Prevalence of rheumatic heart disease in Senegalese school children: a clinical and echocardiographic screening.

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in schools (locally referred to as 'daaras') located in the city of Dakar and its suburbs using both clinical examination and echocardiography. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study conducted from 9 August to 24 December 2011 involving 2019 pupils, aged between 5 and 18 years selected from the 16 'daaras' of the Academic Inspectorate (Inspection d'Académie) of the city of Dakar and its suburbs. Anamnestic, clinical and echocardiographic data were collected and entered into a questionnaire designed for the study. The World Heart Federation criteria for echocardiographic diagnosis were used to diagnose RHD. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant in bivariate analysis. RESULTS: About 60.1% of the pupils were men and the mean age was 9.7±3.3 years. 10 cases of definite RHD were detected, prevalence being 4.96 per 1000 (95% CI 2.4 to 9.1). This prevalence was five times higher with echocardiographic screening compared with clinical screening. 23 cases (11.4 per 1000) of borderline forms were detected. The populations at risk of definite RHD identified in our study were children over 14 years (p<0.001), those with recurrent sore throat (p=0.003) and those residing in the suburbs of the city of Dakar (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study shows a relatively high prevalence of RHD. Reducing its prevalence should focus on the implementation of appropriate policies, targeting at-risk populations and focusing on raising awareness and early detection.

Prevalence and determinants of hypertension and associated cardiovascular risk factors: data from a population-based, cross-sectional survey in Saint Louis, Senegal.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of cardiovascular disease is growing worldwide and this is of major public health concern. In sub-Saharan Africa, there is a lack of epidemiological data on the prevalence and distribution of risk factors of cardiovascular disease. This study aimed at assessing the prevalence of hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors among an urban Senegalese population. METHODS: Using an adaptation of the WHO STEPwise approach to chronic disease risk-factor surveillance, we conducted a population-based, cross-sectional survey from 3 to 30 May 2010 on 1 424 participants aged over 15 years. Socio-demographic and behavioural risk factors were collected in step 1. Physical anthropometryc measurements and blood pressure were documented in step 2. Blood tests (cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, and creatinine levels) were carried out in step 3. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension was 46% (95% CI: 43.4-48%), with a higher prevalence in females (47.9%) than males (41.7%) (p = 0.015), and 50% of these hypertensive were previously undiagnosed. Mean age was 53.6 years (SD: 15.8). In known cases of hypertension, the average length of its evolution was 6 years 9 months (range 1 month to 60 years). Hypertension was significantly associated with age (p = 0.001), socio-professional category (p = 0.003), dyslipidaemia (p < 0.001), obesity (p < 0.001), physical inactivity (p < 0.001), diabetes (p < 0.001) and stroke (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We found a high prevalence of hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors in this population. There is need of a specific programme for the management and prevention of cardiovascular disease in this population.

[Acute myocardial infarction complicated by acute pulmonary oedema and cardiogenic collapse during dobutamine stress echocardiography]. / Acute myocardial infarction complicated by acute pulmonary oedema and cardiogenic collapse during dobutamine stress echocardiography

Acute myocardial infarction is a rare complication of dobutamine stress echocardiography. We describe the case of a diabetic patient who presented with an anterior myocardial infarction complicated by an acute pulmonary oedema and cardiogenic collapse during dobutamine stress echocardiography, requiring five days' hospitalisation. Coronarography could not be performed because of inadequate medical facilities.

Echocardiographic screening for rheumatic heart disease: age matters.

BACKGROUND: Echocardiography is emerging as a screening tool for rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in endemic regions. The vast majority of surveys have been limited to children. We ought to appreciate the interest of including adolescents in their late teens in such school screening programmes. METHODS: School-based echocardiography cross-sectional survey conducted in Dakar, Senegal (March 2010). A total of 2004 school attendees were randomly selected and enrolled in the study, among which 1116 were aged 5-15 years old (group 1), and 888 were 16-18 years old (group 2). Case detection rates and phenotype of RHD were compared according to age groups. RESULTS: A total of 22 youngsters were suspected by on-site echocardiography, 12 in group 1 and 10 in group 2. Among the 12 RHD cases suspected on-site in group 1, 6 (50%) were eventually considered as confirmed RHD, compared to 9 out of 10 (90%) in group 2, giving prevalence rates of 5.4 (CI 95% 2.0-11.7) and 10.1 (CI 95% 4.6-19.2) per 1000 in group 1 and group 2, respectively. The proportion of marked/advanced lesions was 33% in group 1, and 89% in group 2 (p=0.08). Mean concordance rates between the 3 reviewers were 40% for group 1, compared to 93% in group 2 (p=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Extension of screening to adolescents in their late teens should be considered with interest in the light of the higher prevalence of the disease and relative clarity of subclinical cardiac lesions that could be more easily detected in the field.