Background:
The real incidence of Kawasaki disease (KD) in the Maghreb countries (Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia) is unknown. It is estimated low according to the literature. However, the number of Maghrebi children living in Quebec (Qc) affected by KD seems important. We sought to determine the incidence of KD among Maghrebi children in Qc, Canada, and to study its epidemiological and clinical features and to clarify possible risk factors related or superimposed to their immigration.
Methods:
A retrospective study of KD in Maghrebi children living in Qc (n=24) (1996-2013), compared to reports from Fes, Morocco (n=23) a doctoral thesis published in 2010 (2001-2009) and from Tunisia (n=31) collected in five university hospitals with four from the Great Tunis and one from Nabeul city (1996-2013). There are no reports available from Algeria. The “country of origin” specific population in the Province of Qc was obtained from Statistics Canada.
Results:
The annualized incidence rate (AIR) of KD among Maghrebi children in Qc was 9.58/100,000 children under 5 years(Standard-Denominator (SD)).This is 6 times higher in Qc (5.57/SD and 19.02/SD among Tunisian and Moroccan descents) vs Tunisia (Nabeul Governorate) and Morocco (Fes) (0.95/SD and 3.15/SD). Personal and family history of allergy were significantly higher in Qc 42% (10/24) and 75% (18/24), respectively, whereas these features were reported near 0% in both reports from Morocco and Tunisia. The prevalence of incomplete KD criteria was relatively high in the 3 series 46% (11/24) in Qc vs 43% (10/23) and 35% (11/31); (p=NS). Diagnosis was late (gt day 10 of fever) in 1/24(4%) in Qc vs 7/23 (30%) in Morocco and 11/31 (35%) in Tunisia; (p 0.01). IVIG were administered in the acute phase to all patients in Qc, 5/23 in Morocco and 28/31 in Tunisia. However coronary complications were more common in Qc 42% (10/24) vs 22% (5/23) vs 19% (6/31) (p=0.02). Aneurysms were significantly associated with the incomplete form in the 3 groups (p=0.01).
Conclusions:
The observed AIR of KD in the Maghreb community in Qc is higher than the countries of origin where underdiagnosis is possible. Atopy may still be a risk factor in Qc. The coronary artery disease seems linked not only to therapeutic delay but also to the underlying terrain.
DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF THE REACTION AT THE BACILLUS CALMETTE-GUÉRIN VACCINATION SITE IN KAWASAKI DISEASE
