are predictors of silent myocardial ischemia., Patients and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in 79 diabetic patients at high cardiovascular risk. After clinical examination, we conducted laboratory tests (glucose, creatinine, lipid profile, blood count and blood chemistry panel), ECG, standard echocardiography and dobutamine stress echocardiography looking for silent myocardial ischemia. Data were analyzed using SPSS 17 and echocardiographic parameters determining predictors of silent myocardial ischemia using a multivariate analysis., Results: Seventy-nine with type 2 diabetics at high cardiovascular risk were assessed, including 56 women. The mean age was 58.8±11.8 years (44-72ans). The abnormalities found in echocardiography were dominated by left atrium dilation (72.2%), increased filling pressures of left ventricle and increased left ventricular mass in 62.02% cases respectively. At stress echocardiography, regional wall motion abnormalities were found in 67.1% of patients. These disorders were significantly more frequent in patients who had a dilated left atrium (P=0.0001), increased filling pressures (P=0.001) and high left ventricular mass (P=0.001)., Conclusion: In diabetic patients at high cardiovascular risk, the existence of a dilation of the left atrium to left ventricular hypertrophy or increased filling pressures of the left ventricle may indicate a silent myocardial ischemia., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background: Venous thromboembolism is a common and preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. There is a lack of data on the distribution of risk factors and prophylaxis practices in sub-Saharan Africa., Aim: To assess the prevalence of venous thromboembolism risk in hospitalized patients and to determine the proportion of at-risk patients who receive prophylaxis., Methods: The study was a cross-sectional hospital-based survey. On the basis of the global ENDORSE methodology, patients aged≥40 years admitted to a medical ward or those aged≥18 years admitted to a surgical ward were assessed for risk of venous thromboembolism by hospital chart review. Distribution of risk factors and coverage of prophylaxis in at-risk patients were determined using the 2004 American College of Chest Physicians evidence-based consensus guidelines., Results: From October to November 2008, 520 patients (278 medical; 242 surgical) were enrolled in 12 hospitals across Senegal. Two hundred and ninety-eight (57%) were at risk of venous thromboembolism; 152 (57.4%) medical patients and 146 (60.3%) surgical patients. Among those at risk, 48 (31.6%) medical patients and 52 (35.6%) surgical patients received a prescription for prophylaxis. Among patients without contraindication to anticoagulants, 33.8% (46/136) on medical wards and 37.5% (48/128) on surgical wards received prophylaxis., Conclusion: The risk of venous thromboembolism was frequent in hospitalized patients in Senegal but only a few received the recommended prophylaxis. There is a need to implement a programme to improve venous thromboembolism awareness and prophylaxis., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Diabetes is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease witch may develop insidiously. Several non-invasive methods are used to detect silent myocardial ischaemia, especially in diabetic patients at high cardiovascular risk. We project to screen, by dobutamine stress echocardiography, silent myocardial ischaemia in type 2 diabetics in Senegal., Methodology: We randomly recruited in hospital in Senegal type 2 diabetics aged at least 40 years and a dobutamine stress echocardiography was performed in those selected according to the French Society of Cardiology and the French Language Association for the Study of Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases., Results: Dobutamine stress echocardiography was performed in 79 diabetics at high cardiovascular risk, including 56 women. The average age was 58.8±11.8 years. The exam was positive in 67.1% of cases (53/79), with a predominance of motion abnormalities in anterior territory (83%). Cardiovascular risk factors associated with positivity of test were microalbuminuria (p=0.0001), inactivity (p=0.0001), dyslipidemia (p=0.0002), arterial hypertension (p=0.001), smoking (0.003) and male sex (p=0.004)., Conclusion: In Africa, dobutamine stress echocardiography has the advantage of its accessibility and its feasibility. Early detection of silent myocardial ischaemia in diabetics at high risk could optimize their care., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between anthropometric characteristics and cardiometabolic risk factors in urban-dwelling adults in Senegal to evaluate future threats to the public health in terms of chronic diseases., Methods: Age- and gender-matched control subjects for a study on the prevalence of lipodystrophy in HIV+ patients were selected between June and September 2006 from the general population through systematic home visits guided by area of residence of cases. After consenting to participate, these subjects underwent anthropometric, clinical and biological examinations in their homes., Results: The sample included 60 men and 106 women, mean age of 43.2 ± 9.4 years. Although the prevalence of overweight and obesity was much higher in women (30.2 and 29.2%, respectively) vs. 23.3 and 3.4%, respectively, in men (P<0.001), the women had lower waist-to-hip ratios (mean [95% CI]: 0.78 [0.77-0.80] vs. 0.86 [0.84-0.88] in men; P<10(-4)) and better systolic blood pressure, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels. However, their insulin levels were significantly higher (32.1 [28.2-36.5] pmol/l vs. 25.5 [21.0-30.8] in men; P<0.04). Principal component analysis showed that glucose and insulin correlated with subcutaneous fat, whereas blood pressure correlated with central fat distribution. Lipids were distributed between these two factors., Conclusion: Obesity still appears to be rare in Senegalese urban-dwelling men, whereas women, despite their overweight, have no untoward cardiometabolic profiles. However, the observed correlations between cardiometabolic risk factors and the amount and/or distribution of body fat suggest that obesity prevention should not be overlooked in the public health agenda for sub-Saharan Africa., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The follow-up of diabetes mellitus in children and teenagers remains a challenge. Ketoacidosis is the most frequent acute metabolic complication and is of bad prognosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate etiologicals factors of decompensation and evolutions in type 1 diabetes., Patients and Methods: We conducted a transversal and prospective study from January 2009 to October 2010. All type 1 diabetic patients hospitalized for ketoacidosis had been included. For every patient, we have studied the epidemiologicals, etiologicals and clinicals factors as well as the outcomes., Results: The prevalence was to 55.3 % among all ketoacidosis. Sex-ratio (Men/Women) was 0.78, mean age to 25.73 years and mean duration of diabetes was 3.9 years. Ketoacidosis was inaugural in 26 % of cases. Except Kussmaul dyspnea, prevailed digestives symptoms (87.6 %). Coma was noted in 82.1 % among whom 54.7 % had no previous diabetic follow-up. A decompensation factor was found in 93.1 % of which an infection (78 %) or stop insulin (53.42 %). Prevailing infectious sites were urogenitals (24.6 %), respiratories (20.5 %). The outcome was fatal in 6.8 % of the cases. It was about 24.3 years middle-aged, 1,6 year diabetes mellitus mean duration, without regular follow-up in 80 % of the cases. Other associated factors were coma stage 2 or 3 (80%), infection (60 %), hypokalemia (40 %)., Conclusion: Ketoacidosis is frequent in type 1 diabetic patients and has a bad prognosis. Infection and stop insulin are major factors of decompensation. Its prévention requires an adapted therapeutic education associated to a regular follow-up of patients.

Diabetes is the most common metabolic disorder worldwide and is a major public health problem. Its frequency increases every day in all countries. However, in developing African countries, few people have access to drugs. In addition, in Africa, traditional beliefs induce people to use medicinal plants whenever they have health problems. Thus, many people in these developing countries use plants for the treatment of diabetes. Yet, few studies are focused on the knowledge and attitudes of the users on medicinal plants in Africa in general and in Senegal in particular. Hence we undertook this survey on the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of diabetes in Senegal in order to make recommendations which could contribute to the increase of the value of herbal medicines in developing countries. We did a cross-sectional survey by direct interview at a university teaching hospital, in Dakar with a representative sample of 220 patients. Forty-one plants were used by the patients and the two most frequently cited were Moringa oleifera Lam (65.90%) and Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich) Hochst (43.20%). Patients gave several reasons for using medicinal plants (traditional treatment: 40%, efficacy: 32%, low cost: 20%). The principal suppliers of plants were tradesmen in the market (66.8%) and traditional therapists (5%). Sixty-five per cent of patients think that medicinal plants are efficient for the treatment of diabetes and 20% have reported adverse effects which could be caused by medicinal plants. In conclusion, many people in our study think that medicinal plants are efficient for the treatment of diabetes, which requires research work by scientists in developing countries in this field in order to prove their efficacy and innocuousness.

