Risk factors for heart failure in adult Nigerians

Risk factors of heart failure among patients with hypertension attending a tertiary hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria: The RISK-HHF case-control study

Aim

Hypertension is the leading cause of heart failure (HF) in sub-Saharan Africa. Preventive public health approach to reduce the scourge of HF must seek to understand the risk factors of HF in at-risk populations. The aim of this study was to characterize the risk factors of HF among patients with hypertension attending a cardiology clinic.

Methods and results

One hundred and one (101) case-control age- and sex-matched pairs were recruited. The study population were adults with a clinical diagnosis of hypertensive HF (cases) and individuals with systemic hypertension without HF. They were interviewed and evaluated for cardiovascular risk factors. Associations between variables were tested with chi square test, Fisher’s exact test and independent sample t test as appropriate. Logistic regression modelling was used to determine the independent risk factors of hypertensive HF (HHF) in the study population while ‘punafcc’ package in stata12 was used to calculate the population attributable fraction (PAF) of the risk factors. Suboptimal medication adherence was the strongest adverse risk factor of HHF (medium adherence aOR: 3.53, 95%CI: 1.35–9.25; low adherence aOR: 9.44, 95%CI: 3.41–26.10) with a PAF of 67% followed by dipstick proteinuria (aOR: 4.22, 95%CI: 1.62–11.02; PAF: 34%) and alcohol consumption/day per 10grams (aOR: 1.23, 95%CI: 1.02–1.49; PAF: 22%). The protective risk factors of HHF were use of calcium channel blockers (aOR 0.25, 95%CI: 0.11–0.59; PAF: 59%), then daily fruits and vegetable consumption (aOR 0.41, 95%CI: 0.17–1.01; PAF: 46%), and eGFR (aOR 0.98, 95%CI: 0.96–0.99; PAF: 5.3%).

Conclusions

The risk factors of HHF are amenable to lifestyle and dietary changes. Public health interventions and preventive cardiovascular care to improve medication adherence, promote fruit and vegetable consumption and reduce alcohol consumption among patients with hypertension are recommended. Renoprotection has utility in the prevention of HF among hypertensives.

'I think one of the ways they will help is to create awareness': primary school teachers' perceptions of cardiovascular diseases in Nigeria

The increasing incidence and prevalence of non-communicable diseases is a major global health concern. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) account for the highest percentage of deaths related to non-communicable diseases, and low and middle-income countries (LMIC) face the highest burden of CVDs. Understanding the knowledge and perception of CVDs and their risk factors in an LMIC such as Nigeria may play an important role in cardiovascular health promotion and improvement plans to reduce CVD-related deaths. A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews to gain an in-depth understanding of some personal and sociocultural views on CVDs and their risk factors. The participants were purposively sampled primary school teachers in South-Eastern Nigeria. Thematic analysis approach was used for data analysis. The study findings include knowledge of heart disease, perceived causes and risk factors of CVDs, spirituality, and the way forward. Overall, the knowledge of CVDs in the setting was found to be related to the psychosocial nature of the participants; the effectiveness of any intervention needs to take these factors into consideration. For example, health policies for CVD health education and awareness should be tailored to address some of the issues of belief, values, and religion, as mentioned in the study.

Economic burden of heart failure: investigating outpatient and inpatient costs in Abeokuta, Southwest Nigeria

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a deadly, disabling and often costly syndrome world-wide. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of data describing its economic impact in sub Saharan Africa; a region in which the number of relatively younger cases will inevitably rise.

Methods: Heath economic data were extracted from a prospective HF registry in a tertiary hospital situated in Abeokuta, southwest Nigeria. Outpatient and inpatient costs were computed from a representative cohort of 239 HF cases including personnel, diagnostic and treatment resources used for their management over a 12-month period. Indirect costs were also calculated. The annual cost per person was then calculated.

Results: Mean age of the cohort was 58.0±15.1 years and 53.1% were men. The total computed cost of care of HF in Abeokuta was 76, 288,845 Nigerian Naira (US$508, 595) translating to 319,200 Naira (US$2,128 US Dollars) per patient per year. The total cost of in-patient care (46% of total health care expenditure) was estimated as 34,996,477 Naira (about 301,230 US dollars). This comprised of 17,899,977 Naira- 50.9% ($US114,600) and 17,806,500 naira −49.1%($US118,710) for direct and in-direct costs respectively. Out-patient cost was estimated as 41,292,368 Naira ($US 275,282). The relatively high cost of outpatient care was largely due to cost of transportation for monthly follow up visits. Payments were mostly made through out-of-pocket spending.

Conclusion: The economic burden of HF in Nigeria is particularly high considering, the relatively young age of affected cases, a minimum wage of 18,000 Naira ($US120) per month and considerable component of out-of-pocket spending for those affected. Health reforms designed to mitigate the individual to societal burden imposed by the syndrome are required.

