The Prevalence and Characteristics of Patients Diagnosed with Osteogenesis Imperfecta at the Zambia Italian Orthopedics Hospital Community Based Rehabilitation Project

Abstract

Introduction: Osteogenesis Imperfecta is a rare condition that can be very disabling. It is an inherited disease of the bones, which is characterized by fragility that causes affected individuals to have recurrent fractures that subsequently lead to pain, deformity and disability. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of Osteogenesis Imperfecta and identify the common deformities and treatment methods used in managing affected individuals at the Zambia Italian Orthopedics Hospital. Methods: This was a retrospective cross sectional survey. A data capture sheet was used to collect data from records and descriptive trend analysis was done in excel. Results: We identified 18 patients with Osteogenesis Imperfecta out of 8250. The age range was 1 to 17 years. Eighty-three percent (n=15) of these patients had deformities which included; bowed lower limbs, scoliosis and other related complications. All the patients underwent surgery at one point in time and received physiotherapy. Conclusion: The prevalence of Osteogenesis Imperfecta at the Zambia Italian Orthopaedics Hospital Community Based Rehabilitation Project is low. Surgery is the most commonly used method of treatment coupled with physiotherapy. Though uncommon, the condition is expensive to manage for both the institution and affected individuals’ families. This is as a result of repeated surgeries and prolonged physiotherapy.