RETROSPECTIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY: Spectrum of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases in a Rheumatology Clinic in Nigeria: A Report of the First 5000 Patients

West Afr J Med. July 2025; 42(7): 590-596 PMID: 41378782

Abstract

Background and objectives: Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) are important causes of morbidity, disability, and mortality worldwide, including in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the spectrum of RMDs in this region has not been well documented due to a lack of data. This is particularly true since many of the diseases observed were previously considered rare among Africans. This study aims to identify the various RMDs seen in a private rheumatology facility in Lagos, Nigeria.

Method: The case records of the first 5,000 consecutive patients diagnosed with RMDs between January 2004 and May 2022 were reviewed. Diagnoses were made using standard rheumatology guidelines/consensus, societal guidelines, or clinical evaluation. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.

Results: The mean ± SD age of the 5,000 patients was 52.33 ± 16.15 years, with a female-to-male ratio of 1.7:1. The frequency of the common RMDs were degenerative joint diseases (54.16%), followed by inflammatory arthritis (14.52%), soft tissue rheumatism (13.28%) and connective tissue diseases (10.32%). Females were more commonly affected in all categories except crystal arthropathies and spondyloarthropathy. Septic arthritis, metabolic bone diseases, and orphan diseases were rarely seen, at 0.26%, 0.28%, and 0.82% of the total, respectively.

Conclusion: This study, which includes arguably the largest cohort of RMD patients in sub-Saharan Africa, revealed a wide spectrum of RMDs, contrary to previous assumptions that RMDs are rare among Africans. As this is a hospital-based study, large population-based studies are recommended to determine the burden of RMDs in the community to guide policy implementation and resource allocation.