Chronic heart failure, selected risk factors and co-morbidities among adults treated for hypertension in a cardiac referral hospital in Cameroon.
BACKGROUND
Information on clinical characteristics of heart failure (HF) among Africans with hypertension is needed to help define the burden of hypertension in this population, but currently there is little data available.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the clinical characteristics of HF, related risk factors and co-morbidities among adult Cameroonians treated for hypertension.


RESULTS
Medical files of 1218 patients with hypertension followed at the cardiac clinic of Yaounde General Hospital were evaluated over a 10-year period from 1995 to 2005. One hundred and forty (11.5%) patients with clinical HF or asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction were included in the present analysis. Ages ranged from 26 to 84 years (mean 54.9 years) and 86 (61.4%) were men. Systolic dysfunction and isolated diastolic HF were found in 64% and 23% of patients, respectively. Seventy nine (56.4%) patients had at least one co-morbidity and 43 (30.7%) had multiple co-morbidities. Co-morbidities included: renal impairment (24.3%), overweight and obesity (20.7%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (17.1%), gout (16.4%), anaemia (15.7), diabetes mellitus (13.5%), atrial fibrillation (12.9%), stroke (9.3%), and ischaemic heart disease (5.7%).


CONCLUSIONS
HF is frequent among Cameroonian patients treated for hypertension and is regularly associated with co-morbidities. Efforts are needed to improve the control of hypertension and enhance early detection of these co-morbidities in this context.
Dzudie
Anastase
A
Heart failure and transplantation Unit, Louis Pradel's Cardiovascular Hospital, Bron, Lyon, France. aitdzudie@yahoo.com
Kengne
Andre Pascal
AP
Mbahe
Salomon
S
Menanga
Alain
A
Kenfack
Monique
M
Kingue
Samuel
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002163:Cameroon; D016507:Cardiology Service, Hospital; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015897:Comorbidity; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology
D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents