Barriers to up-titrated antihypertensive strategies in 12 sub-Saharan African countries: the Multination Evaluation of hypertension in Sub-Saharan Africa Study.

BACKGROUND: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces the highest rate of hypertension worldwide. The high burden of elevated blood pressure (BP) in black people has been emphasized. Guidelines recommend two or more antihypertensive medications to achieve a BP control. We aimed to identify factors associated with prescription of up-titrated antihypertensive strategies in Africa. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study on outpatient consultations for hypertension across 12 SSA countries. Collected data included socioeconomic status, antihypertensive drugs classes, BP measures, cardiovascular risk factors and complication of hypertension. We used ordinal logistic regression to assess factors associated with prescription of up-titrated strategies. RESULTS: The study involved 2123 treated patients with hypertension. Patients received monotherapy in 36.3 vs. 25.9%, two-drug in 42.2 vs. 45% and three and more drugs strategies in 21.5 vs. 29.1% in low (LIC) and middle (MIC) income countries, respectively. Patients with sedentary lifestyle [OR 1.4 (1.11-1.77)], complication of hypertension [OR 2.4 (1.89-3.03)], former hypertension [OR 3.12 (2.3-4.26)], good adherence [OR 1.98 (1.47-2.66)], from MIC [OR 1.38 (1.10-1.74)] and living in urban areas [OR 1.52 (1.16-1.99)] were more likely to be treated with up-titrated strategies. Stratified analysis shows that in LIC, up-titrated strategies were less frequent in rural than in urban patients (P for trend <0.01) whereas such difference was not observed in MIC. CONCLUSION: In this African setting, in addition to expected factors, up-titrated drug strategies were associated with country-level income, patient location and finally, the interplay between both in LIC. These results highlight the importance of developing policies that seek to make multiple drug classes accessible particularly in rural and LIC.

Apport de la saturométrie dans le dépistage des cardiopathies congénitales cyanogènes chez les nouveau-nés au CNHU-HKM Cotonou, faisabilité et résultats préliminaires en 2019 / NA

Introduction : Les cardiopathies congénitales critiques représentant 25% des cardiopathies congénitales et s'accompagnent souvent de désaturation, d'où l'intérêt de l'utilisation de la saturation pulsée en oxygène pour favoriser leur détection chez tous les nouveau-nés avant la sortie de maternité et un traitement adéquat. Au Bénin la saturométrie de dépistage est encore peu utilisée. Cette étude avait pour objectif d'étudier l'apport de la saturométrie dans le dépistage des cardiopathies congénitales cyanogènes au CNHU-HKM de Cotonou en 2019. Méthodes : Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale, descriptive et analytique qui s'est déroulée du 15 mai au 13 novembre 2019 et ayant inclus les nouveau-nés, nés au CNHU- HKM. Tous les enfants ont bénéficié d'un examen clinique et d'un test de saturométrie. L'échographie Döppler cardiaque a été réalisée chez tous les patients et utilisée comme gold standard pour déterminer les performances diagnostiques de la saturométrie pour le dépistage des cardiopathies congénitales cyanogènes. Résultats : un total de 379 nouveau-nés ont été inclus. L'acceptabilité parentale était de 72,64%. La saturométrie a permis de détecter 4 cas d'hypertension artérielle pulmonaire persistante du nouveau-né (HTAPP) associée à un foramen ovale shuntant droite-gauche. La saturométrie de dépistage avait une sensibilité de 100%, une spécificité de 94,93% et une valeur prédictive positive à 17,4%. Malgré son faible caractère discriminant pour les autres causes de désaturation, la valeur prédictive négative était de 100%. L'examen clinique améliore les performances diagnostiques de la saturométrie pour le dépistage des cardiopathies congénitales cyanogènes. Conclusion : La saturométrie est un test de dépistage aisément utilisable dans nos conditions de travail et avec une bonne acceptabilité parentale. Malgré son faible caractère discriminant, ses performances diagnostiques sont excellentes pour le dépistage des cardiopathies congénitales cyanogènes.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Critical congenital heart disease represented 25% of congenital heart disease and are often accompanied by desaturation, hence the interest to use pulse oximeter in order to detect all newborns who have congenital heart disease before discharge after birth. In Benin, pulse oximetry screening is rarely used. This study aimed to study the contribution of s pulse oximetry screening in the detection of cyanotic congenital heart disease at the CNHU-HKM in Cotonou in 2019. Results: 379 newborns were included. The parental acceptability was 72.64%. Pulse oximetry detected 4 cases of newborn pulmonary hypertension with a permeable foramen oval and right to left shunt. Pulse oximetry screening had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 94.93%, a positive predictive value of 17.4%. Despite its low discriminating character for the other causes of desaturation, its negative predictive value was 100%. Clinical examination improves results of pulse oximetry to detect cyanotic congenital heart disease. Conclusion: Pulse oximetry is a screening test easily used in our condition with a good parental acceptability. Despite its low discriminating character, it has an excellent accuracy to detect cyanotic congenital heart disease.

Poor adherence to medication and salt restriction as a barrier to reaching blood pressure control in patients with hypertension: Cross-sectional study from 12 sub-Saharan countries.

BACKGROUND: Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing a rising burden of hypertension. Antihypertensive medications and diet are the cornerstone of effective hypertension control. AIMS: To assess adherence to medication and salt restriction in 12 sub-Saharan countries, and to study the relationship between adherence and blood pressure control in patients with hypertension. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in urban clinics in twelve sub-Saharan countries. Data were collected on demographics, treatment and adequacy of blood pressure control in patients with hypertension attending the clinics. Adherence was assessed by questionnaires completed by the patients. Hypertension grades were defined according to European Society of Cardiology guidelines. Association between adherence and blood pressure control was investigated using multilevel logistic regression analysis, adjusting for age, sex and country. RESULTS: Among the 2198 patients, 77.4% had uncontrolled blood pressure, 34.0% were poorly adherent to salt restriction, 64.4% were poorly adherent to medication and 24.6% were poorly adherent to both. Poor adherence to salt restriction (odds ratio [OR] 1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.72), medication (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.25-1.93) or both (OR 1.91 1.39-2.66) was related to uncontrolled blood pressure. Moreover, poor adherence to both medication and salt restriction was related to a 1.52-fold (95% CI 1.04-2.22), 1.8-fold (95% CI 1.22-2.65) and 3.08-fold (95% CI 2.02-4.69) increased likelihood of hypertension grade 1, 2 and 3, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of poor adherence to salt restriction and medication were noted in this urban sub-Saharan study; both were significantly associated with uncontrolled blood pressure, representing major opportunities for intervention to improve hypertension control in sub-Saharan Africa.

Connaissances, attitudes et pratiques sur l'hypertension artérielle, chez les patients d'un centre de santé de premier niveau au sud-ouest du Bénin

Introduction : Au Bénin, en 2008, la prévalence de l'HTA dans le département du Mono au Sud-Ouest, était l'une des plus élevée avec 35,76%. L'objectif cette étude était d'évaluer les connaissances, les attitudes et les pratiques des patients sur l'HTA en vue d'adapter les messages de prévention en direction des populations. Méthode : Etude transversale descriptive avec collecte prospective des données, qui s'est déroulée dans l'arrondissement d'Akodéha du 20 Juillet au 20 Août 2016. Les patients âgés d'au moins 18 ans présents dans le centre de santé, ont été enquêtés de même que ceux qui y ont consulté au cours des 6 mois précédents l'enquête. Les connaissances globales sur l'HTA, les attitudes et les pratiques des enquêtés ont été collectées lors d'un entretien dirigé. Cinq items sont retenus pour l'évaluation : origine/ causes, symptômes, complications, dépistage, durée de traitement. Résultats : Nous avons enquêté 265 patients. La moyenne d'âge était 36,67±10,44 ans et le sex-ratio de 1,03 (M/F : 135/130). Parmi les enquêtés, 46,40% déclaraient savoir lire ou écrire dans une langue quelconque et parmi eux 82,0% ,avaient le niveau primaire ou secondaire et 17,35% le niveau universitaire. Seuls 22,73% des enquêtés ontdéclaré avoir une connaissance sur l'HTA. Les sources d'information sur l'HTA étaient : l'agent de santé (50%), les mass médias (22,05%), les lectures personnelles (17,65%), les tiers (10,29%). Sur les 5 items d'évaluation du niveau de connaissance globale, 96,7% des enquêtés qui déclaraient avoir une connaissance sur l'HTA, avaient des réponses bonnes, côtées au moins à 3/5. Seuls 23,85% des enquêtés déclaraient faire une activité physique régulière. Les repas riches en gras sont préférés par 45,11% et les repas hypersodés par 23,28% des enquêtés. Parmi les enquêtés hypertendus, 44,83% ne suivaient aucun régime et 74,07% ne suivaient aucun traitement médical. Conclusion : Cette étude montre un faible niveau de connais-sance sur l'HTA chez les patients du centre de santé d'Akodéha. Les attitudes et les pratiques ne sont pas favorables pour le contrôle de l'HTA. Les activités de prévention pour un changement de comportement doivent être menées lors du contact médical afin d'améliorer le niveau de connaissance des patients

