Biermer’s Disease at the Donka National Hospital in Guinea<br/>—Epidemio-Clinical, Therapeutic and Evolutionary Aspect in the Internal Medicine Department

Abstract

Introduction: Biermer’s disease is an autoimmune disease characterized by a lack of absorption of vitamin B12 in connection with the production of antibodies (A) destroying the intrinsic factor (IF) which allows the absorption of vitamin B12 (cobalamin). These clinical manifestations are polymorphic and severe in our context. The objective of this work is to identify the epidemiological-clinical, therapeutic and evolutionary characteristics of Biermer’s disease in Guinean population. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective of patient files followed for Biermer’s disease at the internal medicine department of Donka National Hospital from January 2012 to December 2021. Results: Eight patients were included including 5 women and 3 men. The average age of the patients was 48 years old. The diagnostic delay was 3.6 years on average. All our patients had bioclinical anemia (8 cases, i.e. 100%) followed by epigastralgia in 4 cases (50%), neurological damage such as sensitive polyneuropathy in 3 cases (37.5%). Four patients had acquired melanoderma (50%). Hypovitaminosis B12 was found in 4 patients. The myelogram performed in three patients (37.5%) found medullary megaloblastosis. One patient had Hashimoto’s disease associated with Biermer’s disease in endoscopy, (FOGD) found fundica trophy on macroscopy in 4 cases (50%). Treatment consisted of B12 vitamin therapy in all cases with a favorable clinical and biological outcome. Conclusion: Biermer’s disease remains common in Africa and is characterized at a younger age in addition to the severity of clinical and biological manifestations. The care consists of taking vitamin B12 which remains accessible in our context.