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Medication prior to rheumatology consultation in a Togolese Teaching Hospital


V. E. S. Koffi-Tessio
P. Houzou
K. Kakpovi
C. Dohou
K. C Tagbor
E. Fianyo
S. Oniankitan
A. Atake
O. Oniankitan
M. Mijiyawa

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency and nature of the medication prior to specialized consultation in rheumatic patients.


Design: This was a cross- sectional study of patients admitted for the first time for rheumatology consultation at CHU-SO in Lomé, Togo.
Methods: The data relating to the medication prior to the consultation were collected by questioning. The diagnosis of the conditions covered by the consultation was based on clinical and para-clinical examinations.


Results: Two hundred and eleven patients (151 women and 60 men) with a mean age of 49 years were included in the study. Forty-five patients (21%) were covered by health insurance because of their status as state employees, unlike the other 166 (79%) working in the informal sector. Spinal degenerative pathology (76%), knee osteoarthritis (20%) and tendinitis (10%) were the main diseases observed. One hundred and ninety- five patients(92%) were on medication prior to the rheumatology consultation. Non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs (118 cases, 75%) and analgesics (93 cases, 59%) were the most common therapeutic classes that were used. Self-medication was observed in 141 patients (67%) at all levels of education combined. Eighty- four of the 141patients(60%) have used street drugs, and 98 of them (70%) were oriented by word of mouth. General medical practitioners (25%) and medical assistants (19%) were the main prescribers before the rheumatology consultation. Epigastric pain (16 cases) was the main side effect observed. One hundred and forty- four patients (66%) had no idea of the risks of self-medication, added to lack of money by 122 (87%) patients and lack of knowledge of rheumatology by 67 (48%) patients.


Conclusion: Self-medication, the frequency of which is known all over the world, is more notable in Africa and in rheumatic diseases where pain is the main symptom and its relief is one of the criteria for evaluating the effect of any therapy.


Key words: Self-medication, Rheumatology, Togo, Africa


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print ISSN: 2307-2482