Background:Changing epidemiologic profile with increase in cardiovascular risk factors is well documented in literature. Our study sought to see how this is reflected in cardiovascular admissions into medical wards of a Nigerian and an Israeli hospital.Objective:To compare the range and pattern of cardiovascular admissions encountered in a Nigerian hospital and an Israel hospital.Methods:This was a retrospective study of admission records of patients admitted into both Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria, and Sheba Medical Centre, Israel.Results:Ischemic heart disease (IHD) was the most prevalent among the Israeli hospital's admissions but ranks very low as an indication for admission in Nigeria. The most common causes of admission in Nigeria were hypertension and heart failure (HF). The spectrum of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) was very limited in the Nigerian hospital, indicating disparity in diagnostic capacity.Conclusion:There were more patients with CVD as a cause of medical admission in the Israel hospital as compared to the Nigerian hospital. Hypertension and HF were prevalent indications for CVD in FMC, Umuahia, Nigeria, while hypertension and IHD were the prevalent indications for admission in Sheba Medical Centre, Israel. Future studies are needed to monitor spectrum and frequency of cardiovascular admissions in view of evolving epidemiological transition in developing countries.
BackgroundProlonged corrected QT (QTc) has been identified as a risk factor for malignant arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Caucasian studies have shown a definite relationship between QTc prolongation and Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy (CAN) in diabetic subjects.ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of prolonged QTc in Black diabetic individuals with CAN and to ascertain how prolonged QTc correlated with the severity of CAN among these patients.MethodsA total of 176 adult diabetic subjects were studied, 87 males and 89 females. There was a control group of non-diabetic individuals. Cardiac autonomic function was assessed using five cardiovascular autonomic function tests. CAN was diagnosed if 2 or more of these tests were abnormal. Severity of CAN was determined according to the number of abnormal tests. QTc > 0.440 was regarded as prolonged.ResultsFifty-one out of the 176 diabetic subjects (29%) had CAN. The prevalence of prolonged QTc in diabetic subjects with CAN was 12%. QTc was prolonged in 1.6% and 0.6% of diabetic individuals without CAN and controls respectively. Although QTc correlated strongly with cardiac autonomic function neuropathy, there was no definite relationship between QTc prolongation and severity of CAN.ConclusionThis study in a Black population is in agreement with the well-known relationship between QTc prolongation and CAN reported in Caucasian studies. In view of the wide variability of QTc in this study population, it is suggested that relative QTc increase may be a better indicator of CAN than a definite QTc prolongation of greater than 0.440.
Background:Thromboembolic and hypercoagulable diseases are common life-threatening but treatable problems in hospital practice. Fortunately, anticoagulation is an efficacious management practice indicated for arterial, venous, and intracardiac thromboembolism. Clinicians in developing countries may have gaps in their knowledge of anticoagulation therapy/prophylaxis which could affect their clinical decision.Objectives:The study examined the knowledge and attitude of clinicians to anticoagulation therapy/prophylaxis in some tertiary hospitals in Nigeria.Methodology:The study was a multicenter survey. A pretested questionnaire was administered to clinicians in six tertiary hospitals in Southeast Nigeria.Results:A total of 528 questionnaires were returned by 419 (79.4%) residents and 109 (20.6%) consultants. We observed significant abysmal knowledge and lack of awareness of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) among most respondents irrespective of their job grades (P = 0.02, odds ratio [OR] 0.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.38–0.90). Their knowledge of anti-Xa assay as laboratory monitoring tool was also significantly inadequate (P = 0.001, OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.10–0.51). On statement analysis on their attitude to anticoagulation therapy/prophylaxis, “Do you think anticoagulation therapy/prophylaxis is clinically relevant” had the highest mean of 4.60, P = 0.01, and a high degree of agreement; while “Should hospital inpatient with > 3 days admission routinely receive anticoagulation/prophylaxis?” had the lowest mean of 2.27, P = 0.02, and a low degree of agreement.Conclusion:There is the need to upscale knowledge of anticoagulation agents and an attitude change to anticoagulation therapy/prophylaxis, especially on the DOACs through continuing medical education activities in emerging countries such as Nigeria.
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