Epidemiology of lower extremity artery disease in a rural setting in Benin, West Africa: The TAHES study.

BACKGROUND: Data on epidemiology of lower extremity artery disease (LEAD) in general population in Sub-Saharan Africa are sparse. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of LEAD among participants of Tanve Health Study (TAHES), a cohort about cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in a rural setting in Benin. METHODS: The cohort was launched since 2015 among adults aged over 25 years in Tanve, a village in Benin. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) was measured for the first time during the third annual visit of the cohort in 2017. Risk factors data were collected using the WHO STEPS adapted questionnaire in a systematic door-to-door survey. The LEAD was defined as ABI ≤ 0.90. RESULTS: We recorded ABI among 1003 out of 1407 TAHES' participants. A predominance of females (61.4%) was observed. The mean age was 44.4 ±â€¯15.7 years and 49.9% were under 40 years. Regarding CVD risk factors, prevalences were estimated for sedentary behavior (68.2%), harmful use of alcohol (3.9%), fruit and vegetable low intake (96.0%), tobacco smoking (5.2%), Overweight or obesity (Body mass index > 25) (27.7%), raised blood pressure (36.8%) and raised blood glucose (5.4%). Prevalence of LEAD was 5.5% (95%CI: 4.2%­7.1%) in the sample, 7.0% (95%CI: 5.1%­9.4%) in women and 3.1% (95%CI: 1.7%­5.5%) in men. Five individuals (0.5%; 95%CI: 0.2%­1.2%) had incompressible arteries (ABI ≥ 1.40), including four men. In multivariate analysis, LEAD was significantly associated with age ≥ 55 years (OR: 2.17; 95%CI: 1.20­3.92; p = 0.009) and female gender (OR: 2.27; 95%CI: 1.17­4.40; p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: Prevalence of LEAD is high in rural Benin and predominates among women and people over 55 years old.

Socioeconomic Status and Hypertension Control in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Multination EIGHT Study (Evaluation of Hypertension in Sub-Saharan Africa).

Systemic hypertension is a rapidly growing epidemic in Africa. The role of socioeconomic status on blood pressure control has not been well studied in this part of the world. We, therefore, aimed to quantify the association of socioeconomic status both at the individual and at the country level with blood pressure control in Sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted a cross-sectional survey in urban clinics of 12 countries, both low income and middle income, in Sub-Saharan Africa. Standardized blood pressure measures were made among the hypertensive patients attending the clinics. Blood pressure control was defined as blood pressure <140/90 mm Hg, and hypertension grades were defined according to the European Society of Cardiology guidelines. A total of 2198 hypertensive patients (58.4±11.8 years; 39.9% men) were included. Uncontrolled hypertension was present in 1692 patients (77.4%), including 1044 (47.7%) with ≥grade 2 hypertension. The proportion of uncontrolled hypertension progressively increased with decreasing level of patient individual wealth, respectively, 72.8%, 79.3%, and 81.8% (P for trend, <0.01). Stratified analysis shows that these differences of uncontrolled hypertension according to individual wealth index were observed in low-income countries (P for trend, 0.03) and not in middle-income countries (P for trend, 0.26). In low-income countries, the odds of uncontrolled hypertension increased 1.37-fold (odds ratio, 1.37 [0.99-1.90]) and 1.88-fold (odds ratio, 1.88 [1.10-3.21]) in patients with middle and low individual wealth as compared with high individual wealth. Similarly, the grade of hypertension increased progressively with decreasing level of individual patient wealth (P for trend, <0.01). Strategies for hypertension control in Sub-Saharan Africa should especially focus on people in the lowest individual wealth groups who also reside in low-income countries.

[Isolated double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV): a case study conducted at the National University Hospital CNHU-HKM in Cotonou, Benin]. / Ventricule droit à double chambre (VDDC) isolé: à propos d'un cas au CNHU, Cotonou, Bénin.

Double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV) is a very rare cardiac defect in which the right ventricle is divided by anomalous muscle bundle into two chambers. It is associated with other malformations in 80-90% of cases. Clinical presentation varies and depends on the extent of the intraventricular obstruction. We here report the case of a 16-year old teenager with isolated DCRV revealed by recurrent syncopes. The diagnosis was made using Doppler echocardiography. The patient underwent successful surgical resection of the abnormal muscle band.

Profil lipidique des patients traités par statines en service de cardiologie, CNHU, Bénin. Les objectifs cibles de LDL-C sont-ils atteints ?

Introduction : Les maladies cardiovasculaires sont une cause majeure d'incapacité et de décès prématurés à l'échelle mondiale et les dyslipidémies représentent un facteur de risque majeur d'athérosclérose. Le but est d'évaluer l'atteinte des objectifs de LDL-C chez les patients traités par statines dans le service de cardiologie du CNHU-HKM de Cotonou.Méthode : Il s'agit d'une étude rétrospective, portant sur la période du 1er juin 2013 au 31 décembre 2014, nous avons inclus de façon exhaustive les patients de plus 18 ans, hospitalisés et traités par statines. Les données cliniques, biologiques, thérapeutiques et évolutives ont été révisées et une stratification de risque basée les tables SCORE (Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation) a été faite à postériori.Les taux de LDL-C des patients ont été comparés aux cibles de LDL-C retenues par les recommandations de l'European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 2011. La valeur de p<0,05 est retenu comme seuil de significative.Résultats : Sur 551 patients hospitalisés, 130 patients étaient traités par statines. L'âge moyen est de 60,01 ±12,78 ans, le sex ratio H/F est de 1,65. Chez 53,8% des patients on retrouvait une dyslipidémie avec 40% d'hypercholestérolémie. Les autres facteurs de risque athéromateux étaient dominés par l'HTA (72,3%). Le niveau de RCV était élevé chez 93,8% des patients à l'instauration des statines. La prescription des statines était principalement faite en prévention secondaire. L'objectif de LDL-C cible n'était pas atteint chez 61% des patients. La valeur seuil du LDL-C initiale ≥ 1,6 g/l était prédictive de non atteinte de l'objectif LDL-C. Conclusion : Les objectifs cibles de LDL-C sont atteints chez moins de 4 patients sur 10 dans notre série. Notre étude suggère la nécessité de mettre en place des stratégies appropriées pour l'atteinte des objectifs de LDL-C au cours du traitement par statines

Management of arterial hypertension in Cotonou city, Benin: general practitioners' knowledge, attitudes and practice.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the management of hypertensive patients by general practitioners in Cotonou city. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study based on a multicentre survey conducted from 1 May to 31 July 2011. We recruited all consenting general practitioners who worked in public and private centres in Cotonou city. We used the 7th report of the Joint National Committee to assess the management of hypertension by general practitioners. A tested and validated self-questionnaire was used to collect the data on hypertension management by general practitioners. RESULTS: In eight centres that approved the study, 41 general practitioners were included. The definition of hypertension was known by 20 (48.8%) practitioners. Only 25 (61.0%) could describe the conditions for blood pressure measurement. Ten of them were unable to list half of the minimum recommended tests for hypertension, and the majority (92.7%) did not have any idea of global cardiovascular risk. The blood pressure goal was known by only 18 (43.9%) practitioners. Lifestyle (82.9%) and monotherapy (70.7%) were the therapeutic modalities most prescribed. Antihypertensive agents commonly used by practitioners were calcium channel blockers (82.9%), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (53.7%) and diuretics (36.6%). The general practitioners referred their patients to cardiologists mainly for uncontrolled hypertension (63.4%) and the onset of acute complications (56.1%). CONCLUSION: The general practitioners' knowledge of hypertension was insufficient and their management did not reflect international guidelines.