Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 1, 2026
Hydra, a Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Cardiovascular Analysis and Diagnosis
Published on: September 26, 2018
Spectrum of cardiovascular diseases among Ethiopian patients at Tikur Anbessa Specialized University Teaching
Insights
Valvular heart disease is the most common cardiovascular disorder in Ethiopia, but ischemic heart disease is rapidly increasing. Urgent population-based strategies are needed for prevention and management of these cardiovascular diseases.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular disorders present diverse global patterns, differing significantly between developed and developing nations.
- Data regarding the spectrum of cardiovascular diseases in Ethiopia remains limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the spectrum of cardiovascular disorders encountered at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Tertiary Referral Hospital in Ethiopia.
- To analyze the prevalence and types of cardiovascular diseases in a large Ethiopian patient cohort.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective record review was conducted on 3282 Ethiopian patients diagnosed with cardiovascular disorders between January 2001 and December 2012.
- Data included valvular heart disease, heart failure, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, congenital heart disease, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathies, cerebrovascular diseases, and peripheral vascular diseases.
- Descriptive statistics were employed to analyze and present the findings, with direct standardization to the population.
Main Results:
- The study included more women (59.0%) than men, with a mean patient age of 31.6 years.
- Valvular Heart Disease was the most frequent diagnosis (62.0%), followed by hypertension (14.7%), cerebrovascular diseases (11.5%), and ischemic heart disease (7.4%).
- Notably, 26.5% of patients with ischemic heart disease also had diabetes mellitus.
Conclusions:
- Valvular heart disease is the predominant cardiovascular disorder among Ethiopian patients at the country's largest public hospital.
- There has been a significant increase in ischemic heart disease over the study period.
- There is an urgent need for effective, population-based health promotion strategies for primary prevention and secondary management of cardiovascular disorders and their risk factors in Ethiopia.
Background:
Cardiovascular disorders vary throughout the world in type and distribution especially between the developed and the developing countries. Data on spectrum of cardiovascular diseases in Ethiopia is scarce.
Objective:
To assess the spectrum of cardiovascular disorders at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Tertiary Referral Hospital.
Methods:
A record review of patient registers from January 2001 to December 2012 was done for 3282 Ethiopian patients with confirmed cardiovascular disorders at adult Cardiology clinic and Neurology clinic of Tikur Anbessa Specialized hospital. Spectrum of valvular heart disease, heart failure, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, congenital heart disease, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathies, cerebrovascular diseases, and peripheral vascular diseases, defined by Physician International Classification of Diseases, Version 9, codes, were directly standardized to the population. Descriptive statitistics was applied to present results.
Results:
The study population contained more women (n = 1937 [59.0%]) than men. The mean age of the patients was 31.6 +/- 16.6 years. Women were younger than men (mean 29.6 [SD 15.1] years vs 34.52 [18.3] years). Valvular Heart Disease was the most common primary diagnosis in 2036 (62.0%) with significantly higher proportion in the 3rd decade of life. About 300 (9.1%) of the patients were diagnosed with heart failure. Other major diagnoses included hypertension 482 (14.7%), cerebrovascular diseases or stroke 377 (11.5%), congenital heart disease 279 (8.5%) and ischemic heart disease 224 (7.4%). Fifty seven (26.5%) patients with ischemic heart disease had diabetes mellitus.
Conclusion:
While valvular heart disease is the commonest cardiovascular disorder in Ethiopian patients at the largest public hospital of the country, ischemic heart disease has dramatically increased over the years. It is high-time that effective population-based, health promotive strategies for primary prevention as well as secondary measures for the established cardiovascular disorders and risk factors are in place.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Cardiovascular Drugs: Classification based on Therapeutic Indications
01:23Assessment of the Cardiovascular System I: Subjective Data
Initial Enquiry
Ask the patient about their primary concern and thoroughly explore all reported symptoms.
Medical History
Investigate past illnesses affecting the cardiovascular system, such as angina, anemia, rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, stroke, thrombophlebitis, dysrhythmias, varicosities
Inquire about symptoms...
01:17Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System I:Echocardiography
Indications: Echocardiography is utilized to diagnose heart failure, valve disorders, and myocardial infarction. It also assesses cardiac structures' size, shape, and motion, evaluates...
01:25Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis
01:22Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
01:30Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations