Adiponectin, in contrast to leptin, is not associated with body mass index, waist circumference and HOMA-IR in subjects of a west-African population

Factors associated with plasma levels of adiponectin and leptin were studied in adult subjects without diabetes from Cotonou in Benin (West-Africa). Seventy (70) men and 45 women were included in the study. Anthropometric variables were measured and a venous blood sample was drawn from each subject, after an overnight fasting period, for measurement of plasma glucose, insulin, leptin, and adiponectin levels. HOMA-IR was determined to assess insulin resistance. Adiponectin and leptin levels were higher in women than in men (with adiponectin 18.48 ± 12.77 vs.7.8 ± 10.39 μg/mL, P < 0.0001, and leptin 30.77 ± 19.16 vs. 8.66 ± 8.24 ng/mL, P < 0.0001). Fasting insulin level and HOMA-IR were also higher in the females. Hyperleptinemia was observed in 66,96% of subjects and hypoadiponectinemia was present in 44.35% of subjects. In both men and women, leptin correlated with age (r = 0.2; P = 0.02), BMI (r = 0.572; P < 0.0001), waist circumference (r = 0.534; P < 0.0001), fasting insulin (r = 0.461; P < 0.001), and HOMA-IR (r = 0.430; P < 0.0001). No significant correlation was observed for adiponectin levels with these variables. Only in women, adiponectin was inversely correlated with fasting glucose (r = -0.423; P < 0.004). These data confirm previous descriptions of leptin but suggest that variations in factors determining serum adiponectin levels observed between ethnicities could also been seen between populations from the same ethnicity.

Glucose Tolerance in Non-Diabetic Adult Subjects of an Urban West-African Population

The present study was carried out to determine glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in adult subjects of a west African population. 103 subjects recruited in the town of Cotonou were included in the study. After anthropometric measurement, they were subjected to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Serum glucose and insulin levels were determined throughout the OGTT. Homeostatic model of assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), MATSUDA insulin sensitivity index (MATSUDA-ISI) and insulinogenic index (IGI) have been determined to evaluate insulin sensitivity and beta cells function. Normal glucose tolerance (NGT), isolated impaired fasting glucose (IFG), isolated impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and combined glucose intolerance (CGI) were observed in respectively 53.40%, 1.94%, 35.92% and 8.74% of subjects. The prevalence of IFG and or IGT (IFG/IGT) was higher in obese subjects (66.67%) than in subjects with normal BMI (41.17%). Fasting hyperinsulinemia was observed in 82% of subjects. Mean values of HOMA-IR were not significantly different in NGT (6.86 ± 0.7) and in IFG/IGT subjects (7.47 ± 0.57). In contrast to HOMA-IR, mean value of Matsuda-ISI was significantly lower in IFG/IGT than in NGT subjects (1.47 ± 0.1 versus 1.96 ± 0.13, p<0.01). Matsuda-ISI values were also significantly lower in obese subjects (1.33 ± 0.12) than in subjects with normal BMI (1.93 ± 0.13). The mean insulinogenic index value in IFG/IGT subjects (42.5 ± 4.36) was not significantly different of that in NGT subjects (50.3 ± 5.21). These data show that the glucose tolerance disorders observed in subjects of the present study are more related to a decrease in insulin sensitivity than to an alteration of the beta cells function.

[Perceptions and practices of people with diabetes to diabetes mellitus at the Centre National University Hospital Hubert Maga Koutoucou Cotonou]

OBJECTIVES

The study was initiated to assess patient knowledge about diabetes mellitus, identify food claims and finally to identify the daily practices.

MATERIEL AND METHODS

The study was sectional and descriptive. The study population consists of diabetic seen in CNHU-HKM the outpatient Cotonou. Data collection is done by a questionnaire.

RESULTS

Deficiencies were noted in knowledge of patients on diabetes mellitus.Several allegations have been identified. Patients think that the diabetic should not eat fruits, rice or corn dough. The practice of physical activity is low. Difficulties were encountered preventing compliance with diet, the practice of physical activity and glycemic control.

CONCLUSION

Of challenges remain to improve the knowledge, attitudes and practices of patients. Therapeutic education is necessary for all diabetics.

Constraints in the neurosurgical management of pituitary tumours in an African developing country: a 5-year observational study from Benin Republic

INTRODUCTION

Benin Republic, a very low-income-sub- Saharan African developing country, has a severely resource-constrained health system. There is hardly any data available on the pattern of pituitary tumour in this country METHODS: A single surgeon, hospital-based retrospective analysis of the pattern, presentation and clinical / surgical course of7a prospective cohort of pituitary tumours seen over a 5-year period is presented RESULTS: There were 38 cases, 20 (52.6%) female; 27% of all brain tumours seen. They were macroadenomas in 97. 4%, and greater than 4cm in 63.2%. They occurred mainly (86.8%) in people aged 15 to 59 years. Delayed neurosurgical presentation, mean 5.16years (range 1-23years) was the rule in 94.7%%; and, visual and endocrinological dysfunction the two most prominent symptomatology. Due to severe logistic constraints, neuroimaging evaluation was possible with cranial CT only in about 90% of the cases. Also only 9 cases (23.7%) did eventually receive the planned neurosurgical operative treatment, in 5 cases of which even this surgical treatment Was only facilitated by some foreign neurosurgical missions.

CONCLUSIONS

Pituitary adenomas represent a sizeable proportion of brain tumours in Benin Republic. National health care resources in this low income African country for their optimal clinical / radiological evaluation, and surgical treatment, are grossly inadequate; indeed, almost non-existent.

[Means of communication for an early detection of diabetic nephropathy among the diabetics followed in the academic hospital of Cotonou]

The purpose of this study is to determine the level of knowledge and the means of communication for early detection of diabetic nephropathy. This is a prospective study which took place from 6 February to 31 May 2012, in the Academic Clinics of Nephrology-Hemodialysis and the Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases. Included all patients with diabetes mellitus in two sexes, older than fifteen years and hospitalized in one of these two clinicals or received in consultation during the study period. A questionnaire is used for data collection. Statistical analysis was performed by STATA 11(®) in its English version. One hundred and sixty patients were enrolled. More than 4 out of 5 patients had reported knowledge of diabetes mellitus while only 26.67% had acknowledged that manifests itself by high glycemia. More than half of the patients (57.50%) had said that diabetes mellitus can be complicated by renal impairment. Three out of four diabetics (75.63%) didn't know that it is possible to make an early diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy. The radio and television broadcasts, and sensitizations during medical consultations represented the best means of communication for early detection of diabetic nephropathy. The combination of several means of communication will raise awareness on early detection of diabetic nephropathy.

Prevalence of hypertension and associated risk factors in Benin

BACKGROUND

Hypertension is one of the main risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. There has been a lack of data on this risk factor in the general population in Benin. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypertension and identify the associated risk factors in Benin.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to August 2008 in Benin's 12 departments. The questionnaire and anthropometric measurements of the World Health Organization STEPWISE survey were used. The sample included 6853 subjects 25-64 years of age, randomly selected by five-stage random sampling. Blood pressure was measured using standard procedures. Data was processed and analyzed using EPI DATA and STATA 9.2 software. Prevalence levels were compared using Pearson's chi(2) and means with the Student t-test. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis, taking the sampling method into account, was used to identify risk factors.

RESULTS

The sample comprised 49.5% females, the 25- to 34-year-old age group was the largest, and the mean age was 42.7±12.4 years. The prevalence of hypertension was 27.9% [95% CI: 26.3-29.5%], 77.5% of the subjects were unaware of their high blood pressure, and 81.6% had not taken their drugs two weeks before the survey. Prevalence of known hypertension was 6.9%, prevalence of treated hypertension 4.8%, and prevalence of controlled hypertension 1.9%. Age and obesity were significantly associated with hypertension. Department and profession were not associated with hypertension.

