# Epidemiological and Clinical Profile of Fixed Pigmented Erythema at the Departmental University Hospital Center Borgou/Alibori (Benin)

## TL;DR

This study describes the occurrence and characteristics of fixed pigmented erythema, a skin reaction to drugs, at a hospital in Benin from 2009 to 2022.

## Contribution

The study provides a detailed epidemiological and clinical profile of fixed pigmented erythema in a specific hospital setting in Benin.

## Key findings

- Fixed pigmented erythema had a prevalence of 0.73% with male predominance.
- Cotrimoxazole was the most commonly associated drug, followed by paracetamol and quinine.
- Over half of the patients self-medicated, suggesting a link to the condition's prevalence.

## Abstract

Fixed pigmented erythema (FPE) is a common toxidermia characterized by the appearance of one or more annular, erythematous and hyperpigmented spots, following the systemic administration of a drug. The main aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical aspects of fixed pigmented erythema at the Departmental University Hospital Center Borgou/Alibori (DUHC‐B/A) from 2009 to 2022.

This was a descriptive cross‐sectional study with retrospective data collection, based on the records of patients seen in the Dermatology‐Venerology Unit for FPE. Initially, all files bearing the diagnosis of toxidermia were identified; then, those with the diagnosis of FPE with usable data were retained. Data were entered using EpiData 3.1 and analyzed using EpiData Analysis.

Sixty‐four patients were enrolled during the study period. The prevalence of FPE was 0.73%, with a male predominance. The most common drug identified was cotrimoxazole, followed by paracetamol and quinine. Over half of the patients (52.9%) were self‐medicating.

Although FPE occurs rarely, it remains the most frequent toxidermia at the DUHC‐B/A. It can be severe in its generalized bullous form. Avoiding the practice of self‐medication could help reduce its prevalence.