The Brugada type 1 electrocardiographic pattern is common among Filipinos.
OBJECTIVE
To measure the prevalence of the Brugada type 1 ECG pattern in the general population in the Philippines. STUDY SETTING AND DESIGN: Sudden unexplained death syndrome is rare in the West but is common among Southeast Asians. Ventricular fibrillation is the terminal event. The Brugada type 1 electrocardiographic (ECG) pattern with J point and coved ST elevation in right precordial leads, is a marker for sudden unexplained death syndrome. Its prevalence in the general population is unknown. A cross-sectional nationwide survey was performed in the Philippines in 2003 using a stratified multistage sampling design covering all the regions and provinces in the country. ECGs were performed in all adults surveyed. The prevalences of the Brugada type 1 ECG pattern (coved type) and any type Brugada ECG pattern were determined.


RESULTS
The Brugada type 1 (coved) ECG pattern in the general population in the Philippines was found in 0.2% (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.03%-0.36%) of the population. Among males the prevalence was 0.3% (+/-0.1). The prevalence of any type Brugada ECG was 2% (95% CI 1.5%-2.6%).


CONCLUSIONS
The Brugada ECG pattern is common among Filipinos. There is a need to determine the risk of sudden death among individuals with this marker in the general population.
University of Phillipines-Phillipines General Hospital, Section of Cardiology, Taft Ave, Manila, 1000 Philippines. gdomingo@zpdee.net
Giselle
G
Gervacio-Domingo
Jessore
J
Isidro
Jose
J
Tirona
Eden
E
Gabriel
Gladys
G
David
Ma Lourdes
ML
Amarillo
Dante
D
Morales
Antonio
A
Dans
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D053840:Brugada Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010679:Philippines / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D055815:Young Adult