Predictors of rehospitalization in patients admitted with heart failure in Abeokuta, Nigeria: data from the Abeokuta heart failure registry

OBJECTIVE

We sought, for the first time, to examine the rate and predictors of hospital readmission in patients discharged after an episode of heart failure (HF) in Nigeria.

METHODS

This was a hospital-based, prospective, observational study that used the data from the Abeokuta HF Registry.

RESULTS

Overall, 1.53% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58-4.02) and 12.2% (95% CI 8.88-16.8) of patients were re-hospitalized at least once within 30 days and 6 months, respectively (5.3% had multiple readmissions); the latter comprised 21/138 men (15.2%) and 11/124 (8.9%) women. A total of 11 (4.2%) died (all of whom had been rehospitalized). Worsening HF (24 cases, 75%) was the commonest reason for readmission. Among others, factors associated with rehospitalization included presence of mitral regurgitation (odds ratio [OR] 2.37, 95% CI 1.26-4.46), age ≥ 60 years (OR 2.04, 95% CI 0.96-3.29), presence of tricuspid regurgitation (OR 1.77, 95% CI 0.86-3.61), and presence of atrial fibrillation (OR 1.34, 95% CI 0.59-3.03). However, on an adjusted basis, only female sex (adjusted OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.14-0.79; P = .014 vs male) and body mass index <19 kg/m² (adjusted OR 3.74, 95% CI 1.15-12.16; P = .028 vs ≥ 19 kg/m²) were independent correlates of readmission during 6 months' follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

HF rehospitalization within 6 months' follow-up occurred in ∼12% of our cohort living an environment where HF etiology is predominately nonischemic and the HF population is relatively younger. Higher rates of readmission were noted in those with older age, lower body mass index, low literacy, lower serum sodium level, and presence of atrial fibrillation, renal dysfunction, and valvular dysfunction.

Heart failure care in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Heart failure places a significant burden on patients and health systems in high-income countries. However, information about its burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is scant. We thus set out to review both published and unpublished information on the presentation, causes, management, and outcomes of heart failure in LMICs.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

Medline, Embase, Global Health Database, and World Health Organization regional databases were searched for studies from LMICs published between 1 January 1995 and 30 March 2014. Additional unpublished data were requested from investigators and international heart failure experts. We identified 42 studies that provided relevant information on acute hospital care (25 LMICs; 232,550 patients) and 11 studies on the management of chronic heart failure in primary care or outpatient settings (14 LMICs; 5,358 patients). The mean age of patients studied ranged from 42 y in Cameroon and Ghana to 75 y in Argentina, and mean age in studies largely correlated with the human development index of the country in which they were conducted (r = 0.71, p<0.001). Overall, ischaemic heart disease was the main reported cause of heart failure in all regions except Africa and the Americas, where hypertension was predominant. Taking both those managed acutely in hospital and those in non-acute outpatient or community settings together, 57% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 49%-64%) of patients were treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, 34% (95% CI: 28%-41%) with beta-blockers, and 32% (95% CI: 25%-39%) with mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. Mean inpatient stay was 10 d, ranging from 3 d in India to 23 d in China. Acute heart failure accounted for 2.2% (range: 0.3%-7.7%) of total hospital admissions, and mean in-hospital mortality was 8% (95% CI: 6%-10%). There was substantial variation between studies (p<0.001 across all variables), and most data were from urban tertiary referral centres. Only one population-based study assessing incidence and/or prevalence of heart failure was identified.

CONCLUSIONS

The presentation, underlying causes, management, and outcomes of heart failure vary substantially across LMICs. On average, the use of evidence-based medications tends to be suboptimal. Better strategies for heart failure surveillance and management in LMICs are needed. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary.

Contemporary profile of acute heart failure in Southern Nigeria: data from the Abeokuta Heart Failure Clinical Registry

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine the contemporary profile, clinical characteristics, and intrahospital outcomes of acute heart failure (AHF) in an African urban community.

BACKGROUND

There are limited data on the current burden and characteristics of AHF in Nigerian Africans.

METHODS

Comprehensive and detailed clinical and sociodemographic data were prospectively collected from 452 consecutive patients presenting with AHF to the only tertiary hospital in Abeokuta, Nigeria (population about 1 million) over a 2-year period.

RESULTS

The mean age was 56.6 ± 15.3 years (57.3 ± 13.4 years for men, 55.7 ± 17.1 years for women), and 204 patients (45.1%) were women. Overall, 415 subjects (91.8%) presented with de novo AHF. The most common risk factor for heart failure was hypertension (pre-existing in 64.3% of patients). Type 2 diabetes mellitus was present in 41 patients (10.0%). Hypertensive heart failure was the most common etiological cause of heart failure, responsible for 78.5% of cases. Dilated cardiomyopathy (7.5%), cor pulmonale (4.4%), pericardial disease (3.3%), rheumatic heart disease (2.4%), and ischemic heart disease were less common (0.4%) causes. The majority of subjects (71.2%) presented with left ventricular dysfunction (mean left ventricular ejection fraction 43.9 ± 9.0%), with valvular dysfunction and abnormal left ventricular geometry frequently documented. The mean duration of hospital stay was 11.4 ± 9.1 days, and intrahospital mortality was 3.8%.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with those in high-income countries, patients presenting with AHF in Abeokuta, Nigeria, are relatively younger and still of working age. It is also more common in men and associated with severe symptoms because of late presentation. Intrahospital mortality is similar to that in other parts of the world.

