Mycetoma Epidemiology and Clinical Findings in Mogadishu, Somalia

Background: Mycetoma is a public health problem with a high prevalence in Africa. Materials and Methods: The study included 50 cases presenting at a tertiary care research hospital, retrospectively (cases we visited and followed up between November 2022 and March 2023) and prospectively between 1 August and 30 September 2024. Demographic characteristics, clinical features, physical examination findings, and diagnostic methods were reported. Results: Out of 50 patients, 76% were male and 24% were female. The mean age (mean ± SD) of all cases was 35.50 ± 15.14. The most affected occupational group was farmers (44%). All patients presented with complaints of swelling. Symptoms continued for > 1-5 years in about 30 percent of cases. The diagnosis was made by pathological biopsy in 62% of the cases. The lower extremities were most commonly affected (80%), and subcutaneous soft tissue and muscle involvement was also commonly encountered. Bone involvement was higher in eumycetoma cases as compared to actinomycetoma. Conclusion: The frequency of myçetoma cases, which can involve all parts of the lower extremities, was determined, especially in Somali farmers. Difficulties in diagnosis and follow-up were analyzed.