Epidemiology and Risk Factors of Bacterial Dermohypodermatitis in Conakry (Guinea): A Series of 136 Cases

Abstract

Bacterial Dermohypodermatitis (DHB) brings together three entities of pathologies with an acute and decidedly serious course in the event of a delay in diagnosis. The prognosis depends on the location and appearance of the local lesion. The objective of our study was to describe the epidemiological aspects and identify the risk factors for bacterial dermohypodermatitis in the dermatology-venereology department of the Donka national hospital (Guinea). Patients and methods: Retrospective descriptive study covering the files of hospitalized patients over a period of 2 years (2019-2021) with at least one associated risk factor. Results: We identified 535 cases of bacterial dermohypodermitis, 136 of which had at least one associated risk factor, i.e. 25.4% of cases. A female predominance was noted at 51.5%. The average age of the patients was 49.4±15.2 years. The main risk factors found were the existence of a portal of entry 87,5%, followed by artificial depigmentation 39%, diabetes 27.9%, lymphedema 19.9%, venous insufficiency 7.3%, history of erysipelas 6.6% and obesity with 5.9%. The diagnoses found were necrotizing fasciitis 41.9% followed by erysipelas 39% and necrotizing bacterial dermohypodermatitis 19.1% of cases. Conclusion: The study showed a female predominance of bacterial dermohypodermatitis. The main risk factors were a portal of entry and artificial depigmentation. It remains a potentially serious pathology favored by the underlying terrain and necrotizing forms.