Major cardiovascular risk factors and serious mental disorders, a double-edged sword: literature review

Background. The burden of mental disorders continues to grow with significant impacts on health. Their prevalence is higher in patients presenting cardiovascular risk factors.This review takes stock of the frequency, the mechanisms, and the implications of major cardiovascular risk factors in patients with serious mental disorders. Methods. A literature search was done in PubMed from 1980 to 2021 using various combinations of Mesh termslike tobacco, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia. Results. People with serious mental disordershave a greater prevalence of major cardiovascular risk factors compared to the general population. Conversely, people with cardiovascular diseases more frequently suffer from serious mental disorders. More specifically, we note that 45 to 88% of patients suffering from schizophrenia are tobacco users, Depression is reported to be 3 times higher in hypertensives than in non-hypertensives while around 19% of type 2 diabetic patients suffer from major depressive disorderwhich is 3 times greater than in the general population, and the prevalence of dyslipidemia among persons with severe and persistent mental illness is higher than the prevalence in the general population and ranges from 25% to 70%. The concomitant presence of these different pathologies can be explained either by their intertwined pathophysiological mechanisms, or by the side effects of the various medications taken in the context of these chronic diseases. Conclusion. The predisposing factors for the coexistence of mental illnesses and cardiovascular diseases are often entangled. It would be interesting to carry out more studies to elucidate precisely the different pathophysiological mechanisms of these diseases.

Contexte. La prévalence des maladies mentales est plus élevée chez les patients présentant des facteurs de risque cardiovasculaire. Cette revue fait le point sur la fréquence, les mécanismes et les implications des facteurs de risque cardiovasculaire majeurs chez les patients atteints de pathologies psychiatriques graves. Méthodologie. Une recherche documentaire a été effectuée dans PubMed de 1980 à 2021 en utilisant diverses combinaisons de termes MeSH comme tabac, diabète, hypertension, dyslipidémie, trouble dépressif majeur, trouble bipolaire, schizophrénie. Résultats. Les personnes atteintes de maladie mentales graves ont une plus grande prévalence de facteurs de risque cardiovasculaire majeurs comparé à la population générale. A l'inverse, les personnes atteintes de maladies cardiovasculaires souffrent plus fréquemment de troubles mentaux graves. Plus précisément, on note que 45 à 88% des patients souffrant de schizophrénie consomment du tabac. La dépression serait 3 fois plus élevée chez les hypertendus que chez les non hypertendus. Par ailleurs, environ 19% des patients diabétiques de type 2 souffrent d'un trouble dépressif majeur ce qui est 3 fois plus élevée que dans la population générale. La prévalence des dyslipidémies chez les personnes atteintes d'une maladie mentale grave est supérieure à la prévalence dans la population générale et varie de 25 % à 70 %. La présence concomitante de ces différentes pathologies s'explique soit par leurs mécanismes physiopathologiques imbriqués, soit par les effets secondaires des différents médicaments pris dans le cadre de ces maladies chroniques. Conclusion. Les facteurs prédisposant à la coexistence des maladies mentales et des maladies cardiovasculaires sont souvent intriqués. Il serait intéressant de mener plus d'études pour élucider précisément les différents mécanismes physiopathologiques de ces maladies.

Indications for echocardiography and confirmation rates of cardiovascular diseases: experience of a specialist cardiac outpatient clinic in Kumasi, Ghana

Background: Transthoracic echocardiography is a very helpful noninvasive cardiovascular imaging technique for the diagnosis and risk stratification in the management of patients with cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to review the clinical indications for transthoracic echocardiography and the confirmation rate of cardiovascular diseases by echocardiography at a specialist cardiac clinic in Ghana. Methods: Using a cross sectional study design, the echocardiography reports of all patients above the age of 15 who were assessed at the clinic were analyzed. Data on patient demographics, clinical history, clinical indication for echocardiography, and the echocardiographic findings were analyzed using version 25.0 of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: A total of 594 participants were studied. The age range of participants was 15­96 years, with a mean (± standard deviation) age of 53.72 (± 17.25) years. There were more females (50.17%) than males (49.83%). Most (54.21%) of the participants had echocardiography for cardiac evaluation. Other indications included hypertension/hypertensive heart disease (HHD) (n = 131; 22.06%), heart failure (n = 69; 11.62%), chest pains (n = 12; 2.02%), and valvular heart disease (VHD) (n = 11; 1.85%). Three hundred and eight nine (70.30%) of the participants had their clinical diagnoses confirmed by echocardiography; echocardiographic confirmation rates for heart failure, VHD, and HHD were 92.75%, 90.91%, and 88.54%, respectively. Conclusion: Echocardiography showed high confirmation rates for our patients with heart failure, VHD, and HHD. Prompt usage of this noninvasive cardiovascular imaging for the initial evaluation of patients with cardiovascular diseases is highly recommended.

