Cardiovascular Risk Factors among Outpatients: An Alarming Sign of the Epidemiological Transition in Developing Country?

Background: Noncommunicable diseases are the leading cause of death in the world and low and middle-income countries suffer from preventable premature death. The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors for non- communicable disease (NCDs) in general and particular cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) among the outpatients of our department of medicine. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study from April to December 2017 by the consecutive enrollment of outpatients who attended in our department of medicine of Hôpital Sominé DOLO de Mopti, Mali. Clinical and laboratory data were measured for cardiovascular risk assessment. Framingham Risk Score (FRS) and Systemic Coronary Risk Estimation (SCORES) were computed by using Framingham and SCORE equations. Metabolic syndrome was defined using the harmonized criteria from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (AHA/NHLBI). Data were captured in excel and analyzed with R version 4.0.3. The statistical significance was set at p = 0.05. Results: A total of 292 patients were enrolled in this study. The prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors was 36.64%, 21.57%, 14.04%, and 13.01% for high blood pressure, hyperglycemia, smoking, and alcohol consumption, respectively. The metabolic syndrome accounted for 23.63%. The mean body mass index was 26.10 ± 7 kg/m2. The overall 10-year risk for cardiovascular events or death was 26.3% and 8.6% according to the FRS and SCORE equation, respectively. The 10-year risk of cardiovascular events according to the FRS was significantly higher in subjects aged 50 and above compared to subjects aged under 50 years, 34.46% vs 13.16%, p < 0.001. Likewise, the 10-year risk for cardiovascular death according to SCORE equation was also significantly higher in subjects aged 50 and above compared to subjects under 50 years, 9.43% vs 2.09%, p = 0.02. Regarding gender, the FRS was significantly higher in men compared to women 49.50% vs 7.84%, p < 0.001. This same trend was observed with the SCORE, 14.67% vs 4.13%, p = 0.03. Conclusion: Our data corroborate the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in SSA. A comprehensive cardiovascular risk factors assessment should be implemented in all stages of health facilities and a longitudinal follow-up could help shed a light on the epidemiology of NCDs in general and particularly CVDs and thereby improve their control policies in SSA.

Assessment of Common Dental Indices and Need for Periodontal Treatment in the Cardiology Outpatients Unit at the University Hospital Gabriel Touré(UH-GT) in Bamako

Introduction: Little is known through the literature about dental status of patients seen in cardiology department, motivating this study which aims to assess most dental indices of outpatients and the need for periodontal treatment. Methodology: It was a cross-sectional study from November 2016 to April 2017 in the cardiology outpatient unit of the University Hospital Gabriel Touré (UH-GT) in Bamako. Included were all patients with minimum 24 teeth and willing to be involved in the study. History, cardiovascular parameters and dental examination by a resident in Odontostomatology were performed for each patient. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18, quantitative as means and standard deviation (SD) and categorical as proportions. Khi-2 Test, analysis of variance were applied with a significance level set at 0.05. All patients give their verbal consent after being informed about the procedures in the study. Results: Our sample involved 100 patients (66% female, mean age of 54.12 ± 16.150 and patients ≥ 60 years most represented with 50% for male and 37.9 for female patients. Tooth brush use was practiced by 100% and 98.5% respectively for male and female patients and twice daily brushing by 97.1% of male and 97% of female patients. Brushing duration was less than 3 minutes for 35.3% and 31.8% of respectively male and female patients. Plaque index and calculus index were in the male group with respectively 0.79 and 1.06 for male and 0.63 and 0.79 for female (p = 0.047 and 0.020). Mean Decayed Missed and Filled Teeth (DFMT) index showed a significantly increase from 0.22 in the age group under 30 to 0.68 for that other 60 years. Only 2.9% and 9.1% of respectively male and female patients had community paradontal index for treatment needs (CPITN) classe 0. The need for treatment was TN1 meaning instruction to an oral cavity hygiene, similar for both sex (55.9 and 57.6 respectively for male and female patients) and highest in the age-group 30 - 44 increased to 70%. The need for professional intervention in oral cavity was higher for men and higher for patients aged 45 - 59 and ≥60 years. Conclusion: Drawing attention of practitioners on the additional risk of bad periodontal conditions and education on a broad basis already in the school must be part of a preventive program in order to have a code 0 as goal.

Pediatric Hypertension (HTN) Assessed by Various Methods: A Study among Pediatric Inpatients in University Hospital Gabriel Touré(UH-GT)

Introduction: It is known for decades that a correlation among child blood pressure and adult pressure exist. There are few publications on Hypertension (HTN) in pediatric area. We therefore conducted this study to estimate the extension of HTN among children and looking for associated factors. Methods: Blood pressure was assessed using the references released by the National institutes of health in the United States, those of the French Society of Pediatric Nephrology and z-score. We used the auscultation method with appropriate cuff adapted to the child’s upper arm. We got for each arm 3 blood pressure measures taken children seated or lying on the back and mean blood pressure was calculated and used for the evaluation of the pressure level. The arm with the higher blood pressure was considered for the study. Socio-demographical and clinical data were collected anonymously on a formulary and then inserted in a Microsoft Access Database. Analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software using appropriate tests. Results: The study involved 154 patients (boys:girls = 56.5:43.5) aged 3 to 16 years. Patients of 11 years and older made 57.1% of the sample. Most patients suffered from severe malaria (35.1%, glomerular and heart diseases with respectively 16.2% and 9.1%. The global proportion of hypertensive patients was 27%, 39% and 5.2% respectively based on references of the French society of nephrology, those of the 4th report of the NHBPEP and standard deviation. Looking for associated factors with hypertension the logistic regression found no predictor for hypertension using pressure cut-offs values based on the French society of nephrology and those of the 4th report of the National High Blood Pressure Education Programm (NHBPEP). Conclusion: Children must be checked for hypertension to avoid organ damage and later cardiovascular complications. Blood pressure assessment should be preferably done on outpatients as the role of the stressful hospitalization environment can be attenuated.