Introduction: Diabetic foot is a major complication of diabetes due to its frequency and its high risk of evolution to amputation. We report 105 cases recruited at the diabetes centre Marc Sankale., Method: It's a prospective study including all diabetic patients who attended the diabetes centre for any foot lesion during a one year period. Besides clinical examination data, results of glycaemia, foot X-ray Doppler and bacteriological analysis of the pus were collected., Results: foot lesion represented 2.8% of diabetologist causes of consultation. Mean age of occurrence was 55 +/- 14 years in 63% women and 37% men. Diabetes was type 2 in 90% cases, poorly controlled in 63.92 % cases. Foot lesion was dominated by infection (97%), isolated or associated to peripheral vascular disease (32.4%) or neuropathy (13.3%). 67 patients had medical treatment and healed their wounds in 3 months in 76% cases. 38 other cases needed surgery : major amputation (15%), minor amputation (13%) debridment (9%) and revascularization (1%)., Conclusion: Diabetic foot is a frequent reason for consultation at the National diabetes centre. Despite all the improvements made after the implementation of the patient's educational program, treatment starts late because of economical and cultural reasons that increase morbidity.

Introduction: To date no study in our country was specifically dedicated on toxic nodular goiter. They were just mentioned in generally studies about hyperthyroidism., Method: The authors report a retrospective series of 62 cases of toxic nodular goitre collected between 1979 and 1999 at the internal medical clinic of Dakar teaching hospital. The diagnostic of toxic nodule was retained on following criteria: to existence of one or several thyroid nodule with signs or thyrotoxicosis, the existence of a hyperfixating nodule at 131 iodine scintigraphy. Increasing of T3 and/or T4 thyroide hormone. The aims of the study was to analyse the epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutics aspects., Results: We are collected 49 cases of solitary nodule (79.03%) and 13 cases of multi nodular goitre (20.97%). In the cases of solitary nodule, mean age was 40 years, sex ratio of 0.04 (47 female, 2 men). The nodule was clinically diagnosed in 47 cases (95.9%) and extinctive in 73.5%. 34.3% of patients have cardiothyreosis. In the cases of multi nodular goitre mean age was 45 years, all cases were female, goitre was clinically identified in 95.3% (12 patients) and 46.5% had cardiothyreosis. 62% of patients were lost to follow up during medical treatment. Only 2 patients on the 37 who were addressed for surgery come back after thyroidectomy., Conclusion: This study confirm the predominance of toxic nodular goitre in young female, its severity related to cardiothyreosis and underlines the difficulties limited to the therapeutical care.

Introduction: Sarcoidosis cases had been rarely reported in Senegal in spite of the high frequency of sarcoidosis in black people. The purpose of this work was to determine the epidemiological, clinical and evaluative profile of sarcoidosis in Dakar., Material and Methods: We performed a multicentric retrospective trial in order to characterise sarcoidosis cases in Senegal from 1968 to 2004., Results: Twenty cases (21 females and 9 men) were observed. The average age was 40 years. Duration before first medical attention was up to one year in 20 cases. Ten patients received an anti tuberculosis treatment before sarcoidosis diagnosis. Sarcoidosis was a systemic disease in 76% of cases and only cutaneous in 24%. Cutaneous lesions were found in 66,66% of cases. Presenting features were cutaneous (46%), general (30%), rheumatoid, (16,6%), Lofgren syndrome (3 cases). The cutaneous lesions were specific in 94% of cases as small nodules (50%), placards (20%), great nodules (15%) and scars sarcoidosis (10%). Extra cutaneous involvement were pulmonary (73,33%), lymphadenopathy (66,66%), and rheumatoid (20%). Pulmonary tuberculosis was associated in 4 cases., Discussion: Our data confirmed rarity of sarcoidosis in Senegal opposite to the high reported frequency in other black population in developed country. Clinical features were polymorph and the systemic forms predominant. Tuberculosis may be rule out in order to avoid miss diagnosis.

