Diabetes and COVID-19 in Congolese patients

Background: The global pandemic Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is reported to be potentially severe in patients with morbid conditions. One common reported comorbidities is diabetes. We aimed in this study to precise the clinical characteristics and outcomes in a series of congolese diabetic patients affected by COVID-19 infection. Patients and methods: We retrospectely studied from 256 COVID-19 patients, a cohort of 30 persons with previously known diabetes. The glycaemia controls have been obtained by plasma glucose assay. All patients have been tested positive to SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR method. Results: The COVID-19 diabetic patients represented 11,7% of all COVID-19 patients with confidence interval of 95% [7,77-15,65]. Older individuals and male sex were predominent. Dyspnea and sauration of oxygen < 90 were significatives and added risk factors were noted in 63.3% of patients, particulary hyperglycaemia with hypertension or obesity. The mortality rate at the percentage of 36.7% was more prevalent in patients with added comorbidities (30%) versus without comorbidities (6.7%). Conclusion: Congolese COVID-19 diabetic patients of male sex and older age exhibiting arterial hypertension and obesity are the most exposed to severe COVID-19 and increasead mortality rate

Pregnancy and Accelerated Phase of Myeloid Chronic Leukemia Treated with Imatinib: A Case Report from a Developing Country

Background. Chronic myeloid leukemia is a hematological malignancy caused by expression of BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase oncogene, product of the t(9;22) Philadelphia translocation. Accelerated phase of this disease marks the onset of advanced rapidly progressive disease unresponsive to many therapies. Pregnancy limits broad number of therapies on patients because of their potential teratogenic effects. We report the case of a pregnant 34-year-old patient on accelerated phase successively managed by imatinib. She achieved a safe pregnancy and delivered at 39 weeks a healthy baby without congenital abnormalities. Our case is unusual because of the accelerated phase of the disease. Case Presentation. A 34-year-old African female with history of chronic phase of myeloid leukemia on imatinib, lost to follow-up for 4 months, presented to the hematological department for abdominal discomfort. Accelerated phase of chronic myeloid leukemia was diagnosed. Complete hematological response was achieved on high doses of imatinib. At the completion of 39 weeks, she delivered a healthy child without congenital anomalies. Conclusion. Despite its teratogenic and embryotoxic effects, front line imatinib is the only effective, well-tolerated treatment for patient on accelerated phase that can be offered to patients in sub-Saharan countries

Sickle-Cell Disease Healthcare Cost in Africa: Experience of the Congo

Background. Lack of medical coverage in Africa leads to inappropriate care that has an impact on the mortality rate. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the cost of severe acute sickle-cell related complications in Brazzaville. Methods. A retrospective study was conducted in 2014 in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. It concerned 94 homozygote sickle-cell children that developed severe acute sickle-cell disease related complications (average age 69 months). For each patient, we calculated the cost of care complication. Results. The household income was estimated as low (<XAF 90,000/<USD 158.40) in 27.7%. The overall median cost for hospitalization for sickle-cell related acute complications was XAF 65,460/USD 115.21. Costs were fluctuating depending on the generating factors of the severe acute complications (p=0.041). They were higher in case of complications generated by bacterial infections (ranging from XAF 66,765/USD 117.50 to XAF 135,271.50/USD 238.07) and lower in case of complications associated with malaria (ranging from XAF 28,305/49.82 to XAF 64,891.63/USD 114.21). The mortality rate was 17% and was associated with the cost of the case management (p=0.006). Conclusion. The case management cost of severe acute complications of sickle-cell disease in children is high in Congo

How to implement medical and patient associations in low‐income countries: A proposition from the African French Alliance for the Treatment of Haemophilia (AFATH)

International audienceIntroduction: There is a lack of joint recommendations by healthcare professionals (HCP) and patient organizations when a partnership between high and low-income countries in the field of haemophilia is planned.Aim: To draft recommendations to clarify the methodology when a partnership between low- and high-income countries is planned with the objective of a long-term implication. This methodology is to be implemented for fulfilling both medical and associative aims.Methods: Based on the available literature, a first document was written, then diffused to AFATH (Alliance Franco-Africaine pour le Traitement de l'Hémophilie) members, and after a one-day meeting and further amendments, a second draft was approved by all members before submission for publication.Results: Based on 6 years experience, several recommendations regarding the joint and separate roles of patient association and HCP for a first mission in French-speaking sub-Saharan African countries have been established. The proposed methodology for establishing preliminary contacts, the first visit and the key points for diagnostic action, medical follow-up, patient education and advocacy strategy outlines a model of partnership between patients and HCP.Conclusion: This paper written jointly by patients and physicians underlines the importance of reciprocal expert guidance and a partnership based on complementary inputs