Association between anthropometry and cardiovascular risk in patients attending a diabetic clinic

Background Obesity is a well-documented risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with increasing evidence to suggest visceral adiposity as a greater risk factor for CVD than body mass index (BMI). Objectives To determine a relationship between hypertension (HPT) and anthropometry in people living with diabetes (PLWD) in an HIV endemic area. Methods This was a retrospective study analysing data captured from standardised clinic sheets from the DM clinic at the Harry Gwala Regional Hospital, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019. Results Data from 957 PLWD were used for the study, the majority of whom had T2DM (811; 86.2%). Approximately one-sixth of the cohort had HIV infection (146; 15.3%). There was no significant difference in HPT prevalence between the HIV-uninfected (77.9%) and PLWD who had HIV (PLWDHIV) (78.1%). Multivariate analysis revealed females with increased waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WTHR) were 57.8 (95% CI 3.04­1096.33) (p = 0.007) and 87.2 (95% CI 4.88­1558.28) (p = 0.002) times more likely to be hypertensive respectively. By contrast, only BMI in males was associated with HPT with a AOR 5.294 (95% CI 1.54 - 18.22) (p = 0.008). HIV status was non-contributory to anthropometry in predicting HPT in PLWD. Conclusion Our study found that anthropometric indices are not all equal predictors of HPT. The authors advocate for local guidance on gender-specific cut-offs on anthropometry in PLWD.

Sodium, potassium food intake and global cardiovascular risks in Togo

Objectives. To assess urinary sodium/potassium intake and identify its links with global cardiovascular risk (RCVG) according to the WHOPEN approach to WHO/ISH (International High Blood Pressure Society). Methods. It was a cross-sectional and analytical study that took place from July 6, 2020, to September 17, 2021, in Togo, in the Aneho, Notse and Dapaong localities. It focused on 400 adults selected by sampling. The analysis of two urine samples was done. Cardiovascular risk scores were determined from specific graphs that take into account age, gender, systolic blood pressure, diabetes status and smoking behavior. Results. Among the 400 respondents, 49% lived in rural areas. The average age was 41 (30; 51) years. The average sodium and potassium intakes were respectively 3.2 g (1.04-5.99) or 7.95 g of salt and 1.4 g (1.89-5.62) per day. The risk of excessive sodium intake was 2.39 times higher in urban areas than in rural ones (p=0.049). Residing in rural areas was associated with high potassium intakes compared to urban ones (OR=3,2 IC [1.89-5.62]). Thirteen percent (13%) of respondents were likely to develop at least a deadly or non-deadly cardiovascular disease in the next 10 years 'time, of whom 5% present a high risk. Excessive sodium intake increases by 2.10 times the risk of a deadly cardiovascular disease occurrence. Conclusions. Sodium intakes are high while potassium intakes are low with a subsequent global cardiovascular risk (GCVR) in the three cities. Sodium intakes were associated with VCVR. It is necessary to take steps to reduce excessive sodium intake and improve potassium intake.

Cardiovascular physical examination as a screening tool for congenital heart disease in newborns at a teaching hospital in Ghana

Objectives: To determine the usefulness of cardiovascular physical examination (CPE) as a screening tool in a lowresource setting for detecting congenital heart disease (CHD) in newborns delivered at the Maternity Unit of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Accra, Ghana. Design: A hospital-based cross-sectional study with a comparison group component. Setting: Maternity Unit of the KBTH, Accra, Ghana. Participants: Over eight months, newborns aged 1-14 days delivered at ≥ 34 weeks' gestation at the Maternity Unit, KBTH, were recruited into the study. Intervention: Each newborn was examined using a set of CPE parameters for the presence of congenital heart disease. Those with suggestive features of CHD had a confirmatory echocardiogram test. Main Outcome Measure: Abnormal CPE features and their corresponding echocardiogram findings. Results: A total of 1607 were screened, with 52 newborns showing signs of CHD on CPE, of which 20 newborns were proven on echocardiogram to have congenital heart disease. Abnormal CPE parameter that was associated with CHD was murmur (P=0.001), dysmorphism (p=0.01), newborns with chest recessions (p=0.01) and lethargy (p=0.02). CPE's sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 95%, 60.7%, 36.5% and 98,1%, respectively. The most common acyanotic CHD found was isolated atrial septal defect (ASD), followed by patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). The only cyanotic CHD found was a case of tricuspid atresia. Conclusion: Cardiovascular physical examination at birth is an effective and inexpensive screening tool for detecting CHD in newborns, which can easily be utilised in low-resource settings.

Long COVID: An approach to clinical assessment and management in primary care

Long COVID is an emerging public health threat, following swiftly behind the surges of acute infection over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is estimated that there are already approximately 100 million people suffering from Long COVID globally, 0.5 million of whom are South African, and for whom our incomplete understanding of the condition has forestalled appropriate diagnosis and clinical care. There are several leading postulates for the complex, multi-mechanistic pathogenesis of Long COVID. Patients with Long COVID may present with a diversity of clinical phenotypes, often with significant overlap, which may exhibit temporal heterogeneity and evolution. Post-acute care follow-up, targeted screening, diagnosis, a broad initial assessment and more directed subsequent assessments are necessary at the primary care level. Symptomatic treatment, self-management and rehabilitation are the mainstays of clinical care for Long COVID. However, evidence-based pharmacological interventions for the prevention and treatment of Long COVID are beginning to emerge. This article presents a rational approach for assessing and managing patients with Long COVID in the primary care setting.

Anomalies électrocardiographiques chez les patients hospitalisés pour COVID-19 à Fianarantsoa, Madagascar

Les anomalies électrocardiographiques sont l'expression d'une atteinte cardiovasculaire lors de la COVID-19. Les troubles du rythme et de la conduction cardiaque peuvent mettre en jeu le pronostic vital à court terme au cours de la COVID -19. Notre objectif principal est de décrire les anomalies électrocardiographiques et leurs fréquences chez les patients atteints de la COVID -19. L'objectif secondaire est de déterminer l'association entre ces anomalies électrocardiographiques et la gravité de la maladie. Méthodes : Il s'agit d'une étude rétrospective à visée descriptive des patients hospitalisés pour COVID-19 dans les centres de traitement COVID -19 de Fianarantsoa sur une période de 14 mois. Résultats : Nous avons retenu 101 patients. Le sex-ratio était de 1,06. La moyenne d'âge était de 59,81ans +/- 11,9. Tous les patients retenus avaient un électrocardiogramme à 12 dérivations et un test positif à la COVID-19. L'électrocardiogramme (ECG) était anormal chez 87 (86,1%) patients. Dans les formes graves et modérées de la maladie nous avons enregistré à l'ECG: 51 (50,5%) tachycardies sinusales, 13 (12,8%) blocs de branche incomplets droits, 13 (12,8%) profil S1Q3T3, 24 (23,7%) ondes Q pathologiques, 19 (18,8%) anomalies du segment ST. Dans les formes graves de la maladie nous avons enregistré à l'ECG: 2 (3,8%) bloc auriculoventriculaire complet (BAV complet), 7 (13,4%) blocs de branche gauche complet (BBG), 5 (9,6%) blocs de branche droit complet (BBD). La tachycardie sinusale avait une association significative avec la gravité de la maladie (p=0,002). Conclusion : Des anomalies électrocardiographiques ont été observées dans notre étude. La tachycardie sinusale était associée à la gravité de la maladie. Une surveillance rythmique, des explorations cardiaques plus pertinentes sont nécessaires pour une meilleure prise charge de la COVID-19

Effect of heavy cigarette and water pipe smoking on antioxidants and lipids in Sudanese male smokers: a case-control study

Background: Tobacco smoking is a source of many toxins such as free radicals, mutagenic substances as well as cause for developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD), particularly atherosclerosis. This study aims to assess the impact of smoking on antioxidants in Sudanese male smokers. Methods: Cases were 85 and 48 men who smoke cigarettes (CS) and water pipe (WPS) respectively and they were compared with matching 50 non-smoking controls. Blood samples were collected and following parameters: Glutathione peroxidase, Superoxide dismutase, Total cholesterol, Triglyceride, LDL, HDL, Paraoxinase, and Malondialdehyde were measured. Results: There were no significant differences in biochemical parameters between light CS and WPS compared to controls. In heavy smokers of both WPS and CS, the TC, TG, LDL, and MDA were higher than controls (p>0.05), GPx, SOD, HDL, and PON were lower in smokers than controls (p>0.05). In both groups of smokers, HDL, GPx, SOD, and PON were inversely correlated with duration of smoking (p>0.05), also, HDL was positively correlated with SOD and GPx (p>0.05). Moreover, GPx and SOD were correlated with each other in both groups of smokers (p>0.05). Conclusion: In Sudanese male smokers' biochemical profile disturbances suggest that heavy smoking was leading to developing CVD, particularly WPS

Prevalence of physical activity and dietary patterns as risk factors for cardiovascular diseases among semi-urban dwellers in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background: Physical inactivity and unhealthy diet are leading risk factors for cardiovascular diseases globally. Limited studies have assessed the prevalence of these risk factors in community-based settings in Nigeria. Objectives: This study assessed the prevalence of physical activity and the dietary pattern of residents in selected semi-urban communities in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out among 500 randomly selected residents from two semi-urban communities. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select households and participants. Data were collected using a pretested modified version of the WHO STEPS instrument. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were determined at 5% level of significance. Results: The mean age was 35.36 ± 12.24 and a mean household size of 4.07 ± 1.85. Majority (87.2%) of the respondents engaged in low physical activity (< 150-300 min/wk). Consumption of fruits and vegetables was low among respondents at 33% and 36.4% respectively. The employment status of respondents was significantly related to expected workplace physical activity level (χ2=11.27; P=0.024). Conclusions: This study highlights the need for the development and implementation of community-driven, multi-layered public health promotion initiatives across different settings

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease among people with mental illness in Namibia

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) among people with mental illness attending the Mental Health Care Centre, Windhoek, Namibia Design: Observational, cross-sectional study. Setting: Mental health Care Centre, Windhoek Central Hospital. Namibia Participants: Adult patients with a mental illness attending the Mental Health Care Centre, Windhoek. Data collection: Within a systematic random sampling method, 385 adult patients with mental illness were recruited between May and December 2017. Statistical analysis: Validated assessment tools were used. Descriptive summary statistics and Chi-squared tests of association were conducted. Results: One-third (31.7%) of participants used alcohol, 21% used nicotine, 21.3% had hypertension, 55% were overweight or obese, 59.2% of females and 11.5% of males had abdominal obesity. About twenty per cent (19.9%) of participants did meet the World Health Organisation recommended level of activity, while more than two-thirds of participants did not participate in moderate or vigorous physical activities. The patient's psychiatric condition was significantly associated with alcohol use (Chi-square=20.450, p=0.002) and physical activity (Chi-square=20.989, p=0.002). The psychiatric condition was not associated with the waist circumference and gender of the participant. Conclusions: The increased prevalence of CVD risk factors in people with mental illness calls for mental health practitioners to screen, monitor and manage these risk factors regularly. Systematically screening and monitoring for cardiovascular risk factors is likely to contribute to National targets and significantly impact cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in people with mental illness

Children and adolescents with diabetes at Tygerberg Hospital ­ at risk of cardiovascular complications?

Objectives. To determine the prevalence of dyslipidaemia and HT in paediatric diabetic patients seen at Tygerberg Hospital (TBH) and establish whether either is associated with body mass index (BMI), glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) or duration of diabetes. Further, to determine whether the prevalence differs between two specified periods.Methods. A retrospective study of 154 diabetic patients, aged 1 - 19 years, seen at TBH between 2007 and 2017, was undertaken. The following data were recorded: age; sex; duration of disease (time since diagnosis); height; weight; blood pressure; HbA1c; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C); triglycerides (TG); and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Results. More than half of the patients (57.8%; n=89/154; 95% confidence interval (CI) 51.7 - 65.0) had dyslipidaemia, 16.3% (n=24/147) had low HDL-C levels, 53.8% (n=78/145) had high LDL-C levels and 14.9% (n=22/148) had raised TG levels. Nearly half of the patients (48.7%; n=75/154; 95% CI 41.6 - 55.1) were hypertensive and 93.5% (n=144/154) were poorly controlled (HbA1c >7.5%). Dyslipidaemia was not associated with HT or BMI percentile and its prevalence did not change between the two specified periods. Prevalence of dyslipidaemia and HT was not associated with duration of diabetes. About one-third (30.8% (n=4/13); 95% CI 11.9 - 59.3) of the pre-adolescents and 60.3% (n=85/141; 95% CI 51.9 - 68.1) of the adolescents had dyslipidaemia (p=0.04). Dyslipidaemia was diagnosed in 62.6% (n=82/131) of adolescents with poorly controlled diabetes (p=0.04) and in 71.7% (95% CI 59.0 - 81.7) of patients ≥16 years of age (p=0.005). Conclusions. Poor glycaemic control, dyslipidaemia and HT are common in diabetic children, putting them at risk of cardiovascular complications in adulthood.S Afr J Child Health 2022;16(4):205-208. https://doi.org/10.7196/SAJCH.2022.v16i4.1862Children and adolescents with diabetes at Tygerberg Hospital ­ at risk of cardiovascular complications?L N Dookhony,1 MMed (Paeds); C J Lombard,2 MSc, PhD; E W Zöllner,3 MMed, PhD1Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa; and SSRN Hospital, Pamplemousses, Republic of Mauritius2Biostatistics Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Division of Biostatistics; and Department of Global Health, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa3Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa

Cardiovascular risk factors and renal impairment among young adults in a tertiary institution in Southwest Nigeria

Background: Specific research is sparse on renal dysfunction among homogenous group of young adults. This study estimated the prevalence of renal dysfunction among apparently healthy young adults and determine association (if any) between renal dysfunction and some cardiovascular risk factors. Methodology:Undergraduates (18-37 years) of a tertiary institution were studied on 2017 World Kidney Day. Their biodata, blood pressure, anthropometry, total cholesterol and estimated glomerular filtration rate were determined. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Results:A total of 640 students were studied (M:F=1:3.8). Their mean age was 23.1±2.8 years. Thirty-three(5.2%) participants had renal dysfunction (eGFR < 60ml/min/1.73m2). The mean age of subjects with renaldysfunction (eGFR < 60ml/min/1.73m2) was significantly higher with an inverse association to renal function (p = 0.005). Two hundred and fifty-seven(40.2%) and 58 (9.1%) participants were pre-hypertensive and hypertensive respectively; overweight, abdominal obesity and hypercholesterolaemia were found among 12.2%, 14.2% and 8.1% of subjects respectively. The mean body mass index (p = 0.009) and serum total cholesterol (p = 0.003) were significantly higher among females. There was a higher prevalence of renal dysfunction among females even though this was not to the significant level (5.9 v 2.2%, p = 0.12). Conclusions:The prevalence of renal dysfunction among young adults is lower than current global estimates. The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors for CKD were lower than that of older adults with no significant association to renal dysfunction. Increasing age was found to be significantly associated with reduced renal function.

Review of cardiovascular involvements in COVID-19

Background: A spectrum of cardiovascular pathologies occurs in patients with COVID-19 and increases the risk of mortality. Risk of mortality is also heightened in cardiovascular disease patients who contact COVID-19. Methodology: Online search for the keywords in PubMed, Medline, Embase, Google scholar was done. Relevant research articles yielded from the searches were reviewed. Results: the searches yielded a total of 172 results, out of which 111 were reviewed. Cardiac involvement was found in 70.6% COVID-19 patients: tachycardia (19%), electrocardiography abnormalities (22%), echocardiography abnormalities (57%), elevated myocardial enzymes (53%), and acute cardiac injury (9%). Eight percent of patients with acute cardiac injury were aged >60 years; 87.5% of them had ≥2 underlying comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic kidney disease). Novel coronavirus pneumonia was much more severe in the patients with acute cardiac injury than in patients with non-definite acute cardiac injury (P<0.001). Multivariate analyses showed that C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, old age, novel coronavirus pneumonia severity, and underlying comorbidities were the risk factors for cardiac abnormalities in patients with COVID-19. Conclusion: Besides its prominent expression at the level of the respiratory apparatus, COVID-19 is also characterized by a substantial degree of cardiovascular involvement, both in terms of deterioration of pre-existing conditions, and as the effect of inflammation-facilitated acute events. They include ischemic and inflammatory heart disease, ventricular arrhythmias, conduction disturbances, thrombotic events at the level of the lungs, systemic activation of the coagulation cascade and disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Relationship between magnesium and lipids in patients with diabetes mellitus

Introduction: Non-communicable diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases (CVD), have become more prevalent across the world, more so in developing countries. Novel methods in the management of CVD risks in patients with diabetes mellitus, type 2 (DM2) requires constant attention and an ever-evolving approach. The role of magnesium supplementation in the management of CVD has been described, but the relationship between serum magnesium (Mg) and the lipid subsets have had conflicting results in different population groups. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed by collecting data on patients with DM2 from a specialised diabetes clinic at Edendale Hospital, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016. Lipid subsets (total cholesterol [TC], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL] and triglycerides [TG]), age, sex and Mg were recorded for analysis. Results: A total of 495 clinical data sheets were analysed. The majority of participants were female (73.45%) with a mean age of 56.97 years. A statistically significant, positive, linear relationship was found between Mg and TC (R= 0.11;p= 0.01) as well as Mg and LDL R= 0.14;p= 0.001), but not between Mg and HDL (R= 0.02;p= 0.66) and Mg and TG (R= 0.01;p= 0.82). Discussion: The results of this study are similar to findings by a group of researchers in China and differ when compared with studies observing Caucasian patients. It is plausible that intrinsic ethnic differences in lipid metabolism and the various ways in which magnesium requiring enzymatic processes are utilised may be responsible for the results found in the present study population versus those found in Caucasian study participants in other countries. More research is required to determine the effect of magnesium supplementation and CVD outcomes in the present study population

Lifestyle, cardiovascular risk knowledge and patient counselling among selected sub-Saharan African family physicians and trainees

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related deaths in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are on the rise, and primary care physicians could facilitate the reversal of this trend through treatment and prevention strategies. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between physician lifestyle practices, CVD prevention knowledge and patient CVD counselling practices among family physicians (FPs) and family medicine (FM) trainees affiliated to FM colleges and organisations in SSA. Setting: FPs and FM trainees affiliated to FM colleges and organisations in Anglophone SSA. Methods: A web-based cross-sectional analytical study was conducted using validated, self-administered questionnaires. Following collation of responses, the relationship between the participants' CVD prevention knowledge, lifestyle practices and CVD counselling rates was assessed.Results: Of the 174 participants (53% response rate), 83% were married, 51% were females and the mean age was 39.2 (standard deviation [SD] 7.6) years. Most of the participants responded accurately to the CVD prevention knowledge items, but few had accurate responses on prioritising care by 10-year risk. Most participants had less than optimal lifestyle practices except for smoking, vegetable or fruit ingestion and sleep habits. Most participants (65%) usually counselled patients on nutrition, but less frequently on weight management, exercise, smoking and alcohol. The region of practice and physicians with poor lifestyle were predictive of patient counselling rates.Conclusion: Training on patient counselling and self-awareness for CVD prevention may influence patient counselling practice. Promoting quality training on patient counselling among FPs as well as a healthy self-awareness for CVD prevention is thus needed. The complex relationship between physician lifestyle and patient counselling warrants further study

Lifestyle, cardiovascular risk knowledge and patient counselling among selected sub-Saharan African family physicians and trainees

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related deaths in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are on the rise, and primary care physicians could facilitate the reversal of this trend through treatment and prevention strategies. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between physician lifestyle practices, CVD prevention knowledge and patient CVD counselling practices among family physicians (FPs) and family medicine (FM) trainees affiliated to FM colleges and organisations in SSA. Setting: FPs and FM trainees affiliated to FM colleges and organisations in Anglophone SSA. Methods: A web-based cross-sectional analytical study was conducted using validated, self-administered questionnaires. Following collation of responses, the relationship between the participants' CVD prevention knowledge, lifestyle practices and CVD counselling rates was assessed. Results: Of the 174 participants (53% response rate), 83% were married, 51% were females and the mean age was 39.2 (standard deviation [SD] 7.6) years. Most of the participants responded accurately to the CVD prevention knowledge items, but few had accurate responses on prioritising care by 10-year risk. Most participants had less than optimal lifestyle practices except for smoking, vegetable or fruit ingestion and sleep habits. Most participants (65%) usually counselled patients on nutrition, but less frequently on weight management, exercise, smoking and alcohol. The region of practice and physicians with poor lifestyle were predictive of patient counselling rates. Conclusion: Training on patient counselling and self-awareness for CVD prevention may influence patient counselling practice. Promoting quality training on patient counselling among FPs as well as a healthy self-awareness for CVD prevention is thus needed. The complex relationship between physician lifestyle and patient counselling warrants further study

Pattern and presentation of thyro-cardiac disease among patients with hyperthyroidism attending a tertiary hospital in Ethiopia: a cross sectional study

BACKGROUND:Thyro-cardiac disease describes the existence of a combination of thyroid toxicity and significant heart disease in an individual patient. The frequent manifestations of thyro-cardiac disease are hypertension, atrial flutter or fibrillation, pulmonary hypertension and dilated cardiomyopathy. The aim of the study was to determine the pattern and presentation of cardiovasculardiseases in patients with hyperthyroidism on follow-up at St. Paul's Hospital endocrine clinic. METHODS:It was a hospital based cross sectional study that evaluated hyperthyroid patients' on follow-up at St. Paul's Hospital for cardiovascular diseases from May 1st 2017 to October 31st 2017. Theyhad focused history, physical examination, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic evaluation. RESULTS: A total of 146 hyperthyroid patients on follow-up were included in the study. The mean age was 47.2 years and females accounted for 93.2% of patients. The mean duration of symptoms before presentation was 42 months. The frequent causes of hyperthyroidism were toxic multi-nodular goitre (88.4%), Graves' disease (6.8%) and toxic adenoma (2.1%). Sixteen (11%) patients had atrial fibrillation and 71 (48.6%) had hypertension. Thyrocardiac disease was detected in 46.6% of patients. The frequent abnormalities were left ventricular hypertrophy (14.4%), mild diastolic dysfunction (10.9%), moderate to severe mitral regurgitation (8.9%), pulmonary hypertension with or without right ventricular dysfunction (8.2%) and dilated cardiomyopathy (4.1%). CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular disease was frequent among patients with hyperthyroidism. The commonest abnormalities were systemic hypertension, pulmonary hypertension with or without isolated right sided heart failure, atrial fibrillation and dilated cardiomyopathy

Indications et résultats de l'échographie doppler vasculaire à Cotonou : à propos de 73 cas

Objectif : Décrire les indications et les résultats de l'échographie Doppler vasculaire en pratique de ville à Cotonou au Bénin. Matériels et Méthodes : Une étude rétrospective et descriptive a été menée sur les archives des comptes rendus d'échographie Doppler vasculaire d'octobre 2015 à juin 2018, soit une période de 33 mois dans l'unité d'échographie du Centre d'Imagerie Médicale et de Diagnostic.Tous les patients ayant fait une échographie Doppler vasculaire dans la période ont été inclus dans l'étude. Les variables étudiées étaient l'âge et le sexe, les indications cliniques, la région anatomique examinée et les lésions retrouvées à l'échographie Doppler vasculaire. Résultats : 73 patients ont été inclus. L'âge moyen des patients était de 54,30 ans ± 11,58. Les patients étaient en majorité de sexe masculin (54,79%) avec une sex-ratio M/F égale à 1,21. L'indication de l'échographie Doppler vasculaire était pertinente dans 100% des cas. Les indications les plus fréquentes étaient le pied diabétique (32,88%), la suspicion de thrombose veineuse profonde (19,18%), les grosses jambes douloureuses (12,33%) et les oedèmes des membres pelviens (9,59%). L'échographie Doppler vasculaire des membres pelviens représentaient 93,11% des examens. 54 examens (73,97%) étaient revenus pathologiques. Les pathologies vasculaires les plus rencontrées étaient l'artériopathie calcifiante des membres pelviens (27,78%), l'insuffisance veineuse (18,51%) et la thrombose veineuse profonde (16,67%). Conclusion : L'échographie Doppler vasculaire réalisée par un spécialiste est performante dans le diagnostic des pathologies vasculaires périphériques. Elle constitue une alternative pertinente et peu onéreuse l'exploration vasculaire dans les pays à ressource limitée. Dans le contexte d'émergence des maladies cardio-vascu- laires dans ces pays, elle mérite d'être vulgarisée dans les centres publiques et privées

Profil épidémiologique et clinique des urgences cardiovasculaires à Conakry

Objectif : décrire les aspects épidémiologiques et cliniques des urgences cardiovasculaires au service de Cardiologie de l'Hôpital National Ignace Deen de Conakry. Patients et méthode : Il s'agissait d'une étude prospective descriptive d'une durée de six (06) mois, du 28 janvier au 28 juillet 2017. Elle a porté sur l'ensemble des patients admis et hospitalisés au service pour une urgence cardiovasculaire avec des critères de définition correspondant aux normes internationales pour chaque urgence. Résultats : L'étude a porté sur 119 patients reçus en urgence dans le service pendant la période d'étude. Il y avait 69 hommes (57,9 %) et 50 femmes (42,1). Le sex-ratio H/F était de 1,38. La fréquence des UCV était de 27,9 %. Les principales urgences cardiovasculaires étaient représentées par l'insuffisance cardiaque décompensée (28,6 %) suivie des urgences hypertensives (21,8 %) et de l'infarctus du myocarde (18,5 %). Le délai entre le début des symptômes et l'hospitalisation était en moyenne de 5,7 jours. Les pathologies sous-jacentes les plus fréquentes étaient représentées par l'HTA (48,7 %), les valvulopathies (28,6 %) et les myocardiopathies (10,1 %). Le facteur de risque cardiovasculaire essentiel que nous avons observé était l'hypertension artérielle dans (27,7 %). L'évolution a été favorable dans 85,7% des cas, malheureusement 14, 3 % cas de décès ont été enregistrés. Conclusion : Ces urgences constituent un problème majeur de santé dans notre pays compte tenu de l'insuffisance du plateau technique. L'accent doit être mis sur la prévention des affections cardiovasculaires

Association between periodontal diseases and cardiovascular diseases in Cameroon

To assess the association between periodontal diseases and cardiovascular diseases in dental patients in Cameroon, a prospective observational study was carried out in 3 hospitals in Cameroon from January 2013 to December 2015. Data on general condition, age, gender and lifestyle were collected during medical history taking. The Dutch Periodontal Screening Index assessed periodontal health during oral examination. The Wilcoxon test, the Fisher test and logistic regression analysis were performed. 558 patients (53.9% women) were included in the study. The mean age was 44±13 years (30 to 85). In terms of overall health, 161 (28.9%) had cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and 73 (13.1%) had diabetes. Hypertension accounted for 87.6% of CVD. In terms of periodontal diseases (PD), 431 (77.2%) patients had PD, the break-down by PD was 347 (62.2%) gingivitis and 84 (15%) periodontitis. Statistical associations were found between CVD and gingivitis [OR=4.30 (1.85-10.00), P=0.001], and CVD and periodontitis [OR=2.87 (1.04-7.93); P=0.04]