Frequency and Clinical Presentation of Osteoarticular Complications of Sickle Cell Disease in Mbujimayi, DR Congo

Purpose: Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic disorder in the world. It is responsible for serious complications, including those affecting the locomotor system. This study aimed to determine the frequency of osteoarticular complications in sickle cell patients and describe their clinical presentation in Mbujimayi. Methods: this was a cross-sectional, descriptive and retrospective study, carried out in the surgery department of the General Hospital Bonzola, in the city of Mbujimayi, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We collected the records of 298 sickle cell patients, among whom 67 presented osteoarticular complications. Results: the frequency of osteoarticular complications was 22.5% in sickle cell patients in Mbujimayi. The majority of our patients were male (61.2%; sex ratio = 1.2) and their mean age was 17.0 ± 10.0 years. Pain was the most common reason for consultation (37.3%). Aseptic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (40.3%) and osteomyelitis (28.3%) were the most common complications. Unloading the limb by plaster cast immobilization (76.1%), associated with analgesics and/or antibiotic therapy (53.7%) were the most applied therapeutic methods in this study. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: this study shows that osteoarticular complications, represented by aseptic osteonecrosis of the femoral head and osteomyelitis, are very frequent in sickle cell patients in the city of Mbujimayi and their management remains a major daily challenge. These results are essential for the development of prevention and monitoring policies for these patients in our context.