Background: Chronic heart failure is a public health problem worldwide. It has a high mortality rate and is accompanied by a decreased functional capacity and alteration of the quality of life. Objective: This st...Background: Chronic heart failure is a public health problem worldwide. It has a high mortality rate and is accompanied by a decreased functional capacity and alteration of the quality of life. Objective: This study aimed to assess the cardiovascular functional capacity of a group of patients suffering from heart failure using the 6-minute walk test (6 MWT). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out in the cardiology unit of Douala’s general hospital for 4 months. We included all eligible patients aged 18 years or more who had stable chronic heart failure and gave informed consent. Those who had an acute coronary syndrome (≤1 month), tachycardia (HR ≥ 120 bpm), high blood pressure (SBP ≥ 180 mmHg and/or DBP ≥ 100 mmHg) and reduced mobility due to orthopaedic reasons were excluded. A 6 MWT was done according to the American Thoracic Society guidelines. The 6 MWT result was considered poor for - 450 m and good for >450 m. Results: We recruited a total of 81 patients (61.7% women) with a mean age of 65.9 ± 10.6 years. The most frequent risk factor for heart failure was high blood pressure (77.8%), alcohol consumption(69.1%) and a sedentary lifestyle (53.1%). The left ventricular ejection fraction was mostly preserved (42.0%) or mildly altered (46.9). The 6 MWT results were poor in 55.6% of cases, average in 19.8% of cases and good in only 24.7% of cases. More than half (59.3%) of the participants perceived the effort as being difficult. The cardiovascular functional capacity was significantly associated with age, heart failure stage and physical activity (p Conclusion: Most patients suffering from chronic stable heart failure in the general hospital of Douala have poor cardiovascular functional capacity.展开更多
Introduction: The management of hypertension is mostly based on pharmacotherapy and hygienic and dietary measures (HDMs) for which little data is available in Cameroon. The concern to improve the quality of life of hy...Introduction: The management of hypertension is mostly based on pharmacotherapy and hygienic and dietary measures (HDMs) for which little data is available in Cameroon. The concern to improve the quality of life of hypertensive patients led us to study the knowledge, compliance and effect of HDMs among Cameroonian hypertensive patients. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out at the Douala General Hospital;the census of patients was carried out from 05 March to 10 May 2018. The data evaluated were knowledge and compliance with HDMs with an inference of their effect on blood pressure control. Results: We recruited 330 participants at mean age of 60 ± 11 years, 37.9% men;57.3% with blood pressure (BP) controlled. Out of 330 subjects, 308 (93.3%) who had been educated about dietary health measures for hypertension were assessed on knowledge, compliance and effect of these measures against 22 (6.7%) who had never heard about them. Around 85.7% of participants had good knowledge of HDMs and 78.9% had good compliance with them. There was no statistically significant influence of knowledge and compliance with HDMs on blood pressure control. Conclusion: The level of knowledge and adherence to HDMs of hypertensive patients at the Douala General Hospital was appreciable. It is however appropriate for physicians to intensify patient education on HDMs and BP control.展开更多
文摘Background: Chronic heart failure is a public health problem worldwide. It has a high mortality rate and is accompanied by a decreased functional capacity and alteration of the quality of life. Objective: This study aimed to assess the cardiovascular functional capacity of a group of patients suffering from heart failure using the 6-minute walk test (6 MWT). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out in the cardiology unit of Douala’s general hospital for 4 months. We included all eligible patients aged 18 years or more who had stable chronic heart failure and gave informed consent. Those who had an acute coronary syndrome (≤1 month), tachycardia (HR ≥ 120 bpm), high blood pressure (SBP ≥ 180 mmHg and/or DBP ≥ 100 mmHg) and reduced mobility due to orthopaedic reasons were excluded. A 6 MWT was done according to the American Thoracic Society guidelines. The 6 MWT result was considered poor for - 450 m and good for >450 m. Results: We recruited a total of 81 patients (61.7% women) with a mean age of 65.9 ± 10.6 years. The most frequent risk factor for heart failure was high blood pressure (77.8%), alcohol consumption(69.1%) and a sedentary lifestyle (53.1%). The left ventricular ejection fraction was mostly preserved (42.0%) or mildly altered (46.9). The 6 MWT results were poor in 55.6% of cases, average in 19.8% of cases and good in only 24.7% of cases. More than half (59.3%) of the participants perceived the effort as being difficult. The cardiovascular functional capacity was significantly associated with age, heart failure stage and physical activity (p Conclusion: Most patients suffering from chronic stable heart failure in the general hospital of Douala have poor cardiovascular functional capacity.
文摘Introduction: The management of hypertension is mostly based on pharmacotherapy and hygienic and dietary measures (HDMs) for which little data is available in Cameroon. The concern to improve the quality of life of hypertensive patients led us to study the knowledge, compliance and effect of HDMs among Cameroonian hypertensive patients. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out at the Douala General Hospital;the census of patients was carried out from 05 March to 10 May 2018. The data evaluated were knowledge and compliance with HDMs with an inference of their effect on blood pressure control. Results: We recruited 330 participants at mean age of 60 ± 11 years, 37.9% men;57.3% with blood pressure (BP) controlled. Out of 330 subjects, 308 (93.3%) who had been educated about dietary health measures for hypertension were assessed on knowledge, compliance and effect of these measures against 22 (6.7%) who had never heard about them. Around 85.7% of participants had good knowledge of HDMs and 78.9% had good compliance with them. There was no statistically significant influence of knowledge and compliance with HDMs on blood pressure control. Conclusion: The level of knowledge and adherence to HDMs of hypertensive patients at the Douala General Hospital was appreciable. It is however appropriate for physicians to intensify patient education on HDMs and BP control.
