Inflammatory Bowel Disease at The Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra
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Date
2008-03
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ghana Medical Journal
Abstract
Case files of patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
(IBD) managed by the author in the Medical Department
over the period 1997 – 2004 have been reviewed
to identify some features of the disease that
may aid improved diagnosis and management. The
findings indicate that IBD may not be rare in the country
and that there is usually a long delay in establishing
the diagnosis. It appears that, in Ghana, more males
than females are affected and that most are fifty years
of age or below. Malignant colonic change is uncommon
but there is a high default rate among the patients.
Five patients (29%) died. Cases managed in an Arab
country, between 1987 and 1996, have been compared.
In that group more female than male patients were affected
but the commonest age group affected was similar.
The diagnosis was similarly delayed but no deaths
were recorded as opposed to the Ghana patients. Since
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a potentially
treatable condition medical practitioners need increased
awareness to avoid undue delay in diagnosis.
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
Inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s colitis, erythema nodosum, pyoderma gangrenosum