Overview of Pancreatic Diseases at the Regional University Hospital Center of Ouahigouya

Introduction: Pancreatic pathology mainly includes inflammatory conditions (acute or chronic) and tumors (benign or malignant). In Africa, the diagnosis of pancreatic diseases remains challenging and often overshadowed by hepatobiliary and other digestive disorders, due to various factors. This study was conducted to provide an overview of these conditions at the Regional University Hospital Center of Ouahigouya (CHUR/OHG). Methodology: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted over a 10-year period (from January 1th, 2014, to December 31th, 2023), using a retrospective data collection approach. All patients admitted to the Hepato-Gastroenterology and General Surgery departments of CHUR/ OHG with a confirmed diagnosis of pancreatic disease were included. Endocrine pancreatic conditions were excluded from the study. Results: The study population consisted of 33 patients, representing 0.33% of total admissions. The average age was 58.6 years, with the 50–60-year age group accounting for 30% of the cohort. The sex ratio was 3.12, with 25 men and 8 women. The average time to consultation was 3.8 months. The majority of patients (72.7%) came from rural areas. Asthenia (94%), abdominal pain (88%), weight loss (84%), and jaundice (82%) were the most common presenting symptoms. On physical examination, an enlarged gallbladder was noted in 72.7% of cases, and an abdominal mass in 63.6%. Malignant pancreatic tumors were suspected in 23 patients (70%), chronic pancreatitis in 15%, acute pancreatitis in 12%, and benign-like lesions in 9%. Surgical management involved biliodigestive bypass procedures in 5 patients, accounting for 21% of those with malignant pancreatic lesions. Conclusion: Pancreatic conditions appear to be rare and are often diagnosed late in our clinical setting, with malignant tumor-like lesions being predominant. Management is primarily symptomatic, focusing on palliative care.