Browsing by Author "Abdi, Sibte M."

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    Left ventricular hypertrophy among hypertensive adults attending cardiac clinics in public regional referral hospitals in Dar es Salaam
    (Kairuki University, 2025) Abdi, Sibte M.
    Background: Tanzania is undergoing a rapid demographic and epidemiologic transition process. Cardiovascular diseases and in particular hypertensive heart disease are among the commonest and most rapid growing health insults in Tanzania’s morbidity statistics. There are however gaps in literature on predictors and pathophysiological mechanisms of hypertensive heart diseases in Tanzania. Objective: To determine the proportion of left ventricular hypertrophy and its associated predictors and risk factors among adult patients with hypertension attending cardiac clinics in public regional referral hospitals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Research question: What is the distribution of left ventricular hypertrophy among adult with hypertension attending Dar es Salaam regional referral hospitals? Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive hospital-based study conducted at public regional referral hospital in Dar es Salaam city. Adults with electrocardiographic and echo-based evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy was the study population. Simple random sampling method was used to get the representative sample for the study. Prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy was the outcome/dependent variable. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, physical examinations, electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography (ECHO), and lipid profiling. Echocardiographic LVH was defined as interventricular septal or left ventricular posterior wall thickness ≥11 mm in diastole. A binary multivariable logistic regression model was used to derive statistical findings in data. Unless otherwise stated, an α-level of 5% will be used to limit type 1 error rates in findings. All participants signed a written informed consent prior to inclusion into the study.   Results: A total of 280 patients with hypertension participated in this study. The mean age was 61.2 years SD 13.9 years. Majority of the study participants were female 78.9%. 162 participants (57.9%) were found to have LVH on echocardiographic examination. On Multivariate logistic regression analysis study participants with Age ≥65years (OR) 3.1 (CI) 1.6-5.96, waist circumference ≥ 40 inches (OR) 2.4 (CI) 1.2-5.1 had significant positive association with LVH. Adherence to antihypertensive medications had 96% protection against developing LVH. As an individual risk Triglycerides ≥1.7mmol (OR) 1.84 (CI) 1.04-3.26 had positive association with LVH. Amongst the study participants found to have positive LVH 14.6% had heart failure, 9.6% had AFIB, 2.5% had PAC, 4.6% had PVC, 17.9% has LBBB, 4.6% had RBBB, 4.6% had 1st degree heart block, 1.8% had 3rd degree heart block, 10.7% had tachycardia, 4.6% had bradycardia. Conclusion: Left ventricular hypertrophy was highly prevalent among hypertensive patients in this study, affecting more than half of the participants. Advanced age (≥65 years), increased waist circumference, and elevated triglyceride levels were independently associated with LVH, highlighting the role of both metabolic and demographic factors in cardiac remodeling. Strong adherence to antihypertensive therapy demonstrated a significant protective effect against LVH, emphasizing the importance of sustained blood pressure control. Patients with LVH also exhibited notable rates of cardiac arrhythmias and conduction abnormalities, underscoring the clinical burden and potential complications associated with LVH. Strengthening strategies for early detection, risk-factor modification, and medication adherence may help reduce the development and consequences of LVH among hypertensive individuals.