CONCLUSION

This study showed a high prevalence of hypertension in the general population in Benin. Better management of this risk factor will contribute to reducing morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular diseases.

Growth factor concentrations and their placental mRNA expression are modulated in gestational diabetes mellitus: possible interactions with macrosomia

Background

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. GDM is a well known risk factor for foetal overgrowth, termed macrosomia which is influenced by maternal hypergycemia and endocrine status through placental circulation. The study was undertaken to investigate the implication of growth factors and their receptors in GDM and macrosomia, and to discuss the role of the materno-foeto-placental axis in the in-utero regulation of foetal growth.

Methods

30 women with GDM and their 30 macrosomic babies (4.75 ± 0.15 kg), and 30 healthy age-matched pregnant women and their 30 newborns (3.50 ± 0.10 kg) were recruited in the present study. Serum concentrations of GH and growth factors, i.e., IGF-I, IGF-BP3, FGF-2, EGF and PDGF-B were determined by ELISA. The expression of mRNA encoding for GH, IGF-I, IGF-BP3, FGF-2, PDGF-B and EGF, and their receptors, i.e., GHR, IGF-IR, FGF-2R, EGFR and PDGFR-β were quantified by using RT-qPCR.

Results

The serum concentrations of IGF-I, IGF-BP3, EGF, FGF-2 and PDGF-B were higher in GDM women and their macrosomic babies as compared to their respective controls. The placental mRNA expression of the growth factors was either upregulated (FGF-2 or PDGF-B) or remained unaltered (IGF-I and EGF) in the placenta of GDM women. The mRNA expression of three growth factor receptors, i.e., IGF-IR, EGFR and PDGFR-β, was upregulated in the placenta of GDM women. Interestingly, serum concentrations of GH were downregulated in the GDM women and their macrosomic offspring. Besides, the expression of mRNAs encoding for GHR was higher, but that encoding for GH was lower, in the placenta of GDM women than control women.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that growth factors might be implicated in GDM and, in part, in the pathology of macrosomia via materno-foeto-placental axis.

[Morbidity of diabetic foot in Internal Medicine CNHU HKM, Cotonou]

The diabetes and its complications appear increasingly frequent in our medical practice. We fixed ourselves for objectives to determine the frequency of the foot diabetic in Internal Medicine at Cotonou, to count the factors etiopathogenic responsible for the lesions and to describe the clinical aspects of the lesions. We carried out a retrospective study on the 420 diabetics hospitalized of January 1, 1995 to December 31, 1999. The frequency of the foot diabetic was 16.66%, the average age of the patients 60 years and the sex ratio 2.04. The diabetes of the type 2 was most frequent (71.4%). The traumatisms were the supporting factors most often found (32.86%). The lesions were in majority (38.57%) at the stage V of the classification of Wagner. On the therapeutic level, the amputations were frequent (20%) especially the amputations of legs. The installation of medical team of education for the assumption of responsibility of the diabetes and the prevention of the complications appears essential.

Antioxidant status in alcohol-related diabetes mellitus in Beninese subjects

In the present study, we investigated the antioxidant status in diabetes mellitus, related or not to alcohol consumption. A total of 38 type 1, 48 type 2 and 42 alcohol-related diabetic patients were selected. Total antioxidant status was assessed through the oxygen radical absorbance capacity of the plasma and the determination of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant molecules. Serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol concentrations were determined and the lipid peroxydation was evaluated by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay. Plasma total antioxidant capacity was more decreased in alcohol-related diabetes than that in type 1 and type 2 diabetes, regardless of the complications (retinopathy and renal failure). Plasma vitamin E concentrations were significantly decreased whereas those of vitamin C increased in all of the diabetic patients compared to the controls, irrespective to the complications. In addition, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities were reduced in all the patients (type 1, type 2 and alcohol-related), irrespective to the complications. Glutathione reductase activity was diminished in type 1 and alcohol-related, but not in type 2, diabetic patients. Glutathione (GSH) concentrations significantly decreased in all diabetic patients with a significant decrease in alcohol-related diabetic patients. Excessive alcohol consumption appears as an oxidative aggravating factor in diabetes mellitus. Besides, alcohol-related diabetes highly resembles to type 1 diabetes as far as the antioxidant parameters are concerned.

