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Introduction: Chronic venous disease is a global public health problem, with high morbidity and economic distress. There is scarcity of data on this disease in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: We conducted the first population-based study over a period of 20 months from 1st February 2020 to 30th September 2021 in the 10 regions of Cameroon. A stratify sampling method was chose to select study site. Socio-demographic data, personal and family history, anthropometric parameters, clinical signs, illustrative images, CEAP (Clinical-Etiological-Anatomical-Pathophysiological) classification revised in 2004, VCSS (venous Clinical Severity Score) and risk factor assessment score were used to construct the survey form. Chi-squared test and Fischer exact test were used to compare the prevalence of chronic venous disease across different potential risk factors (sex, age category, previous history of deep vein thrombosis, hypertension, diabetes, smoking status, obesity). Simple and multiple logistic regression models were used to obtain crude and adjusted odds ratio for risk factors associated with chronic venous insufficiency. Statistical analyses were done with R version 4.2 for Linux and the threshold for statistical significance was 0.05. Results: A total of 6578 participants were included in the study, with a mean age of 41.09 ± 16.02 years with female predominance (54.3%). The prevalence of chronic venous disease was 21.8% (95% CI: 20.8–22.9) and the prevalence of chronic venous insufficiency (C3–C6) was 7.02% (n = 462). Night cramps (43.2%), oedema (21.7%), lower limbs pain (20.4%) mostly worsens by walking and heavy legs (16.2%) were more common symptoms. The mean total venous clinical severity score was 0.69 ± 1.76 and this score had a significant positive correlation with C classification (p <.001). In the multivariate analysis, the following factors were independently associated with CVD: Male gender (aOR: 1.27; 95%CI: 1.04–1.56; p =.021), retired people (aOR: 46.9; 95% CI: 12.6–174.5; p <.001), hypertension (aOR: 289.5; 95%CI: 169.69–493.1; p <.001), diabetes (aOR: 2.19; 95% CI: 1.21–3.96; p =.009), obesity (aOR: 10.22; 95%CI: 7.67–13.62; p <.001). Smoking appears as a protective factor (aOR: 0.18; 95%CI: 0.10–0.30; p <.001). Conclusion: Chronic venous disease is frequent in Cameroon and main traditional cardiovascular risk factors are associated to this condition. Systematic screening of the CVD in these specific groups could reduce the burden of the disease and its economic impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective: To evaluate the role of peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) through speckle tracking 2D echocardiography for the assessment of structural and functional left atrial (LA) remodeling in a type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) population. Methodology: We conducted a cross‐sectional study during a 9‐month period. T2DM adults aged 18 and above were included. The variables assessed during the study include age and gender of participants, diabetes characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors, clinical anthropometric and hemodynamic parameters, standard echocardiographic parameters, volume‐derived LA functions, and 2D PALS. Results: We included a total of 102 patients. The mean age was 58 ± 11.7 years, and the M/F sex ratio was 1:1.5. Coexistent arterial hypertension (HTN) was observed in more than half (59.8%) of the population sample. Mean 2D PALS was 29.2 ± 8.9% with 58.8% (95% CI: 50.0–68.6) of subjects having a reduced LA strain (ie,<32%). Reservoir and pump functions were the most altered LA volumetric phasic functions. Mean indexed LA maximal volume was 22.2 ± 6.8 mL/m2. There was a significant association between abnormal PALS and age, Body mass index (BMI), indexed LA volume, E/E' ratio, LA active ejection fraction (pump function), and LA expansion index (reservoir function). Conclusion: Left atrial remodeling is a recurrent condition in adult T2DM Cameroonians. The reservoir and pump LA functions were the most affected. Assessment of LA global strain allows early detection of LA remodeling with comparison to LA size standard analyses. Age, BMI, indexed LA volume, E/E' ratio, and reservoir and pump LA functions were associated to 2D LA global strain impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients on maintenance hemodialysis. We investigated the pattern and correlates of cardiac lesions in a group of Cameroonians on chronic hemodialysis. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the Yaoundé General Hospital's hemodialysis unit, involving 45 patients (29 men, 64%) on maintenance hemodialysis for at least three months using a native arterio-venous fistula. Cardiovascular risk factors, biological, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic data were collected. Results: Hypertension (29%), chronic glomerulonephritis (24%) and diabetes mellitus (24%) were the main etiological factors of chronic kidney disease. Blood pressure was controlled in 14 (31%) patients. Nineteen (42%) patients had anemia and 5 (14%) had a calcium-phosphorus product >55 mg²/dl². All patients had at least one cardiovascular risk factors with hypertension (95%), anemia (42%) and highcalcium-phosphorus product (42%) being the most frequent. Thirty-eight (84%) patients had at least one cardiac lesion and 11 (29%) had three or more lesions. The cardiac lesions were left ventricular hypertrophy (60%), valvular calcifications (38%), heart failure (36%), conduction disorders (33%), pericardial effusion (13%), valvular diseases (11%) and ischemic heart diseases (2%). Left ventricular hypertrophy was significantly associated with a longer duration on dialysis and low hemoglobin level (both p<0.047) while cardiac failure and valvular calcifications were associated with advanced age and high interdialytic weight gain (both p <0.05). Conclusion: Cardiac lesions and cardiovascular risk factors are frequent in these patients receiving sub-optimal dose maintenance hemodialysis despite their younger age, suggesting an increased susceptibility to cardiovascular complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Little is known about the renal profiles of individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) in equatorial Africa, the global epicenter of SCD. We evaluated the kidney function, urinalysis abnormalities and their correlates in a group of Cameroonians homozygous for SCD. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of 4-month duration involving 72 homozygous SCD patients (39 men, 54%), recruited during routine visit or vaso-occlusive crisis at the Yaoundé Central Hospital in Cameroon. Clinical and laboratory data were used to evaluate the renal and urinalysis parameters, and potential effects of SCD-related clinical and hematological variables on those parameters investigated through linear and logistic regression models. Results The mean serum creatinine increased with increasing age, translating into a decreasing estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with age (P < 0.001). One patient (1.4%) had an eGFR of <60 mL/min and nine others (12.5%) had 60 ≤ eGFR ≤ 90 mL/min. The eGFR was lower in women and decreased with increasing systolic blood pressure. The prevalence of proteinuria (>200 mg/g) was 93% and the main urinalysis abnormalities were leukocyturia (77.8%), albuminuria (40.3%), hematuria (13.9%) and cristalluria (9.7%). None of the predictive clinical, hematological and urinary factors studied was associated with proteinuria or albuminuria, while hematuria and leukocyturia were associated with increasing age and male gender. Conclusions Cameroonians homozygous for SCD present a high prevalence of proteinuria and urinalysis abnormalities, and a slight renal impairment. Age, blood pressure variables and gender seem to be the main determinants. Urinalysis abnormalities and kidney function assessment should be an active pursuit in women with SCD. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aim: The present study aims to describe the epidemiology, clinical and therapeutic aspects of chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) in Cameroonian cardiology setting in order to highlight the current state of practice to guide efficient epidemiological interventions., Method: We retrospectively analyzed over 10 years [2010; 2019] the records of patients hospitalized in two cardiology units of referral hospitals in the city of Yaoundé., Result: Of the 2756 records retrieved, 47 (1.7%) had CCS according to the 2019 European Society of Cardiology guidelines, with an average age of 58 ± 12 years, and 63.8% were men. The most common cardiovascular risk factors found were hypertension (78.7%), overweight or obesity (84.9%), dyslipidemias (80.9%), smoking (68.1%), and diabetes (67.7%). Chest pain on exertion (74.5%) and exertional dyspnea (70.2%) were the main symptoms. Repolarization disorders (83%) were the most frequent ECG signs; necrosis sequelae were found on ECG in 34% of cases and rhythm disorders in 21.3%. The therapeutic modalities were essentially anti-platelet (95.7%), statins (91.5%), beta blockers (89.4%), and converting enzyme blockers (70.2%). Interventional treatments were rarely performed (2.1%)., Conclusion: Although chronic coronary syndrome are uncommon in cardiology hospitalization in Cameroon, it is essential that public health policies work to improve the current state of care particularly interventional care., (Le comité de rédaction se réserve le droit de renvoyer aux auteurs avant toute soumission à l'avis des lecteurs les manuscrits qui ne seraient pas conformes à ces modalités de présentation. En outre il leur conseille de conserver un exemplaire du manuscrit, des figures et des tableaux.)

Background: Cardiovascular disease is an increasingly important issue in human immunodeficiency viral (HIV)-infected individuals. There is dearth of information on the patterns of cardiovascular disease especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) patients. This study reports on the clinical, biological, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic characteristics of a group of HIV-infected patients presenting with symptoms of heart disease in Yaoundé, Cameroon., Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the Yaoundé Central Hospital and Jamot Hospital. Consenting HIV-infected adults aged ≥18 years with symptoms suggestive of heart disease were consecutively recruited between February and July 2014. All participants underwent a complete clinical examination; biological analyses including CD4 cell counts, fasting blood glucose, and serum lipids, resting electrocardiography and cardiac ultrasound, and a venous ultrasound where necessary., Results: Forty four subjects (21 men) were included. Their mean age was 48 (SD 13) years. Thirty patients (68.2%) were in WHO clinical stages 3 and 4 of HIV infection, 27 (61.4%) had a CD4 cell count <200/mm(3), and 31 (70.5%) were on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Hypertension (43.2%, n=19) was the most frequent cardiovascular risk factor; and dyslipidemia which was found in 17 subjects (38.6%) was significantly associated with ART (48.4% vs. 15.4%, P=0.04). Only men where smokers (23% vs. 0%, P=0.019). Exertional dyspnea (86.4%, n=38) and cough (59.1%, n=26) were the most frequent symptoms, and the clinical presentation was dominated by heart failure (75%, n=33). The most frequent echocardiographic abnormalities were pericardial effusion (45.5%, n=20) and dilated cardiomyopathy (22.7%, n=10). Dilated cardiomyopathy was significantly associated with CD4 cell counts <200/mm(3) (100%, P=0.003). Primary pulmonary hypertension (PH) rate was 11.4% (n=5) and all cases occurred at CD4 cell counts ≥200/mm(3) (P=0.005). The most frequent electrocardiographic abnormalities were abnormal repolarization (59%, n=26) and sinus tachycardia (56.8%, n=25)., Conclusions: Cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension and dyslipidemia are common in HIV-infected adults with heart disease in our milieu. Advanced HIV infection in adults is associated with a high rate of symptomatic heart disease, mostly effusive pericarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy. Primary PH occurred in less advanced HIV disease.