Diallo M, Diadie S, Diatta BA, Diop A, Ndiaye MT, Ndiaye M, Seck B, Deh A, Diop K and Ly F
Introduction: Studies on erythroderma in adults are rare. The aim of this study is to specify the epidemiological and etiological characteristics of acquired erythroderma in adults in Dakar.
Patients and Methodology: This was a retrospective study based on the records of patients aged over 16 years admitted for erythroderma in the Department of Dermatology of Dakar University Hospital over a period of 10 years.
Results and Discussion: We collected 180 cases of adult’s erythroderma corresponding to a hospital prevalence of 18 cases /year. Erythroderma represented 0.2% of all medical visits and 4.22% of admissions in our department. The mean age of patients was 45 years with a sex-ratio of 1:54. Erythroderma was in the majority, secondary to a complication of preexisting dermatoses, with eczema leading the list. The main factors leading to the exacerbation resulting in erythroderma were HIV infection and the intake of an inappropriate drug, mostly traditional plants.
Conclusion: Erythroderma is a particularly frequent condition in our regions, where it is mostly caused by the exacerbation of prexisting dermatoses, often due to unsuitable treatments, such as medicinal plants.