title: Evaluation of cardiovascular morbidity in Nigerian women after 3 years of Norplant contraception.
abstract: This study was conducted to determine any cardiovascular morbidity with Norplant use by electrocardiography. Thirty Nigerian women seeking long-term reversible contraception were recruited. The clients had baseline blood pressure checks and electrocardiography (ECG) tracings. These were repeated at the 12, 24 and 36 months follow-up visits and the results were analysed. The mean age of subjects was 32.4 +/- 3.98 years. The mean weight at pre-insertion and at the 12, 24 and 36 months follow-up visits showed a statistically significant rise after 2 years (p < 0.01). The blood pressures did not show any significant changes throughout the period of study. There was statistically significant prolongation of the PR and QRS intervals at the 12 month visit; mean PR interval (seconds) pre-insertion 0.153 +/- 0.003, and at 12 months 0.173 +/- 0.006 (P = 0.019), mean QRS interval (seconds) pre-insertion 0.056 +/- 0.003 and at 12 months 0.074 +/- 0.002 (P = 0.005). After 3 years of Norplant use, prolongation of the mean QRS interval remained evident (p = 0.011) while mean PR interval had returned to pre-insertion levels. There is a tendency to prolongation of PR and QRS (ECG) intervals in Norplant users; accordingly, it may be prudent for clients with cardiac conditions showing longer ECG intervals, to consider alternative methods of contraception.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos, .M.B. 2084, Jos, Nigeria. atsagay58@yahoo.com
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Sagay
authors.forename: B N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Okeahialam
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Imade
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Aisien
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004343:Drug Implants / Q000009:adverse effects; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009017:Morbidity; D009549:Nigeria; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D004343:Drug Implants; D016912:Levonorgestrel