[Epidemiology of chronic obstructive arterial disease of the lower limbs and diabetic patients at the University Hospital of Cotonou (Benin)]

The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of chronic obstructive arterial disease of the lower limbs and to identify the factors which contribute to its occurrence in a population of adult African francophone diabetics. This was a prospective study which included all consenting diabetics systematically over a 6 month period at the out patient clinic or during hospital admission. Patients with incomplete data were excluded. An ankle systolic pressure index of less than 0.9 was required for the diagnosis of obstructive arterial disease. Demographic parameters, the characteristics of the diabetes, the quality of blood sugar control, the presence of classical cardiovascular risk factors and the results of their treatment, the nature and distribution of the arterial lesions on ultrasonography were all studied. A univariate analysis and a multivariate analysis of their correspondences were undertaken to determine the correlation coefficients. The prevalence of arterial disease of the lower limbs in the 102 diabetics retained for the study (average age 53 years) was 33.3%. The arterial disease was distal in 47% of cases and diffuse in 26.5% of cases. The arterial wall was calcified in 19.6% of cases. In univariate analysis only age was correlated with arterial disease (p = 0.04), the duration of diabetes tended to be related (p = 0.07). In multi-factorial analysis of Correspondences with other factors, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and multiple cardiovascular risk factors seemed to be correlated with arterial disease of the lower limbs. Therefore, arterial disease of the lower limbs is very common and an early complication of diabetic patients in Benin. Predisposing factors were age and, probably, duration of diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and multiple cardiovascular risk factors.

Post-partum recurrent sarcoidosis associated with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Immunologic abnormalities observed in sarcoidosis may suggest a link between this affection and autoimmune endocrine diseases. Indeed a high frequency of autoimmune thyroïd diseases is observed in sarcoidosis. However association of type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus with sarcoidosis is rare. We report the case of a type 1 diabetic woman in whom clinical and biological signs of sarcoidosis appeared after her first pregnancy with a relapse in the post-partum period of a second pregnancy. Diagnosis of sarcoidosis was established on characteristic cutaneous, articular and pulmonary manifestations associated with elevated plasma levels of angiotensin converting enzyme. From this case, association between type 1 diabetes mellitus and sarcoidosis has been discussed as well as reciprocal relationship between sarcoidosis and pregnancy. Since familial history of sarcoidosis was present in this case, familial aspects of sarcoidosis have also been reviewed.

[Influence of maternal weight on pregnancy outcome in Cotonou (Benin)]

To evaluate prevalence of obesity in pregnant women in Cotonou and to study the influence of obesity on pregnancy outcome, we analysed retrospectively obstetrical reports of 323 women delivered at the university clinic of gynecology and obstetrics during the year 1999. Prevalence of obesity was 18% among pregnant women and 30.6% of them were overweight. Medical complications of pregnancy were more frequent in obese women than in women with normal weight since obese women showed higher frequency of proteinuria (241% versus 10,5%, p<0.05) and high blood pressure (25.9% versus 4.5%, p<0.001). Diabetes mellitus was only present in obese women with a frequency of 5,2%. Compared with normal weight women, the obese ones showed a tendency to higher frequency of cesarean delivery (34.5% versus 21%), this difference being not statistically significant. Although there was a slightly higher number of reanimated infants in obese women, the difference was not significant. Six percent hypotrophic infants were observed in obese mothers versus 13.1% in mothers with normal weight (non significant) but it can be noticed that lean mothers showed statistically higher frequency of hypotrophic infants than normal weight mothers (33.3% versus 13.1%, p<0.01). This study shows that obesity in women represents, even in developing country, an obstetrical risk factor leading to high frequency of complications during pregnancy and needs the development of preventive actions.

