[Not Available].

AIM

describe the epidemiological, clinical, etiological and therapeutic aspects of hypercalcemia seen in the rheumatology department of Cocody University Hospital.

METHODS

Descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in the rheumatology department of Cocody University Hospital from January 2013 to July 2022 and covering the files of patients with hypercalcemia.

RESULTS

The hospital frequency of hypercalcemia was 0.88%, or 60 cases out of 6771 hospitalizations during the study period. The workforce included 35 men and 25 women (M/F ratio=0.14), aged on average 56±11.52 years (range 25 and 80 years). The main reason for consultation related to the underlying disease was osteoarticular pain syndrome. The signs related to symptomatic hypercalcemia were digestive (23.33%), neurological (8.33%) and cardiovascular (5%). The main extra-articular signs were asthenia (90%) and weight loss (78.33%). On the biological level, there was a clear predominance of mild hypercalcemia (76.67%), followed by moderate hypercalcemia (10%) and severe hypercalcemia (13.33%). The etiologies were dominated by multiple myeloma (45%), followed by bone metastases (40%), granulomatosis (13.33%) and secondary hyperparathyroidism (1.67%). The molecules used for the treatment of hypercalcemia were corticosteroids and biophosphonates. The outcome was favorable in 18.33% of patients, and unspecified in 66.67% of cases due to the patient's transfer to another department. There were 9 deaths, or 15% of cases.

CONCLUSION

Hypercalcemia is rare and most often asymptomatic in rheumatological hospitalizations in Abidjan. Multiple myeloma is the main etiology.