Study of the Frequency of Cardiovascular Diseases and Their Risk Factors in the Emergency Units of Two Hospitals in Dakar (Senegal)

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases constitute the deadliest pathology in the world with 31% of global mortality in 2018. This is how we felt it necessary to conduct a study on cardiovascular diseases in emergency units of Senegal, more precisely in Dakar, in order to know epidemiological profile of these patients. Methods: The study setting was the reception and emergency units of the Hôpital de Pikine and Hôpital Principal de Dakar. This was an observational, descriptive cross-sectional study with an analytical aim to search for factors associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular disease. The study ran from January 25th to February 5th, 2018 at the Hôpital de Pikine and from February 25th to March 5th, 2018 at Hôpital Principal de Dakar. The source population consisted of patients over 18 years of age and not in a state of pregnancy, who were been received there and had given their free and informed consent to participate in the survey. A representative sample had drawn and a consecutive recruitment of eligible patients were been carried out. The data collection tools were been based on the WHO STEPwise survey questionnaire. Data collection was been carried out in accordance with ethical rules. Results: The study involved 615 patients. The proportions of sedentary lifestyle, low daily consumption of fruits/vegetables, overweight and obesity were 72.4%, 96.4%, 22.7% and 17.3% respectively. This was 55.5% of women who had a waist circumference that corresponded to a high risk of a cardiovascular event and 10.2% for men. 38.9% of patients had blood pressure above 140/90mmhg and 32.2% said they had never controlled their blood pressure in their life. The use of a consultation in a health structure to control his blood pressure was by far the most frequent modality with 61.4%. The proportion of people with cardiovascular disease was 50.1%. Hypertensive flare-ups/hypertensive emergencies were the leading complications diagnosed with 33.33%. Factors associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular disease were sex, age, professional status and body mass index. Discussion & Conclusion: The risk factors for cardiovascular disease are highly represented in our emergency units. In addition to the available care offer, the identification of factors associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases in patients who are been seen there will allow targeted preventive actions within this fragile and vulnerable population. All this to help achieve target 3.4 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Furthermore, according to the associated factors identified, it appears that achieving SDG 8 will greatly contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular disease. This proves the urgency and interest of an integrated multi-ministerial vision in our strategic plans for the prevention against major non-communicable diseases and cardiovascular diseases in particular.