Connective Tissue Diseases on the Elderly Population in Dakar Hospital Setting

Introduction: Immunosenescence contributes to the development of auto-antibodies. However, while the prevalence of some autoantibodies increases with age, the incidence of connective tissue diseases decreases with age. This study aims to determine the clinical and paraclinical characteristics of connective tissue diseases in the elderly population. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective and descriptive study, from March 2010 to March 2021, in the Internal Medicine Department of Aristide Le Dantec Hospital, including all the medical records of patients followed up for connective tissue disease and whose symptomatology began at an age greater than or equal to 65 years. Epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic and evolutionary data were collected from a pre-established survey form and then processed using SPSS software. Results: Overall, 22 cases were collected out of 275 seen on consultation. They involved 16 women and 6 men, aged between 65 and 85 years with a median of 70 years. The mean duration of the clinical picture was 15.7 months with extremes of 1 and 96 months. The clinical symptoms were joint pain in 21 patients associated with dry eye and mouth syndrome in seven cases and one patient underwent isolated dry eye and mouth syndrome. Joint involvement was deforming in 13 patients. Poor general condition was noted in 20 patients. Biology showed anemia in 14 patients, hyperleukocytosis (2 patients) and thrombocytosis (5 patients). The sedimentation rate (SR) was accelerated in 9 patients and the C-reactive protein (CRP) was positive in 12 patients. Immunology showed a positive Latex test (3 patients/6), Waaler-Rose reaction (8 patients/13), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) antibodies (11 patients/11), anti-nuclear antibodies (2 patients/4). Anti-extractable nuclear antigens (anti-ENA) antibody testing in 4 patients showed positive anti-U1RNP (1 case), anti-SSA and anti-SSB (1 case). Plain X-Rays of the hands, wrists and feet showed destructive lesions in 16 patients. The diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was set in 21 patients, one of which was associated with Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) and one with primary Sjogren’s syndrome. Treatment was based on prednisone (21 cases), methotrexate (17 patients), and hydroxychloroquine (9 patients). The evolution was remarkable in 10 patients. Conclusion: Autoimmune diseases in the elderly are uncommon compared to the young adult population. In our study, we only found cases of rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren’s syndrome. As the population ages, connective tissue diseases may be increasingly diagnosed.