Pattern and determinants of health-related quality of life of adolescents with congenital heart disease in Cameroon: A single-center cross-sectional study.

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessment is necessary for the management of patients with congenital heart diseases (CHD). No study has yet been reported on Cameroonian adolescents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the profile of and look for determinants of HRQoL in adolescents with CHD in Cameroon.

Cardiovascular risk factors among Cameroonian adolescents: Comparison between public and private schools and association with physical activity practice-a cross-sectional study.

Aim: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide and physical activity (PA) practice is recommended as the most efficient preventive measure to curse their burden in sub-Saharan Africa. Our study aimed to compare cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) in adolescents in public and private schools in Cameroon and assess the impact of PA practice.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on students from private and public secondary schools in the city of Douala.

Prevalence and risk factors of pre-hypertension and high blood pressure among adolescents in Cameroonian schools.

Blood pressure (BP) is the main driver of mortality with 12.8% of all deaths worldwide. Adolescents are not spared, precisely in Cameroon where they constitute more than half of its population.

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Background: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare cause of heart failure occurring during pregnancy. Its prevalence seems more frequent in Africa but its epidemiological, clinical and evolutionary particularities remain unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiological features and mortality risk factors of PPCM.

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Background: The automatic measurement of the ankle-brachial index (ABI) constitutes a reliable, simple, safe, rapid, and inexpensive alternative diagnostic screening test compared with the Doppler method for peripheral arterial disease (PAD). We aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of automatic ABI measurement tests to Doppler ultrasound for PAD in a group of patients aged 65 years and above, in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: This was an experimental comparative study of the performance of Doppler ultrasound to the automated ABI test in the diagnosis of PAD in patients aged ≥ 65 years followed-up at the Yaoundé Central Hospital, Cameroon between January to June 2018.

Prevalence and correlates of vascular plaques and high intima thickness in a group of patients with high cardiovascular risk in Cameroon.

Introduction: carotid and femoral intima-media thickness (IMT) and atherosclerotic plaques are considered as markers of generalized atherosclerosis and as independent predictors of cardiovascular events and mortality. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates between carotid and femoral intima-media thickness and plaques in patients with major cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs).

Methods: we carried out a cross-sectional study at the Yaoundé Central Hospital between December 2017 and May 2018.

[Epidemiology, clinical and therapeutic aspects of chronic coronary syndrome in Cameroonian cardiology, a look back at 10 years].

Aim: The present study aims to describe the epidemiology, clinical and therapeutic aspects of chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) in Cameroonian cardiology setting in order to highlight the current state of practice to guide efficient epidemiological interventions.

Method: We retrospectively analyzed over 10 years [2010; 2019] the records of patients hospitalized in two cardiology units of referral hospitals in the city of Yaoundé.

Result: Of the 2756 records retrieved, 47 (1.

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

The multi-country May Measurement Month (MMM) screening campaign aims to raise awareness on blood pressure (BP) and hypertension in individuals and communities, and measure BP, ideally, of those who had no BP measurement in the preceding year. We here report key findings from the Cameroon arm of MMM 2019. An opportunistic sample of adults (≥18 years) was included from 5 May to 5 June 2019 across 15 sites (markets, churches, homes, motor parks, workplaces, and hospitals/clinics).

Association between measures of adiposity and blood pressure levels in adult Cameroonians.

Introduction: Several anthropometric measurements are variably recommended to assess adiposity in routine practice, with less agreement on their comparative performance. We assessed and compared the relationship of seven anthropometric measures of adiposity-waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), Body Mass Index (BMI), Ponderal Index (PI), Conicity Index (C index), A Body Shape Index (ABSI), and Body Roundness Index (BRI)-with blood pressure (BP) levels and prevalent hypertension in adult Cameroonians.

Methods: Data were collected as Cameroon's contribution to the global May Measurement Month 2017(MMM17) survey.

Epidemiology of acutely decompensated systolic heart failure over the 2003-2013 decade in Douala General Hospital, Cameroon.

Aims: Acutely decompensated heart failure (HF) (ADHF) is a common cause of hospitalization and mortality worldwide. This study explores the epidemiology and prognostic factors of ADHF in Cameroonian patients.

Methods And Results: This was a retrospective study conducted between January 2003 and December 2013 from the medical files of patients followed at the intensive care and cardiovascular units of Douala General Hospital in Cameroon.

May Measurement Month 2018: blood pressure screening results in Cameroon.

Hypertension is a global public health challenge, but awareness, treatment, and control rates remain low. May Measurement Month (MMM) creates a platform for awareness creation and opportunistic screening which can identify significant numbers with raised blood pressure (BP). We present results of the 2018 edition of MMM in Cameroon.

Prevalence and determinants of masked hypertension among obese individuals at the Yaoundé Central Hospital: a cross-sectional study in sub-Saharan Africa.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of masked hypertension in obese patients in Yaounde.

Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study from January to September 2017 at the National Obesity Center of the Yaounde Central Hospital. Masked hypertension was defined when the mean 24 h SBP was greater than or equal to 130 mmHg and/or the mean 24 h DBP was greater than or equal to 80 mmHg with normal office blood pressure (SBP/DBP) <140/90 mmHg.

Availability, cost and affordability of essential cardiovascular disease medicines in the south west region of Cameroon: Preliminary findings from the Cameroon science for disease study.

Background: More than 80% of premature deaths due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) occur in low- and middle-income countries. However, access to, and affordability of medications remain a challenge in these countries.

Objective: To assess the availability, cost and affordability of essential cardiovascular medicines in the South West region of Cameroon.