Blood pressure, prevalence of hypertension and hypertension related complications in Nigerian Africans: A review

To review studies on hypertension in Nigeria over the past five decades in terms of prevalence, awareness and treatment and complications. Following our search on Pubmed, African Journals Online and the World Health Organization Global cardiovascular infobase, 1060 related references were identified out of which 43 were found to be relevant for this review. The overall prevalence of hypertension in Nigeria ranges from 8%-46.4% depending on the study target population, type of measurement and cut-off value used for defining hypertension. The prevalence is similar in men and women (7.9%-50.2% vs 3.5%-68.8%, respectively) and in the urban (8.1%-42.0%) and rural setting (13.5%-46.4%).The pooled prevalence increased from 8.6% from the only study during the period from 1970-1979 to 22.5% (2000-2011). Awareness, treatment and control of hypertension were generally low with attendant high burden of hypertension related complications. In order to improve outcomes of cardiovascular disease in Africans, public health education to improve awareness of hypertension is required. Further epidemiological studies on hypertension are required to adequately understand and characterize the impact of hypertension in society.

Dyslipidaemia in patients with established cardiovascular disease in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Dyslipidaemia has been recognized as a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Our objectives were to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies to determine the prevalence of dyslipidaemia among hospitalized adult patients with cardiovascular disease in sub-Saharan Africa and to compare between the various cardiovascular disease types. We searched Internet-based search tools and other sources for studies on dyslipidaemia or hypercholesterolaemia among hospitalized adult patients with established cardiovascular disease in sub-Saharan Africa, from 1985 to May 2011. Established cardiovascular disease was defined as ischaemic heart disease, heart failure, stroke or chronic kidney disease. We then assessed for between-study heterogeneity and carried out sensitivity analyses. Study quality was assessed using Downs and Black Checklist and publication bias was considered present when positive in both Egger's and Begg's tests. Restricted analyses were then performed on data from studies on ischaemic heart disease, heart failure and stroke separately. A total of 451 studies were screened and eventually 16 studies were included with a total of 2584 persons. The overall estimate of dyslipidaemia was 38.38% (95% confidence intervals = 26.75-50.0; I(2 )= 96.878; p < 0.001). The prevalence was highest among those with ischaemic heart disease (49.64%) than among those with stroke (26.53%) or heart failure (15.4%; p-values for all comparisons<0.001). Prevalence of dyslipidaemia in subjects with cardiovascular disease including ischaemic heart disease, stroke and heart failure in sub-Saharan Africa was high and similar to what was obtained in Western Europe and North America; highest in subjects with ischaemic heart disease, followed by those with stroke and heart failure.

An overview of cardiovascular risk factor burden in sub-Saharan African countries: a socio-cultural perspective

Background

Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries are currently experiencing one of the most rapid epidemiological transitions characterized by increasing urbanization and changing lifestyle factors. This has resulted in an increase in the incidence of non-communicable diseases, especially cardiovascular disease (CVD). This double burden of communicable and chronic non-communicable diseases has long-term public health impact as it undermines healthcare systems.

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the socio-cultural context of CVD risk prevention and treatment in sub-Saharan Africa. We discuss risk factors specific to the SSA context, including poverty, urbanization, developing healthcare systems, traditional healing, lifestyle and socio-cultural factors.

Methodology

We conducted a search on African Journals On-Line, Medline, PubMed, and PsycINFO databases using combinations of the key country/geographic terms, disease and risk factor specific terms such as "diabetes and Congo" and "hypertension and Nigeria". Research articles on clinical trials were excluded from this overview. Contrarily, articles that reported prevalence and incidence data on CVD risk and/or articles that report on CVD risk-related beliefs and behaviors were included. Both qualitative and quantitative articles were included.

Results

The epidemic of CVD in SSA is driven by multiple factors working collectively. Lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise and smoking contribute to the increasing rates of CVD in SSA. Some lifestyle factors are considered gendered in that some are salient for women and others for men. For instance, obesity is a predominant risk factor for women compared to men, but smoking still remains mostly a risk factor for men. Additionally, structural and system level issues such as lack of infrastructure for healthcare, urbanization, poverty and lack of government programs also drive this epidemic and hampers proper prevention, surveillance and treatment efforts.

Conclusion

Using an African-centered cultural framework, the PEN3 model, we explore future directions and efforts to address the epidemic of CVD risk in SSA.