Cardiovascular risk factors in a hospital setting in Northern Cameroon : A Cross-Sectional Study at Garoua General Hospital

Abstract

Objective: Describe the profile of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) among patients hospitalized in the Internal Medicine Department of Garoua General Hospital (HGG).

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study over a two-year period in the Internal Medicine Department of HGG. All fully completed medical records of hospitalized patients in this department were included, while incomplete records were excluded. Sociodemographic data, clinical information, and CVRFs were recorded using a pre-designed electronic questionnaire and analyzed with Epi Info version 7.2.6.0.

Results: A total of 207 medical records meeting the inclusion criteria were collected, with a male predominance (59.9%) and a mean age of 59.5±12.9 years. Cameroonian nationality was the most represented (89.8%), and the most frequently encountered specialties were cardiology (39.1%) and endocrinology (30.4%). The non-modifiable CVRFs identified included male sex (59.9%), age ≥50 years in men (49.7%), age ≥60 years in women (20.7%), and menopause (27.5%). The modifiable CVRFs observed were hypertension (75.8%), physical inactivity (75.9%), diabetes mellitus (55.5%), LDL-cholesterol above target levels (43.9%), glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min (35.7%), asymptomatique hyperuricemia or gout (36%), HDL-cholesterol below target levels (29.5%), obesity (29.5%), tobacco and alcohol use (14%). Primary prevention accounted for the majority of patients (79.7%).

Conslusion: Cardiovascular risk factors were frequently observed in our study. Comprehensive management of hospitalized patients could significantly reduce the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality encountered in our setting.