Biventricular hypertrabeculations or noncompaction in a 54-year-old woman in Sub-Saharan Africa: A case report.

Ventricular noncompaction or hypertrabeculation is rare and unclassified cardiomyopathy that mostly affects the left ventricle. We report the case of biventricular hypertrabeculation in a 54-year-old woman who presented with congestive heart failure de novo associated with arrhythmia in a low-income setting. We also discussed the therapeutic challenges.

Echocardiographic left atrial remodelling and determinants of left atrial size in the early phase of high blood pressure: a comparative cross-sectional study in Douala, Cameroon.

Background: Left atrial remodelling (LAR) has been described in Western populations with chronic hypertension and is associated with a higher risk of adverse cardiovascular events. Although hypertension tends to occur earlier and is more severe in sub-Saharan Africa than in more developed nations, LAR and its associated factors in these African hypertensive subjects have been poorly elucidated.

Objectives: To assess left atrial structural remodelling in black hypertensive patients and determine factors associated with left atrial size.

The prognostic value of serum uric acid in the acute phase of hemorrhagic stroke patients in black Africans.

Introduction: Very few studies have been conducted to evaluate the prevalence of hyperuricemia and its impact on the prognosis amongst acute hemorrhagic stroke (AHS) patients. The objectives was to determine the prevalence of hyperuricemia in AHS patients and examined the association between hyperuricemia and stroke outcomes in the Douala General Hospital (DGH).

Methods: This was a hospital based prospective cohort which included AHS patients with baseline SUA levels and 3 months post stroke follow-up data.

Short-term effects of perindopril-amlodipine vs perindopril-indapamide on blood pressure control in sub-Saharan type 2 diabetic individuals newly diagnosed for hypertension: A double-blinded randomized controlled trial.

Poor blood pressure (BP) control contributes to complications in sub-Saharan African (SSA) type 2 diabetic individuals. Experts have advocated the use of combination therapies for effective BP control in these patients. The suggested combinations should include a RAAS antagonist and either a CCB or a thiazide diuretic; however, their efficacy is yet to be established in SSA.

MMM17-Cameroon, analysis and opportunities-Sub-Saharan Africa.

Elevated blood pressure (BP) is a growing burden worldwide, leading to over 10 million deaths each year. May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness on high BP and temporary increasing screening for hypertension worldwide. We here provide the results of the 2017 MMM (MMM17) edition in Cameroon.

Prevalence and risk factors of peripheral artery disease in black Africans with HIV infection: a cross-sectional hospital-based study.

Background: The prevalence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) is not well known among HIV-infected patients in Africa. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of PAD among HIV-infected patients at the Douala General Hospital (DGH).

Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive and analytic study between November 2015 and April 2016.

Correlations of left ventricular systolic function indices with aortic root systolic excursion (ARSE): A cross-sectional echocardiographic study.

Background: Heart failure (HF), is a major public health issue globally. Echocardiography is cost-effective in the diagnosis in expert hands. This study was conducted to estimate the usefulness of Aortic Root Systolic Excursion (ARSE) as a simple and accurate measure to estimate Left Ventricular (LV) function.

Development of the certificate course in the management of hypertension in Africa (CCMH-Africa): proceedings of the first continental faculty meeting, Nairobi, Kenya, 25-26 February 2018.

Background: In response to the call by the World Health Organisation to reduce premature deaths from non-communicable diseases by 25% by the year 2025 (25×25), the Pan-African Society of Cardiology (PASCAR), in partnership with several organisations, including the World Heart Federation, have developed an urgent 10-point action plan to improve detection, treatment and control of hypertension in Africa. Priority six of this action plan is to promote a task-shifting/task-sharing approach in the management of hypertension.

Aim: This capacity-building initiative aims to enhance the knowledge, skills and core competences of primary healthcare physicians in the management of hypertension and related complications.

Rheumatic heart disease awareness in the South West region of Cameroon: A hospital based survey in a Sub-Saharan African setting.

Background: Early diagnosis and adequate treatment of Group A streptococcal throat infection is an important initial stage in the primary prevention of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. This preventable condition associated with high mortality rates mandates a thorough understanding by the general public and the health.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the level of awareness about different aspects of rheumatic heart disease in patients coming to the outpatient department of the Buea regional Hospital, South West region of Cameroon.

Acute Stroke Patients with Newly Diagnosed Diabetes Mellitus Have Poorer Outcomes than Those with Previously Diagnosed Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with poor outcomes in acute stroke patients (ASPs). This study aims to determine the prevalence of NDDM in the ASPs and to compare the outcome in NDDM and previously diagnosed DM (PDDM) in Cameroon.

Methods And Materials: This was a hospital-based prospective cohort study that included ASPs with NDDM and PDDM.

Challenges in the management of cardiovascular emergencies in Sub-Saharan Africa: a case report of acute heart failure complicating infective endocarditis in a semi-urban setting in Cameroon.

Background: Infective endocarditis is a deadly disease if not promptly treated with antibiotics either in association with cardiac surgery or not. Cardiac complications are the most common complications seen in infective endocarditis. Heart failure remains the most common cause of mortality and the most common indication for cardiac surgery in patients with infective endocarditis which is increasingly available in resource limited settings.

Multiple cerebral infarction revealing Takayasu's disease: a case report in a 32-year-old man from Cameroon, sub-Saharan Africa.

This case suggests that young patients with few vascular risk factors, and who present with acute stroke syndrome involving more than one vascular territory should be screened for an inflammatory or infectious cause.