Purpose: Attempting to improve life expectancy among diabetics reveals degenerative complications, including diabetic retinopathy (DR) linked to microangiopathy. We assessed the incidence of diabetic retinopathy in its various forms amongst diabetics in Senegal., Patients and Methods: We carried out a survey between March and October 1998. The 51 patients surveyed had been affected for more than 5 years. They were divided into two groups: insulin-dependent diabetes (IDD) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDD). Patients were aged 17-71 and included 27 IDD and 24 NIDD. Each patient was given both a biological checkup (blood sugar level, HBA1c, creatininemy, triglycerides, cholesterol, albuminaria and urinary glucose) and an ophthalmological checkup with angiography in fluorescence., Results: Of the 51 patients studied, 26 presented a progression span of the disease of over 10 years. DR was detected in 62 eyes out of 102 (60.78%), with 37.25% of nonproliferating DR, 17.65% of preproliferating DR, and 5.88% of proliferating DR. Maculopathy was detected in 10 eyes (9.80%). Amongst the IDD patients, diabetic retinopathy accounted for 57.14% of diabetes, with a progression span of less than 10 years, compared to 84.62% for diabetes with a progression span of over 10 years. Amongst the NIDD patients, diabetic retinopathy accounted for 36.36% compared to 61.54%., Discussion: Through these results, a connection can be made between diabetic retinopathy, the progression span of diabetes, the type of diabetes, and the other microangiopathies. We noted a rise in retinopathy that increased with the age of diabetes patients and their IDD group., Conclusion: A multidisciplinary support of diabetes ensures early detection of diabetic retinopathy; hence the need for closer collaboration between the endocrinologist and the ophthalmologist.

Objective: Norplant is a long lasting contraceptive method which protect again pregnancy for five years. We studied the side effects and the variations related to weight and blood pressure., Material and Methods: The study was carried out in three family planning clinics in Dakar with 450 women who have had their implants for at least six months. Data collection was based on patient interviews and review of medical files., Results: The side effects reported were mainly menstrual problems with 54.7% of the women reporting menstrual spotting. The other non-menstruel side effects were headaches (64.2%) and dizziness (59.1%). The side effects at the insertion site were pruritus (16%) and pain (3.1%). Regarding weight and blood pressure, an increase in weight was observed up to three years of Norplant use and a decrease to the initial weight was seen during the fifth year of use. No variation was noted regarding blood pressure., Conclusion: Norplant is a contraceptive method widely used in Senegal. Most of the side effects involve menstrual problems. A slight increase of weight was observed in general with no variation in blood pressure.

Nephropathy is one of the complications occuring during diabetes and it is diagnosed via microalbuminuria. From 1992 to 1999, five hundred and eighty seven (587) diabetic patients were recruited and distributed into two groups, A (n = 270) and B (n = 317). Microalbuminuria was determined by immunonephelemetry for group A and immunoturbidimetry for group B. The results showed respectively 15.5% and 20.19% pathological cases in the two groups (NS). Considering the distribution of patients with microalbuminuria according to the type of diabetes, there were 16.12% type 1 and 15.07% type 2 in group A against 22.60% and 18.13% in group B; no statistically significant differences were observed either in the same group or from one group to another. These frequencies might reflect the situation in the nineties; they are lower than those encountered in other populations. Nevertheless monitoring is needed through a regular schedule to prevent nephropathy.

We achieved the dosage of platelet factor 4 (PF 4) and beta thromboglobulin (B-TG), two proteins stored in platelet alpha granules and released from the platelets when activated. These proteins were studied by ELISA technics in patients with type 2 diabetes without any complications (n = 32), with thrombotic complication (n = 32) and in a healthy control group (n = 32). The diabetic patients with complications had significantly elevated plasma levels of PF4 and B-TG compared with diabetic patients without complications, whereas levels of these proteins where normal in control group. These high rates of PF4 and B-TG were significantly related to a disturbance of lipidic balance. Our data suggest that platelet hyperactivation may be a reliable element in the pathogenesis of thrombotic complications in type 2 diabetes.

