RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this report is to describe epidemiologic features of arthrosic and degenerative disorders observed during the first two years of rheumatologic practice in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The files of all patients examined between March 2006 to February 2008 were reviewed. All patients presenting arthrosic or degenerative disorders were included. RESULTS: Out of 1,439 patients examined during the study period, 1,078 (74.91%) were included. Spine pain accounted for 33.7% of cases, i.e., 485 patients including 306 with lumbago. The mean age in this group was 47.8 +/- 15.19 years and the M/F sex ratio was 0,75. Osteoarthritis represented 20.43% of cases including osteoarthritis of the knee in 18%. The mean age in this group was 54.66 +/- 12.29 years and the M/F sex ratio was 0.23. Aseptic osteonecrosis (AON) of the femoral head was observed in 1.11% of cases, i.e. 16 patients including 8 with sickle cell disease (SC) The mean age in this group was 40.75 years. Abarticular rheumatism accounted for 15.98% of cases, i.e. 230 patients including 118 cases with tendinitis of the shoulder. The mean age in this group was 48.48 years. CONCLUSION: Arthrosic and degenerative disorders observed in this series from Ouagadougou presented the same semiological features as in other African series. Primary osteoarthritis of the hip was uncommon.