Etiologies of Hyperprolactinemia in Congolese Patients : A Cross‑Sectional Hospital Based Study in Brazzaville
Étiologies des Hyperprolactinémies chez les Patients Congolais : Une Étude Transversale Descriptive en Milieu Hospitalier à Brazzaville
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20315206Keywords:
Hyperprolactinemia, galactorrhea, prolactinoma, Brazzaville.Abstract
RÉSUMÉ
Introduction. Au Congo, l’hyperprolactinémie est fréquente en pratique endocrinologique, mais son profil étiologique est peu documenté. Ce travail avait ainsi pour but de déterminer les étiologies des hyperprolactinémies chez les patients congolais au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Brazzaville. Méthodes. Nous avons mené une étude descriptive transversale de septembre 2024 à février 2026 dans le service des Maladies métaboliques et endocriniennes. Nous avons inclus tous les patients âgés d’au moins 18 ans, de nationalité congolaise, suivis pour hyperprolactinémie (prolactine >20 ng/ml chez l’homme, >25 ng/ml chez la femme, confirmée par un second dosage). Nous avons exclu les femmes enceintes ou allaitantes, et les patients sans bilan étiologique. Nous avons recueilli les données sociodémographiques, cliniques, et paracliniques (IRM hypothalamo‑hypophysaire). L’analyse a été descriptive. Résultats. L’étude a inclus 83 patients (69 femmes, 83,1 % ; 14 hommes, 16,9 % ; sex‑ratio 0,2). L’âge moyen était de 33,9 ± 5,4 ans (extrêmes 20‑49). Les motifs de consultation dominants étaient le syndrome aménorrhée‑galactorrhée (50,6 %) et l’infertilité (24,1 %). La prolactinémie moyenne était de 145,2 ± 46,6 ng/ml. L’IRM, réalisée chez 62 patients, a objectivé un microadénome hypophysaire (67,7 %), un macroadénome (29,0 %) ou une IRM normale (3,2 %). Les étiologies étaient dominées par les prolactinomes (69,9 %, n=58), suivies des causes médicamenteuses (18,1 %), principalement neuroleptiques (60 %). Les prolactinomes intéressaient préférentiellement les femmes jeunes (82,8 % de femmes, âge moyen 33,8 ans), avec une prédominance de microadénomes (51,7 %). Conclusion. L’hyperprolactinémie à Brazzaville est majoritairement due à un prolactinome, touchant surtout les femmes jeunes, suivie des causes iatrogènes. L’IRM est indispensable pour le diagnostic étiologique.
ABSTRACT
Introduction. In Congo, hyperprolactinemia is common in endocrinology practice, but its etiological profile is poorly documented. We studied the etiologies of hyperprolactinemia in Congolese patients at the Brazzaville University Hospital. Methods. We conducted a descriptive cross‑sectional study from September 2024 to February 2026 in the Metabolic and Endocrine Diseases department. We included all patients aged ≥18 years, of Congolese nationality, followed for hyperprolactinemia (prolactin >20 ng/ml in men, >25 ng/ml in women, confirmed by a second assay). We excluded pregnant or breastfeeding women and patients without etiological workup. We collected sociodemographic, clinical, and paraclinical data (hypothalamic‑pituitary MRI). Analysis was descriptive. Results. We included 83 patients (69 women, 83.1%; 14 men, 16.9%; sex ratio 0.2). Mean age was 33.9 ± 5.4 years (range 20‑49). The main presenting symptoms were amenorrhea‑galactorrhea syndrome (50.6%) and infertility (24.1%). Mean prolactin level was 145.2 ± 46.6 ng/ml. MRI, performed in 62 patients, showed a pituitary microadenoma (67.7%), macroadenoma (29.0%), or normal MRI (3.2%). Etiologies were dominated by prolactinomas (69.9%, n=58), followed by drug‑induced causes (18.1%), mainly neuroleptics (60%). Prolactinomas predominantly affected young women (82.8% female, mean age 33.8 years), with a predominance of microadenomas (51.7%). Conclusion. Hyperprolactinemia in Brazzaville is mainly due to prolactinoma, affecting mostly young women, followed by iatrogenic causes. MRI is essential for etiological diagnosis.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Farel Elilié Mawa Ongoth, Nestor Ghislain Andzouana Mbamognoua, Raïssa Laure Myanda Ohouna, Aymande Okoumou-moko, Ornella Marline Yvonne Dinghat, Joèl Rudy Ekoundzola, Sévérin Nkoua Eloi, Rolly Louzolo Kimbembe, Sandra Syrielle Sala Apendi, Evariste Bouénizabila
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