A variety of occupational asthma is induced by important exposure to irritants. A case is reported, where le patient developed asthma symptoms like, following huge exposure to sulfur dioxide. All Books criteria were met, except for the metachlorine challenge which was not performed. Nevertheless the bronchial reactivity in the work place, shown by a portable pick flow eased le diagnosis. General practitioners and occupational physicians should be aware of this new medical entity for a better management.

We report a case of carpal tunnel syndrome which occurred in a office secretary, whose job task was mainly type writing. Occupational origin of this disease was stressed based on unilateral lesion, absence of personal and familial risk factors. Working conditions seem to explain the occurrence of symptoms. The recognition of occupational origin is important for physicians, because it eases the implementation of ergonomic sound measures which supply medical treatment. It also allows to take into account medico-legal aspects.

Nephropathy is one of the complications occuring during diabetes diagnosed via microalbuminuria. From 1992 to 1999, five hundred and eighty seven (587) diabetic patients were recruited in groups A (n = 270) and B (n=317). Microalbuminuria was determined by immunonepheletry for A and immunoturbidimetry for B. The results pointed out respectively 15.5% and 20.19% pathological cases (NS). Considering the distribution of patients with microalbuminuria according to the type of diabetes there were 16.12% type 1 and 15.07% type 2 in group A against 22.60% and 18.13% in group B ; no stastically significant differences were observed either in the same group or from one group to another. These frequencies would reflect the situation in the nineties; they are lower than those encountered in other populations. Nevertheless monitoring is needed through a regular schedule to prevent nephropathy.

Objective: The objective of this study was to report the epidemiological profile of erectile dysfunction in a population of diabetic men., Material and Methods: This was a prospective study including 431 diabetic patients seen in the outpatients department. 69 of these patients suffered from erectile dysfunction. A control group of 138 patients was randomly selected according to age from among the remaining 362 patients. Each patient was submitted to complete clinical examination. The medical and surgical history, particularly vascular, neurological, endocrine and urological, was recorded. The patient's smoking and drinking habits and treatment with any antidiabetic or other drugs were also recorded. Statistical analysis was performed according to the case-control method. The limit of significance was p < 0.05., Results: The overall prevalence of erectile dysfunction was 16%. This rate is lower than those reported in the literature. Among the various risk factors, only complications of diabetes, especially neurological complications, were clearly correlated with the risk of erectile dysfunction (p = 0.0004). Similarly, the prevalence of erectile dysfunction increased with the duration of diabetes (p = 0.049)., Conclusion: The prevalence of erectile dysfunction in diabetic patients often appears to be overestimated in the literature. Methodological biases would explain the marked variation of reported prevalence rates. In contrast, our study confirms previous reports that neurological factors play a predominant role.

In insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, HLA-DR markers are involved, namely DR3, DR4 and DR9 alleles, among black senegalese populations. Studying the different associations of these alleles showed a strong predisposition to insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus with DR3/4 (p > 10(-2); OR = 13.6); DR4/9 (p < 10(-2); OR = 8.32) and DR9/9 (p < 0.05; OR = 7.78). And then it was observed a tendency to an inverse relationship of DR3/4 frequency with age of onset in male patients.

When diabetes has been diagnosed, its classification into different types is traditionally carried out according to clinical criteria. But with arising of new parameters, one of which is C-peptide, and various subtypes of diabetes, it became more difficult. So, in order to improve the accuracy of the classification, 270 diabetic patients and 269 controls, all black senegalese subjects, were submitted to a two-step oral glucose tolerance test (0 and 120 min.) with determination of plasma glucose and C-peptide concentrations. The majority of NIDDM were confirmed at the opposite of IDDM; furthermore, it has been pointed out a group corresponding with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) among the initial controls. When comparing the two classification modes, before and after plasma C-peptide determination, it appeared statistically significant differences with p values of 10(-4) for both IDDM and NIDDM.

