Preliminary report of Tropals study — A survey of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Africa
Résumé
Background: Epidemiological studies of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in the tropics are rare and their methodologies, heterogeneous. Many questions arise as regards the characteristics of this disease in the tropics, especially in Africa.Objective: Describe sociodemographical and clinical characteristics of ALS patients diagnosed in Africa.Patients and methods/material and methods: TROPALS (http://www.tropals.unilim.fr/) is a multicentre observational cohort study. A shared methodology and an online data base that allows centers to collect data in a standardized and homogeneous way.Results: 40 patients have been included to date in 5 centers (Benin, Mauritania, Senegal, Togo, Tunisia), 3 other centers are open (Burkina Faso, Gabon, Mali) and 6 are about to be open.Mean age at diagnosis was 51.9 ± 13.5 years (2 cases less than 25 years), male/female sex ratio was 2.4.First symptoms were mostly spinal (72.5%) and 80% (n = 32/40) of patients had Electroneuromyography for diagnosis purpose. At this time mean ALS FRS R was 32.1 ± 10.5 and 75% of patients presented atypical symptoms (mostly dysautonomic or sphincter problems).After diagnosis, 97.4% of patients were prescribed an occidental treatment: Rilutek® (n = 12), physiotherapy (n = 17), or symptomatic treatment (n = 12). 21.6% of patients used a “traditional treatment” based on infusion-decoction for 2 of them and of unknown type for 6 patients.Conclusion: More inclusions are needed to produce precise estimations. Follow-up data are currently being collected. Tropals study will allow us to improve the description of ALS characteristic prognosis of patients and comprehension of the disease in this continent.