Normal limits of electrocardiogram in Africans and their consequences on the prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive individuals: Insights from the TAHES study.

AIMS: To determine normal limits for major ECG variables, and the electrocardiographic impact of hypertension, in a rural sub-Saharan African setting. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included adults aged ≥25 years from Tanvè Health Study (TAHES) cohort. ECG were recorded at rest at 25 mm/s using a standard 12­lead device. Wave amplitudes and durations were measured. Corrected QT interval (QTc) was calculated using Bazett's formula. Sokolow-Lyon, Cornell and Peguero-Lo Presti criteria were determined to assess left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). RESULTS: ECG was recorded among 997 out of 1407 TAHES participants. After exclusion of subjects with hypertension or diabetes, normal limits, defined as the 2nd and 98th percentiles, were evaluated in 622 healthy participants (median: 37 years; 60.1% women). The following limits were established in men (women): heart rate: 50 to 100 (55 to 102) beats/min, P wave duration: 80 to 120 (80 to 120) ms, PR interval: 120 to 200 (120 to 200) ms, QTc: 315 to 470 (323 to 465) ms, QRS duration: 50 to 120 (50 to 110) ms. Upper limits (in millimeter) for the Sokolow-Lyon, Cornell and Peguero-Lo Presti for men (women) were 47 (38), 30 (22) and 39 (30), respectively, all above current reference limits. The prevalence of LVH in hypertensive subjects according to these criteria were lower than those estimated according to current LVH criteria. CONCLUSION: The normal limits of ECG variables determined in this African population differ from those in Caucasians, indicating that ethnicity must be considered in ECG interpretation.

Prevalence and associated factors of hypertension among people living with HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral therapy in Benin's National Teaching Hospital.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has extended the lifespan of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV), exposing them to a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Hypertension (HTN), the primary contributor to CVD burden, is increasingly concerning for PLHIV. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of hypertension in PLHIV on ART at the National Teaching Hospital Hubert Koutoukou Maga (HKM) of Benin using a prospective cross-sectional study conducted between October and December 2021. Patients who had a systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg or/and diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg or/and current use of antihypertensive medication from medical records were considered to have HTN. A total of 352 patients, including 260 women with a sex ratio of 0.3 were included. The mean age was 42.9 ± 11.9 years. Most patients were educated and did not use tobacco. 42.0% were current alcohol drinkers. The duration of ART treatment ranged from 0 to 22 years, with a median duration of 5.0 years. 14.2% were hypertensives with 3.1% newly diagnosed and 11.1% known with hypertension. Age above 40 years, living with a partner, alcohol consumption and body mass index greater than 25 were significantly associated with HTN. HTN in PLHIV is associated with numerous factors. Reducing the burden of the disease in target people in Benin requires a wide range of actions that need to be implemented.