Opinion/feedback

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a genetic disease characterized by bone fragility and low bone mass, rare disease (with an estimated prevalence of 1 per 10,000 to 20,000), and is responsible for fractures, long bone and vertebral deformities (spinal deformities). IOs are genetic and hereditary diseases, usually autosomal dominant, and are transmitted from generation to generation. In our country, Algeria, the rate of consanguinity is 38% to 40%, which results in an increase in “hereditary diseases”. On the other hand, therapists face difficulties with patient care, made worse by the lack of a prevention policy. Faced with this situation, we have set up a multidisciplinary consultation since 2009 to support these patients, the only one in the region, where we follow up 52 patients (2 to 24 years old). The MPR physician’s role in this team is essential in supporting the patients and their families as soon as the diagnosis is announce; through a simple therapeutic education program based on our working conditions and the specificities of our population. This experience helped improve the lives of these children and their entourage, waiting for the establishment of a genuine policy of prevention of hereditary diseases.