[Malt lymphoma of the thyroid and Graves'disease]

Maltoma of the thyroid associated to Graves'disease is not such a frequently described association. We report a case of Maltoma of the thyroid gland in a patient with Grave's disease. The diagnosis was established by histological examination after total thyroidectomy. Slow enlargement of the thyroid gland despite a clinically successful antithyroid drug therapy could be considered as an advocating clinical manifestation. Associated anti-neoplastic chemotherapy and cervical irradiation resulted in good outcome with six years follow-up. A review is presented on treatment and prognosis of these tumors.

[Hypothyroidism: clinical and etiological aspects in Cotonou (Republic of Benin)]

To evaluate the frequency of clinical manifestations and to study the etiological aspects of hypothyroidism in hypothyroid patients in Cotonou, we carried out a retrospective analysis of the medical reports on hypothyroid patients followed in our clinical practice. A total of 33 patients was thus studied, comprising 8 men (24%) and 25 women (76%) with mean age of 45,8 years for men and 40,4 years for women. The more frequent clinical manifestations observed were: face edema (45%), weight gain (45%), paresthesia (42%), fatigue (39%), lethargy (30%) and bradycardia (24%). Constipation (12%), sensation of cold (9%), depilation (6%) and dry skin (6%) were less frequently observed. Myalgia, hoarseness and menstrual irregularities were present in 15% of the cases respectively. Regarding the etiology, 82% of the cases were primary hypothyroidism and only 18% were of central origin. Thyroidectomy was the leading cause in our hypothyroid patients, representing 70% of all cases and 85% of primary hypothyroidism. Radioiodine treatment and autoimmune thyroiditis were equally found in 6% of the cases. Central hypothyroidism was related to a pituitary adenoma in four cases (12%) and to Sheehan syndrome in two cases (6%). As it can be expected, hypercholesterolemia was present in 82% of the patients but creatine phosphokinase elevation was more frequent (94% of the patients). Compared to the data reported in the literature, the frequency of the symptoms and signs of hypothyroidism seems to be underevaluated in our study and the frequency of autoimmune thyroiditis as a cause of hypothyroidism is low.

[Diabetic nephropathy: an epidemiological study based on proteinuria in a population of black African diabetics in Cotonou, Benin]

We evaluated proteinuria to determine the frequency of diabetic nephropathy and to study epidemiological aspects of this disease. We measured 24-hour urinary protein excretion in 152 diabetic patients. We recorded the age and sex of each patient, the duration of diabetes and blood glucose concentration. Proteinuria was diagnosed in 28% of the diabetic patients. The frequency of proteinuria was higher in men (33%) than in women (19%). The highest frequency (37.5%) was observed in subjects aged 70 years or over. In these patients, the higher frequency of proteinuria was associated with a longer duration of diabetes. However, proteinuria was detected in 28% of patients with diabetes diagnosed less than one year previously, suggesting a long period of undiagnosed diabetes in these subjects. Finally, proteinuria was more frequent in patients treated with insulin (42%) than in those treated orally (25%). Thus, diabetic nephropathy is a frequent complication in black diabetic patients in Cotonou. As hemodialysis and kidney transplantation are very expensive and access to these treatments is limited in developing countries, preventive measures based on optimizing patient management and the early diagnosis of diabetes and its complications are required.

[Digestive carcinoid tumors: often undiagnosed endocrine tumors (a case report)]

The authors reported a case of a carcinoid tumor of the ileum with nodal metastasis. Diagnosis was made by histological examination of the tumor after its removal. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated the presence of serotonin, synaptophysin, chromogranin and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in the tumor cells. The patient was followed up for 15 months. Tumor ablation resulted in the total cessation of bronchospastic episodes in the patient, suggesting that these symptoms were mediated by tumor secretion. We also present a review of the literature concerning clinical, paraclinical and treatment aspects of gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors.