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Long COVID in Uganda: Electrographic findings among patients at risk
Andrew Weil Semulimi1, Charles Batte1, Daniel Iraguha2
1Lung Institute, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Insights
Electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities were found in nearly one in five Ugandans at risk for Long COVID. This highlights the need for integrated ECG screening in Long COVID follow-up care.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- COVID-19 is known to cause significant cardiovascular complications.
- Long COVID can manifest with various persistent symptoms, including cardiovascular effects.
- Understanding these long-term cardiovascular impacts is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities in individuals at risk of developing Long COVID in Uganda.
- To identify potential risk factors associated with these ECG abnormalities.
- To inform clinical practice regarding cardiovascular monitoring post-COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted between February and June 2022.
- Standard resting ECGs were performed on 244 participants at least 2 months post-acute COVID-19.
- Data on sociodemographics, clinical characteristics, and vital signs were collected.
Main Results:
- 18.9% of participants exhibited abnormal ECG findings.
- Non-specific T-wave inversion was the most common abnormality.
- Females had a lower prevalence of ECG abnormalities (aPR: 0.52), while smokers had a higher prevalence (aPR: 2.03).
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of individuals at risk for Long COVID in Uganda presented with ECG abnormalities.
- ECG screening should be considered for integration into the follow-up care of patients at risk of Long COVID.
- These findings underscore the importance of cardiovascular surveillance in post-COVID-19 care.
Background:
COVID-19 has a significant cardiovascular involvement. Electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities among people at a risk of Long COVID in Uganda was investigated.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to June 2022 at the post COVID - 19 clinic in Mulago National Specialized Hospital, Kampala. A standard resting ECG was performed on individuals at least 2 months following acute COVID-19, with a negative SARS-CoV-2 reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics as well as vital signs were recorded for all study participants.
Results:
Of the 244 study participants, 117 (47.9%) were female. The median age of all the participants was 33.0 (interquartile range: 26.0 - 43.5) years. Twenty-five (10.2%) participants had a history of smoking while 117 (48%) had a history of alcohol intake. In total, 46 (18.9%) had abnormal ECG findings (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 14.39 - 24.29) and non-specific T-wave inversion (n = 16, 34%) was the most frequent ECG abnormality. The proportion of participants with ECG abnormalities was 48% lower among females (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR): 0.52, 95% CI: 0.28 - 0.96, p value < 0.05) and 2-fold greater for those with a history of smoking (aPR: 2.03, 95% CI:1.096 - 3.776, p value < 0.05).
Conclusion:
One in five Ugandans who were checked at the clinic at a risk of Long COVID showed ECG abnormalities. ECG screening is suggested to be integrated into the follow-up care of those at a risk of Long COVID.
