Greater Disease Severity and Worse Clinical Outcomes in Patients Hospitalised with COVID-19 in Africa.

Background: COVID-19 cardiovascular research from Africa is limited. This study describes cardiovascular risk factors, manifestations, and outcomes of patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in the African region, with an overarching goal to investigate whether important differences exist between African and other populations, which may inform health policies. Methods: A multinational prospective cohort study was conducted on adults hospitalised with confirmed COVID-19, consecutively admitted to 40 hospitals across 23 countries, 6 of which were African countries. Of the 5,313 participants enrolled globally, 948 were from African sites (n = 9). Data on demographics, pre-existing conditions, clinical outcomes in hospital (major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), renal failure, neurological events, pulmonary outcomes, and death), 30-day vitality status and re-hospitalization were assessed, comparing African to non-African participants. Results: Access to specialist care at African sites was significantly lower than the global average (71% vs. 95%), as were ICU admissions (19.4% vs. 34.0%) and COVID-19 vaccination rates (0.6% vs. 7.4%). The African cohort was slightly younger than the non-African cohort (55.0 vs. 57.5 years), with higher rates of hypertension (48.8% vs. 46.9%), HIV (5.9% vs. 0.3%), and Tuberculosis (3.6% vs. 0.3%). In African sites, a higher proportion of patients suffered cardiac arrest (7.5% vs. 5.1%) and acute kidney injury (12.7% vs. 7.2%), with acute kidney injury (AKI) appearing to be one of the strongest predictors of MACE and death in African populations compared to other populations. The overall mortality rate was significantly higher among African participants (18.2% vs. 14.2%). Conclusions: Overall, hospitalised African patients with COVID-19 had a higher mortality despite a lower mean age, contradicting literature that had previously reported a lower mortality attributed to COVID-19 in Africa. African sites had lower COVID-19 vaccination rates and higher AKI rates, which were positively associated with increased mortality. In conclusion, African patients were hospitalized with more severe COVID-19 cases and had poorer outcomes.

Heart failure, the global pandemic: A call to action consensus statement from the global presidential conclave at the platinum jubilee conference of cardiological society of India 2023.

Heart failure (HF) is emerging as a major public health problem both in high- and low - income countries. The mortality and morbidity due to HF is substantially higher in low-middle income countries (LMICs). Accessibility, availability and affordability issues affect the guideline directed therapy implementation in HF care in those countries. This call to action urges all those concerned to initiate preventive strategies as early as possible, so that we can reduce HF-related morbidity and mortality. The most important step is to have better prevention and treatment strategies for diseases such as hypertension, ischemic heart disease (IHD), type-2 diabetes, and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) which predispose to the development of HF. Setting up dedicated HF-clinics manned by HF Nurses, can help in streamlining HF care. Subsidized in-patient care, financial assistance for device therapy, use of generic medicines (including polypill strategy) will be helpful, along with the use of digital technologies.

Expert Recommendations to Bridge Gaps in Heart Failure Patient Support in the Middle East and Africa Region.

Heart failure (HF) remains a serious health and socioeconomic problem in the Middle East and Africa (MEA). The age-standardized prevalence rate for HF in the MEA region is higher compared to countries in Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. Also cardiovascular-related deaths remain high compared to their global counterparts. Moreover, in MEA, 66% of HF readmissions are elicited by potentially preventable factors, including delay in seeking medical attention, nonadherence to HF medication, suboptimal discharge planning, inadequate follow-up, and poor social support. Patient support in the form of activation, counseling, and caregiver education has been shown to improve outcomes in patients with HF. A multidisciplinary meeting with experts from different countries across the MEA region was convened to identify the current gaps and unmet needs for patient support for HF in the region. The panel provided insights into the real-world challenges in HF patient support and contributed strategic recommendations for optimizing HF care.

A Retrospective Study on the Adoption of Lipid Management Guidelines in Post-Myocardial Infarction Patients in a Tertiary Care Centre.

BACKGROUND: Lipid management after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the important aspects of secondary prevention in the high cardiovascular (CV) risk group, and targeted reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) remains the primary target for lipid therapy after myocardial infarction (MI). STUDY OBJECTIVE: To conduct a retrospective study of the adequacy of lipid management in post-MI patients admitted to a tertiary care centre as compared to the 2019 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemia. METHODOLOGY: The study was a retrospective review of medical records of patients admitted with MI under the Ubora Heart Service, Nairobi Hospital, from January 2020 to June 2022. RESULTS: The study population included 79 patients, with a mean age of 59.3 (SD ±12), predominantly male (61 patients, 77.2%), and of African descent (60 patients, 75.9%). The majority of the study population presented with an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (62%), and the six most prevalent cardiovascular risk factors recorded amongst the patients were: systemic arterial hypertension in 50 (63.3%) patients; dyslipidaemia in 34 (43.0%); type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in 25 (31.6); history of smoking in 12 (15.2%); obesity or being overweight in 12 (15.1%); and family history of premature coronary artery disease or sudden cardiac death in four (5.1%) patients. Moreover, 88.6% of the patients had their lipid profile assessment done within 48 hours of admission, with a mean LDL-C level of 3.18 mmol/L (SD ±.18). All the patients recruited in the study were started on high-intensity statins with either 40 mg or 80 mg of atorvastatin or 20 mg or 40 mg of rosuvastatin. Thirty-nine (44%) patients recruited had repeat lipid profiles on follow-up, with a median lipid analysis time of five months (interquartile range (IQR): 2.0-10.0). Of those, only six (17.1%) achieved the LDL-C goal of <1.4 mmo/L while only 16 (45.7%) achieved a greater than 50% reduction from their baseline LDL-C level, with three (8.6%) patients having an increased LDL-C level from baseline. Overall, 14.7% of the patients studied achieved the guideline-recommended LDL-C goal of an LDL-C target of <1.4 mmo/L and a ≥ 50% reduction from baseline LDL-C. After five months of follow-up, 75 (94.9%) patients were on statin monotherapy, with 4 (5.1%) on high-intensity statin and ezetimibe combination therapy. CONCLUSION: This retrospective study highlights the need for early sensitisation and the adoption of secondary prevention strategies in acute coronary syndrome (ACS), as recommended by the 2019 ESC guidelines.

Remote Ischaemic Conditioning in STEMI Patients in Sub-Saharan AFRICA: Rationale and Study Design for the RIC-AFRICA Trial.

PURPOSE: Despite evidence of myocardial infarct size reduction in animal studies, remote ischaemic conditioning (RIC) failed to improve clinical outcomes in the large CONDI-2/ERIC-PPCI trial. Potential reasons include that the predominantly low-risk study participants all received timely optimal reperfusion therapy by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). Whether RIC can improve clinical outcomes in higher-risk STEMI patients in environments with poor access to early reperfusion or PPCI will be investigated in the RIC-AFRICA trial. METHODS: The RIC-AFRICA study is a sub-Saharan African multi-centre, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial designed to test the impact of RIC on the composite endpoint of 30-day mortality and heart failure in 1200 adult STEMI patients without access to PPCI. Randomized participants will be stratified by whether or not they receive thrombolytic therapy within 12 h or arrive outside the thrombolytic window (12-24 h). Participants will receive either RIC (four 5-min cycles of inflation [20 mmHg above systolic blood pressure] and deflation of an automated blood pressure cuff placed on the upper arm) or sham control (similar protocol but with low-pressure inflation of 20 mmHg and deflation) within 1 h of thrombolysis and applied daily for the next 2 days. STEMI patients arriving greater than 24 h after chest pain but within 72 h will be recruited to participate in a concurrently running independent observational arm. CONCLUSION: The RIC-AFRICA trial will determine whether RIC can reduce rates of death and heart failure in higher-risk sub-optimally reperfused STEMI patients, thereby providing a low-cost, non-invasive therapy for improving health outcomes.

Erectile dysfunction in hypertensive males in Kenya: a tertiary referral hospital experience.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) in males can be organic or/and psychological. Objective: To determine the burden of ED among adult hypertensive men attending ambulatory clinic at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study on patients on antihypertensive medications, followed for ≥ one month. The tools used were five-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) for ED and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test for alcohol use. Results: Among 385 patients, the mean age was 56.2 ±11.3 years, median follow up in medical clinic was 5 years. The mean body mass index was 26.3 ± 4.6 kg/m2, 209(54.3%) were pre-obese/obese. Current smokers were 76(19.7%) while 133(34.5%) were former smokers. Alcohol use in the past year was reported by 256(68.5%), while hazardous alcohol intake was in 54(14%). Prescribed antihypertensives in various combinations included angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers to 292(75.8%), calcium channel blockers to 238(61.8%), beta blockerso 129(33.5%) and thiazide diuretics on 77(20%). Using IIEF-5 tool, the prevalence of ED was 364(94.5%) (95%CI 92.2-96.6) distributed as mild in 255(70%), moderate 76(21.9%) and 33(9.1%) severe. Conclusion: The burden of ED is high among hypertensive males. Precipitants of ED like cigarette smoking and alcohol use and use of antihypertensives which can cause ED are prevalent too.

Effect of 3, 2-Drug Combinations of Antihypertensive Therapies on Blood Pressure Variability in Black African Patients: Secondary Analyses of the CREOLE Trial.

BACKGROUND: The effect of 3 commonly recommended combinations of anti-hypertensive agents-amlodipine plus hydrochlorothiazide (calcium channel blocker [CCB]+thiazide), amlodipine plus perindopril (CCB+ACE [angiotensin-converting enzyme]-inhibitor), and perindopril plus hydrochlorothiazide (ACE-inhibitor+thiazide) on blood pressure variability (V) are unknown. METHODS: We calculated the blood pressure variability (BPV) in 405 patients (130, 146, and 129 randomized to ACE-inhibitor+thiazide, CCB+thiazide, and CCB+ACE-inhibitor, respectively) who underwent ambulatory blood pressure monitoring after 6 months of treatment in the Comparisons of Three Combinations Therapies in Lowering Blood Pressure in Black Africans trial (CREOLE) of Black African patients. BPV was calculated using the SD of 30-minute interval values for 24-hour ambulatory BPs and for confirmation using the coefficient of variation. Linear mixed model regression was used to calculate mean differences in BPV between treatment arms. Within-clinic BPV was also calculated from the mean SD and coefficient of variation of 3 readings at clinic visits. RESULTS: Baseline distributions of age, sex, and blood pressure parameters were similar across treatment groups. Participants were predominately male (62.2%) with mean age 50.4 years. Those taking CCB+thiazide had significantly reduced ambulatory systolic and diastolic BPV compared with those taking ACE-inhibitor+thiazide. The CCB+thiazide and CCB+ACE-inhibitor groups showed similar BPV. Similar patterns of BPV were apparent among groups using within-clinic blood pressures and when assessed by coefficient of variation. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with CCB-containing combinations, ACE-inhibitor plus thiazide was associated with higher levels, generally significant, of ambulatory and within-clinic systolic and diastolic BPV. These results supplement the differential ambulatory blood pressure-lowering effects of these therapies in the CREOLE trial.

Concordance between bio-impedance analysis and clinical score in fluid-status assessment of maintenance haemodialysis patients: A single centre experience.

BACKGROUND: The burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is rising rapidly globally. Fluid overload (FO), an independent predictor of mortality in CKD, should be accurately assessed to guide estimation of the volume of fluid to be removed during haemodialysis (HD). Clinical score (CS) and bio-impedance analysis (BIA) have been utilized in assessment of FO and BIA has demonstrated reproducibility and accuracy in determination of fluid status in patients on HD. There is need to determine the performance of locally-developed CSs in fluid status assessment when evaluated against BIA. AIM: To assess the hydration status of patients on maintenance HD using BIA and a CS, as well as to evaluate the performance of that CS against BIA in fluid status assessment. METHODS: This was a single-centre, hospital-based cross-sectional study which recruited adult patients with CKD who were on maintenance HD at Kenyatta National Hospital. The patients were aged 18 years and above and had been on maintenance HD for at least 3 mo. Those with pacemakers, metallic implants, or bilateral limbs amputations were excluded. Data on the patients' clinical history, physical examination, and chest radiograph findings were collected. BIA was performed on each of the study participants using the Quantum® II bio-impedance analyser manufactured by RJL Systems together with the BC 4® software. In evaluating the performance of the CS, BIA was considered as the gold standard test. A 2-by-2 table of the participants' fluid status at each of the CS values obtained compared to their paired BIA results was constructed (either ++, +-, -- or -+ for FO using the CS and BIA, respectively). The results from this 2-by-2 table were used to compute the sensitivity and specificity of the CS at the various reference points and subsequently plot a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve that was used to determine the best cut-off point. Those above and below the best CS cut-off point as determined by the ROC were classified as being positive and negative for FO, respectively. The proportions of participants diagnosed with FO by the CS and BIA, respectively, were computed and summarized in a 2-by-2 contingency table for comparison. McNemar's chi-squared test was used to assess any statistically significant difference in proportions of patients diagnosed as having FO by CS and BIA. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess whether the variables for the duration of dialysis, the number of missed dialysis sessions, advisement by health care professional on fluid or salt intake, actual fluid intake, the number of anti-hypertensives used, or body mass index were associated with a patient's odds of having FO as diagnosed by BIA. RESULTS: From 100 patients on maintenance HD screened for eligibility, 80 were recruited into this study. Seventy-one (88.75%) patients were fluid overloaded when evaluated using BIA with mean extracellular volume of 3.02 ± 1.79 L as opposed to the forty-seven (58.25%) patients who had FO when evaluated using the CS. The difference was significant, with a P value of < 0.0001 (95% confidence interval: 0.1758-0.4242). Using CS, values above 4 were indicative of FO while values less than or equal to 4 denoted the best cut-off for no FO. The sensitivity and specificity for the CS were 63% and 78% respectively. None of the factors evaluated for association with FO showed statistical significance on the multivariable logistic regression model. CONCLUSION: FO is very prevalent in patients on chronic HD at the Kenyatta National Hospital. CS detects FO less frequently when compared with BIA. The sensitivity and specificity for the CS were 63% and 78% respectively. None of the factors evaluated for association with FO showed statistical significance on the multivariable logistic regression model.

The joint 15th Pan-African Society of Cardiology and Kenya Cardiac Society congress proceedings, 2021.

The 15th biennial Pan-African Society of Cardiology (PASCAR) congress held in Mombasa, Kenya, in November 2021, convened in its legacy of being the largest Pan-African conference on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The congress brough together members of cardiovascular societies from across the continent in the shared mission of advancing cardiovascular health in Africa. In partnership with the Kenyan Cardiac Society (KCS), the specific aims of the PASCAR conference were to (1) advance knowledge on CVDs in the region; (2) share local data, clinical cases, challenges and solutions and reinforce collaborative capacity initiatives in research and workforce training; (3) engage with policy makers to address health-system issues affecting access to CVD care in Africa; and (4) bring together local and international thought leaders in cardiovascular medicine to strengthen the partnerships between PASCAR, KCS, other African cardiac societies and key global stakeholders. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this congress demonstrated great success in providing both an in-person and a virtual platform of attendance, therefore making this an inaugural hybrid PASCAR congress, with inclusive and widespread participation from across the globe. We highlight the key areas of focus, various educational programmes and innovative initiatives that shaped the 15th PASCAR congress, including expert consensus on the future directions for advancing CVD care in Africa.

Strategic Recommendations to Bridge the Gaps in Awareness, Diagnosis and Prevention of Heart Failure in the Middle East Region and Africa.

Objective: With the increasing burden of heart failure (HF) in the Middle East Region and Africa (MEA), it is imperative to shift the focus to prevention and early detection of cardiovascular diseases. We present a broad consensus of the real-world challenges and strategic recommendations for optimising HF care in the MEA region. Method: To bridge the gaps in awareness, prevention, and diagnosis of HF, an assembly of experts from MEA shared their collective opinions on the urgent unmet needs. Results: Lack of awareness in the community, high prevalence of risk factors, poor accessibility and affordability of care and diagnostics are the major barriers for delayed or missed diagnosis of HF in MEA. Enhancing patient awareness, through digital or social media campaigns, alongside raising knowledge of healthcare providers and policymakers with training programmes, can pave the way for influencing policy decisions and implementation of robust HF programmes. Multicountry registries can foster development of guidelines factoring in local challenges and roadblocks for HF care. Region-specific guidelines including simplified diagnostic algorithms can provide a blueprint of care for early detection of at-risk patients and facilitate efficient referral, thus mitigating clinician "therapeutic inertia." Multidisciplinary care teams and HF clinics with expanded role of nurses can streamline lifestyle modification and optimum control of dyslipidaemia, blood pressure, and glycaemia through guideline-recommended prevention therapies such as sodiumglucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors-thus supporting pleiotropic effects in high-risk populations. Conclusion: Development of regional guidelines, enhancing awareness, leveraging digital technology, and commitment for adequate funding and reimbursement is pivotal for overcoming structural and health system-related barriers in the MEA region.

A case for implementation of adult pneumococcal vaccine program in Africa: review and expert opinion.

Vaccines are considered as a therapeutic area for children; the scientific community focuses mainly on managing chronic disease when it comes to adults. There currently is an increase in the burden of vaccine preventable illnesses in adults. Adult vaccination has been shown to dramatically increase the health and quality of life of older populations. Therefore, adult vaccinations need to be approached as a public health issue, similar to smoking cessation programs, for example. According to the Kenya Non-Communicable Diseases and injuries poverty commission report, 2018. Kenya has a high percentage of disability adjusted life years (DALYs) from communicable diseases at 63%, while non-communicable diseases (NCDs) contribute 30% of the DALYs. Specific to pneumococcal pneumonia (PP) in adults, the Global burden of disease (GBD) study in 2016 found that 2,377,697 people of all ages died from lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in 2016. Of these, more people died from Streptococcus pneumonia(SP) than from all other studied respiratory pathogens combined. While the incidence of LRTIs in children under five years old was reducing, partly as a result of well-established vaccination programs in children, the incidence, morbidity and mortality of PP was increasing in older populations. The expert recommendations included the following; i) all individuals 65 years of age and above, and individuals with a predisposing comorbidity regardless of age, should receive the pneumococcal vaccine; ii) several systemic modules can be emulated from the successful childhood vaccines programs onto an adult vaccine program; iii) formulation of an effective vaccine program will require collaboration from the public, the government, healthcare providers, and the media, to create awareness; iv) stakeholders who need to be involved in vaccine policy development and implementation include medical professional associations, nurses, pharmacists, clinical officers, payers (private and public insurances), government, medical learning institutions and faith-based medical organizations.

A Differential Response to Antihypertensive Therapy in African Men and Women: Insights From the CREOLE Trial.

BACKGROUND: We sought to address the paucity of data to support the evidence-based management of hypertension to achieve optimal blood pressure (BP) control on a sex-specific basis in Africa. METHODS: We undertook a post hoc analysis of the multicenter, randomized CREOLE (Comparison of Three Combination Therapies in Lowering Blood Pressure in Black Africans) Trial to test the hypothesis that there would be clinically important differences in office BP control between African men and women. We compared the BP levels of 397 and 238 hypertensive women (63%, 50.9 ± 10.5 years) and men (51.2 ± 11.3 years) from 10 sites across sub-Saharan Africa who completed baseline and 6-month profiling according to their randomly allocated antihypertensive treatment. RESULTS: Overall, 442/635 (69.6%) participants achieved an office BP target of <140/90 mm Hg at 6 months; comprising more women (286/72.0%) than men (156/65.5%) (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-2.39; P = 0.023). Women randomized to amlodipine-hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) (adjusted OR 3.03, 95% CI 1.71-5.35; P < 0.001) or amlodipine-perindopril (adjusted OR 2.62, 95% CI 1.49-4.58; P = 0.01) were more likely to achieve this target compared with perindopril-HCTZ. Among men, there were no equivalent treatment differences-amlodipine-HCTZ (OR 1.54, 95% CI 0.76-3.12; P = 0.23) or amlodipine-perindopril (OR 1.32, 95% CI 0.65-2.67; P = 0.44) vs. perindopril-HCTZ. Among the 613 participants (97%) with 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring, women had significantly lower systolic (124.1 ± 18.1 vs. 127.3 ± 16.9; P = 0.028) and diastolic (72.7 ± 10.4 vs. 75.1 ± 10.5; P = 0.007) BP levels at 6 months compared with men. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest clinically important differences in the therapeutic response to antihypertensive combination therapy among African women compared with African men.

World Heart Federation Roadmap for Hypertension - A 2021 Update.

The World Heart Federation (WHF) Roadmap series covers a large range of cardiovascular conditions. These Roadmaps identify potential roadblocks and their solutions to improve the prevention, detection and management of cardiovascular diseases and provide a generic global framework available for local adaptation. A first Roadmap on raised blood pressure was published in 2015. Since then, advances in hypertension have included the publication of new clinical guidelines (AHA/ACC; ESC; ESH/ISH); the launch of the WHO Global HEARTS Initiative in 2016 and the associated Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) initiative in 2017; the inclusion of single-pill combinations on the WHO Essential Medicines' list as well as various advances in technology, in particular telemedicine and mobile health. Given the substantial benefit accrued from effective interventions in the management of hypertension and their potential for scalability in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), the WHF has now revisited and updated the 'Roadmap for raised BP' as 'Roadmap for hypertension' by incorporating new developments in science and policy. Even though cost-effective lifestyle and medical interventions to prevent and manage hypertension exist, uptake is still low, particularly in resource-poor areas. This Roadmap examined the roadblocks pertaining to both the demand side (demographic and socio-economic factors, knowledge and beliefs, social relations, norms, and traditions) and the supply side (health systems resources and processes) along the patient pathway to propose a range of possible solutions to overcoming them. Those include the development of population-wide prevention and control programmes; the implementation of opportunistic screening and of out-of-office blood pressure measurements; the strengthening of primary care and a greater focus on task sharing and team-based care; the delivery of people-centred care and stronger patient and carer education; and the facilitation of adherence to treatment. All of the above are dependent upon the availability and effective distribution of good quality, evidence-based, inexpensive BP-lowering agents.

May Measurement Month 2019: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Kenya.

Elevated blood pressure (BP) is the leading cause of global mortality, but control rates remain poor because most patients, especially in Africa, are unaware. May Measurement Month (MMM) is an annual global BP screening campaign that was initiated by the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) in 2017 to raise awareness of raised BP. Following participation in 2017 and 2018, Kenya participated again in 2019 and the results are reported here. Screening was carried out in 30 sites by volunteers coordinated by the Kenya Cardiac Society. Participants had three BP readings by standard methods with the last two being averaged and recorded. Heart rate, weight, height, socio-demographic parameters, and co-morbidities were documented. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP (SBP) ≥140 mmHg and/or a diastolic BP (DBP) ≥90 mmHg or being on treatment with at least one antihypertensive medication. A total of 33 992 participants were screened, mean age was 42.5 (SD 16.8) years and 58.7% of participants were female. Only 27.3% had their BPs checked within the preceding 12 months. After multiple imputation, 26.1% were hypertensive, of whom 34.5% were aware of their hypertension and 31.5% were on treatment. Of those on treatment, 59.7% were controlled translating to 18.8% of all hypertensives. Being on treatment for hypertension, overweight, obese or having had hypertension in previous pregnancy were associated with increased SBP and DBP, while diabetes was associated with raised SBP. Two-thirds of hypertensives were unaware. Only a third of those aware were on treatment, with about 60% of these controlled. Lack of awareness remains a significant barrier to BP control. Programmes to raise awareness such as MMM are significant in raising population awareness.

High prevalence of non-dipping patterns among Black Africans with uncontrolled hypertension: a secondary analysis of the CREOLE trial.

BACKGROUND: Dipping of blood pressure (BP) at night is a normal physiological phenomenon. However, a non-dipping pattern is associated with hypertension mediated organ damage, secondary forms of hypertension and poorer long-term outcome. Identifying a non-dipping pattern may be useful in assessing risk, aiding the decision to investigate for secondary causes, initiating treatment, assisting decisions on choice and timing of antihypertensive therapy, and intensifying salt restriction. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence and factors associated with non-dipping pattern and determine the effect of 6 months of three antihypertensive regimens on the dipping pattern among Black African hypertensive patients. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of the CREOLE Study which was a randomized, single blind, three-group trial conducted in 10 sites in 6 Sub-Saharan African countries. The participants were 721 Black African patients, aged between 30 and 79 years, with uncontrolled hypertension and a baseline 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). Dipping was calculated from the average day and average night systolic blood pressure measures. RESULTS: The prevalence of non-dipping pattern was 78% (564 of 721). Factors that were independently associated with non-dipping were: serum sodium > 140 mmol/l (OR = 1.72, 95% CI 1.17-2.51, p-value 0.005), a higher office systolic BP (OR = 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.05, p-value 0.003) and a lower office diastolic BP (OR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.95-0.99, p-value 0.03). Treatment allocation did not change dipping status at 6 months (McNemar's Chi2 0.71, p-value 0.40). CONCLUSION: There was a high prevalence of non-dipping among Black Africans with uncontrolled hypertension. ABPM should be considered more routinely in Black Africans with uncontrolled hypertension, if resources permit, to help personalise therapy. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and causes of non-dipping pattern and if targeting night-time BP improves clinical outcomes. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02742467).

May Measurement Month 2018: an analysis of blood pressure screening from Kenya.

Hypertension (HTN) is highly prevalent and the leading cardiovascular risk factor for death globally. A large proportion of individuals with high blood pressure (BP) are unaware leading to under treatment and poor control. To address this, the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) initiated a global mass screening campaign, the May Measurement Month 2017 (MMM17), in which Kenya participated. Following the success of the campaign, its successor MMM18 was launched. Here, we present the Kenyan results for MMM18. Opportunistic screening of consenting adults was done in various sites across Kenya in May 2018, by volunteers trained using ISH material, under the co-ordination of the Kenya Cardiac Society. Blood pressure, pulse rate, weight, and height were measured by standard methods. Definitions of HTN and statistical methods all adhered to the standard MMM protocol. We screened 49 548 subjects, mean age 39.95 (15.3) years. In total, 49.4% had never had a BP measurement taken. After multiple imputation, 17.1% were hypertensive and of those who were hypertensive, 30.7% were aware, 26.6% were on antihypertensive treatment, and 13.0% had controlled BP. Alcohol use, excess weight, and treatment for HTN were associated with higher BP. The Kenyan MMM18 sites successfully screened more than three times the number screened in 2017, hence improving public awareness. Less than half the population had ever had a BP check. Less than a third of the hypertensives were aware with correspondingly poor treatment and control rates. Opportunistic mass screening is useful in raising public awareness.

The burden of unrecognised chronic kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes at a county hospital clinic in Kenya: implications to care and need for screening.

BACKGROUND: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in patients with type 2 diabetes enhances the cardiovascular risk profiles and disease, and is a strong predictor of progression to end-stage kidney disease. Early diagnosis is encouraged for referral to specialist kidney care to initiate active management that would optimize outcomes including forestalling progression to end-stage kidney disease. This study was conducted in a regional referral public health facility in Central Kenya with a high prevalence of type 2 diabetes. It was aimed at finding out the burden of undiagnosed chronic kidney disease in their clinic of ambulatory patients with type 2 diabetes who dwell mainly in the rural area. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the out-patient of Nyeri County hospital. A total of 385 patients were enrolled over 5 months. Informed consent was obtained and clinical evaluation was done, a spot sample of urine obtained for albuminuria and venous blood drawn for HbA1c, Lipids and serum creatinine. Estimated GFR (eGFR) was calculated using the Cockroft-Gault equation. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was classified on KDIGO scale. Albuminuria was reported as either positive or negative. Descriptive statistics for data summary and regression analysis were employed on SPSS v23. RESULTS: A total of 385 participants were included in the study, 252 (65.5%) were females. There were 39.0% (95%CI 34.3-44.2) patients in CKD/KDIGO stages 3, 4 and 5 and 32.7% (95%CI, 27.8-37.4) had Albuminuria. The risk factors that were significantly associated with chronic kidney disease/KDIGO stages 3, 4 and 5 were: age > 50 years, long duration with diabetes > 5 years and hypertension. Employment and paradoxically, obesity reduced the odds of having CKD, probably as markers of better socio-economic status. CONCLUSION: Unrecognized CKD of KDIGO stages 3,4 and 5 occurred in over 30 % of the study patients. The risk factors of hypertension, age above 50, long duration of diabetes should help identify those at high risk of developing CKD, for screening and linkage to care. They are at high risk of progression to end-stage kidney disease and cardiovascular events. The imperative of screening for chronic kidney disease is availing care in publicly-funded hospitals.

Burden of prehypertension among adults in Kenya: a retrospective analysis of findings from the Healthy Heart Africa (HHA) Programme.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is the leading risk factor for mortality globally. African countries, including Kenya, have a high and rising prevalence of hypertension. Prehypertension is associated with an increased risk of progression to overt hypertension and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Despite this, little is documented on the prevalence and distribution of prehypertension in sub-Saharan Africa. This study sought to estimate the overall burden of prehypertension in Kenyan adults enrolled in a large hypertension control programme, Healthy Heart Africa. The distribution and determinants of prehypertension in the sample were explored as secondary objectives. METHODS: This was a post hoc analysis of cross-sectional data obtained from population-level blood pressure (BP) screening of adults aged ≥18 years in the community and ambulatory care facilities in 17/47 sub-national administrative units in Kenya. All participants with a complete record for systolic and diastolic BP were included. Descriptive analyses were performed for sociodemographic characteristics. Pearson's chi-square test was used to assess differences in categorical variables. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors independently associated with prehypertension. RESULTS: Of 5,985,185 participant records that were included in the analysis, 34% were men (mean age: 45 [SD 2.9] years). The majority (63%) lived in rural Kenya. The prevalence of prehypertension was 54.5% and that of hypertension was 20.8%. Characteristics that were independently associated with prehypertension (adjusted odds ratio [95% CI]) included male sex (1.23 [±0.0023], p <  0.001 for all age groups > 25 years) and rural residence (1.60 [±0.023], p <  0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one in every two Kenyan adults has prehypertension. This calls for urgent development and roll-out of a national BP screening and control programme. It also provides a strong basis for the formulation of multisectoral national policies that will ensure implementation of evidence-based, low-cost public health interventions geared towards primary prevention of hypertension, especially in population groups that are traditionally considered at low risk, such as young adults and rural residents.