At the opposite of HLA-DR, HLA-DQ was not well documented in homogeneous negroïd populations. So, 93 IDDM and 115 control patients, all black senegalese people, were studied. The results showed three HLA-DQ IDDM-related susceptibility genotypes and also a high risk conferred by HLA-DR4/DR9 usually described in Mongoloïd people. Furthermore, DR:DQ associations allowed the identification of three IDDM predisposition genotypes, each of them with a characteristic mean age for disease diagnosis.

Aims: Study of Diabetic arteriopathies Arteriopathies in cervico encephalic arteries and lower limbs were detected both with Echography and Doppler flow velocity waveform analysis from 60 treated patients. They were shared into 34 women (57%) and 26 men (43%). Patients age varied between 39 and 77 years. 85% were non insulin dependent versus 15% insulin dependent patients. 36 patients (60%) presented arterial abnormalities, 14 of which (23.33%) were located in the lower limbs, 19 (31.66%) in the carotid arteries, and 3 (7%) in both carotid arteries and the lower limbs. Arteriopathies were found in medium aged patients (40-60 years). Arteriopathies are often noted in medium aged diabetics. The prevalence of lesions were relatively higher in supra-aortic trunks (36%) than in lower limbs arteries (28%). They are distal in lower limbs and constitute a factor of diabetes prognosis. The sensitivity and the less expensive cost of ultrasonor methods give a first choice to these technics in the patients following up and prevention of vascular complications of diabetes in Africa.

Introduction and Objectives: Diabetic Pregnancy Prognosis in Seventies is it better in Eighties because of Patient Education?, Methodology: Retrospectively, since 1980 to 1989, in Women in status to breed, Diabetic Pregnancy was screened in our Department. W.H.O.'s (1980) Diabetes Mellitus Criterias, PEDERSEN's Criterias, White's Classification were used. Studied Parameters were etiologic factors (age, type, Diabetes oldness and control), former and present Evolution of Pregnancies (term and pregnancy's product)., Results: A--In Global Study, 15.07% Diabetic Pregnancies were observed: 22 (37%) Insulin Dependent and 38 (63%) Non Insulin Dependent. The global mean of age was 31 years; Diabetic Mellitus was less than 10 years old in 90% cases whatever the type. Their control was not good (Glycemic Control < 1.4 g/l in less than 50%). Diabetes complications were nephropathy (13.6% and 8%), retinopathy (13.6% and 18.5%), arterial hypertension (0% and 26.32%), cetoacidosis (31.42% and 0%), urinary tract infection (18% and 0%) respectively in Insulin Dependent and Non Insulin Dependent Pregnancies. Near a third (31.6%) of Insulin Dependent and a third (33.41%) for Non Insulin Dependent were of D, F, H White's Class. Multipares were often Non Insulin Dependent and inversely Insulin Dependent frequently paucipare. Former Pregnancies had near 25.5% interrupted term in Insulin Dependents. Present Pregnancies have given 28.5% and 32% of Normal Children: 14.25 and 12% of Abortions and 14.25% and 6% of Spontaneous Premature Parturitions respectively in Insulin Dependents and Non Insulin Dependents. B--In Analytic Study of Foetopathies, bad Prognosis Factors were high Maternal Age, Multiparity, bad Glycemic Control whatever Diabetes type. For Insulin Dependent, Negligency was added and for Non Insulin Dependent, Obesity, Arterial Hypertension and all PBSP., Discussion and Conclusion: A relatively mild Diabetic Pregnancy Prognosis in our areas with limited means has been observed despite of Patients Education.

Five women suffering from Cushing's disease were treated with ketoconazole 800 mg per day for 2 to 28 months (mean 12.4 months). Four of them had full clinical and biochemical regression. However, after 8 months of therapy the disease failed to respond in three of these four women. Increasing the ketoconazole dosage up to 1,200 mg per day was ineffective in two patients. Such an escape phenomenon, not described until now, will restrict the use of ketoconazole in the treatment of Cushing's disease, although the drug is easy to administer and well tolerated globally and by the liver in most cases.