ObjectiveTo scope and summarise available literature on the outcomes of pregnancy and associated factors in sub-Saharan African women with SLE.MethodsElectronic databases and reference lists of retrieved articles were searched to identify relevant studies published from 1 January 2000 to 28 October 2019. Data were combined through narrative synthesis.ResultsWe included four studies retrospectively reporting a total of 137 pregnancies in 102 women over a 26-year period. Mean age at conception ranged from 27.2 to 39.9 years. Kidney damage, the predominant organ manifestation before conception, was reported in 43 (42.2%) patients. Ninety-seven (70.8%) pregnancies resulted in 98 live births. SLE flares occurred in 44 (32.2%) pregnancies, mainly skin (20.4%) and renal (18.2%) flares. Major adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) were preterm birth 38.8%, low birth weight 29.8%, pregnancy loss 29.2% and pre-eclampsia 24.8%. The main factors associated with APOs were nephritis and SLE flares.ConclusionOver two-thirds of pregnancies resulted in live birth in this cohort of sub-Saharan African women with SLE. The main APOs and associated factors described in other parts of the world are also seen in this region, but with high rates of APOs. A large prospective multinational study is warranted for more compelling evidence.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the severity of acne and the impact on the quality of life (QoL) of patients undergoing anti-acne treatment. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from January to April 2017 at three hospitals in Yaoundé. Patients suffering from acne and under treatment were consecutively included. Clinical severity and QoL were assessed with the ECLA and CADI scales, respectively. Data was analyzed with SPSS 23.0. We employed the ANOVA test and linear regression to search for associations between variables. The significance level was at 5%. Results: We recruited 113 patients, predominantly female (83%), with a mean age of 26.0 ± 6.4 years. Mild-to-moderate forms were predominant (74%). The mean ECLA score was 10.1 ± 4.6, with a majority of the participants 74.3% (84/113) having mild-to-moderate acne, while 25.7% (29/113) had severe acne. The majority of the patients found the treatment expensive (69%). Therapeutic education had been conducted in 46.9% of the patients, and 60.2% of them reported a relapse during treatment. An impairment in QoL was found in 99% of the patients. The mean global QoL score was 6.3 ± 3.4. The impairment in QoL was positively correlated with clinical severity (r = 0.40; p = 0.003). Conclusion: The study revealed a predominance of mild-to-moderate forms of acne, an alteration in the QoL of almost all patients studied, and a positive correlation between the clinical severity of acne and the impairment in QoL. Key words: Acne; Clinical severity; Quality of life; Treatment; Cameroon; Sub-Saharan Africa

Background: Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous follicle. The aim of this study was to assess the level of adherence to acne treatment and to identify factors associated with adherence to therapy in patients with acne. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional study conducted from January to April 2017 in three hospitals in Yaoundé. We included patients followed for acne for at least one month. The sampling was consecutive and exhaustive. Adherence to treatment was assessed according to the Morisky score. Data was analyzed with Microsoft Excel 2013 and the SPSS software, version 23. We employed the ANOVA test to find associations between the different variables. p values below 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 113 patients were selected, with a mean age of 26.0 ? 6.4 years. The mean Morisky score was 5.6 ? 1.9. Adherence to treatment was low, medium, and high in 58 (51%), 31 (28%), and 24 (21%) patients, respectively. The factors associated with low adherence were the presence of relapses, a psychological history, the number of previous treatments above two, and the duration of treatment above three months. Conclusion: Adherence to acne treatment was low in over half of the patients. In our context, the presence of relapse, a psychological history, the number of previous treatments above two, and the duration of treatment above three months were associated with low adherence to therapy.

Bart's syndrome consists of congenital aplasia of the skin affecting only the lower limbs, associated with bullae over the skin and/or mucous membranes, as well as a nail anomaly. It is an extremely rare genetic disorder, which can be associated with other birth defects. We report the case of a newborn baby admitted at day 0 of life in the neonatal department, for multifocal skin detachment predominantly at the lower limbs. In addition, examination of the external genitalia revealed a clitoridomegaly genital bud measuring 14 mm, scrotalized and unfused genital bulges with the presence of 2 orifices. No gonad was palpated. The clinical diagnosis of Bart's syndrome associated with a disorder of sexual differentiation was retained. We hereby report the first case of Bart's syndrome described in Cameroon in association with a disorder of sexual differentiation.

Background Hair is valued by all individuals especially women. The perception of beauty is specific to everyone. In order to fulfil their ideal beauty, women use various methods to modify their hair's appearance. Afro hair is particularly fragile, so using these methods can be particularly deleterious for black women's hair. Objectives Describe hair care practices of women living in Yaoundé, determine the prevalence of traction alopecia (TA) and describe its clinical profile. Methods We carried out a cross‐sectional study in hairdressing saloon in Yaoundé. A questionnaire was administered and scalp exams were performed to determine Marginal TA severity score. Results We included 223 women with a mean age of 24.9 ± 7 years. The prevalence of TA was 34.5%. Mild and moderate stages were most represented. As far as haircare is concerned, extensions were regularly used by 95.1% of participants. Wigs were regularly worn by 58.7% of participants. Chemical hair straightening was done by 87.9% of women and was performed twice to thrice a year by 43.9%. Almost 76% of women used hair straightener and hair dryer. Hair washing was done monthly by 43.8% of participants and the main cosmetic used was shampoo (75.3%). Conclusion Traction alopecia is a very common disease in women living in Yaoundé. Extensions, wigs and shampooing are their main hair care practices.

Genital ulceration is the loss of integrity of the mucous membranes (or genital skin) leaving the dermis uncovered and almost always accompanied by satellite lymphadenopathies. Beyond a month of evolution, it is said to be chronic. Sexually transmitted diseases are infections due to microbial agents among which parasites, bacteria, viruses and fungi that can be associated with each other to varying degrees. Sexually transmitted infections must be mentioned before any genital ulceration. Hence the interest of the case that we report of chronic anogenital ulcerations complicating a polymicrobial pelvic infection in a patient immunocompromised to HIV. The physical examination reveals a hypogastric sensitivity to deep palpation, the presence of a superinfected anogenital ulceration exposing the deep dermis covered with purulent serosities interesting the labia minora, the posterior vaginal fork, the anal region, the clitoris and an extension of the lesions to the gluteal fold is observed. We found a satellite lymphadenopathy in the right inguinal fold. The screening finds the HIV1 positive serology with a viral load of 28,000 copies, the herpes simplex 1&2 and Chlamydia trachomatis serologies were all positive. The genital samples are marked by the presence of bacterial vaginosis with Candida Albicans and Gardnerella Vaginalis, the presence of urogenital mycoplasmas of the Ureaplasma Urealyticum The pelvic ultrasound was in favor of a bilateral adnexitis. A protocol was put in place: the first step consisted of seat baths, antifungi and antibiotics administration: fluconazole 150 mg and tinidazole 2 g in single doses, then josamycin 1 g/24h in two doses per os for two weeks.

In a descending order, aPL, multifetal gestation, lupus nephritis and nulliparity were associated with a higher LDA use, whereas the other risk factors were not. Preconception counselling significantly increased Aspirin administration [OR 2.36 (95%-CI: 1.23-4.63), p<0.01], especially in those at high risk [OR 4.12 (95%-CI 1.72-10.16), p<0.001]. Overall, LDA use increased from 1995 to 2019 (c 2 test for trend in proportions, p<0.001). Conclusions We found a high prevalence of pre-eclampsia risk factors and infrequent use of aspirin in pregnant SLE patients. Preconception counselling increases the LDA use and thereby can improve pregnancy outcomes.

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