Internal Medicine

Echocardiography and Electrocardiographic Findings among Hypertensive Patients at the Follow-Up Clinic of Jimma Medical Center: A Cross-Sectional Study

2026-02-25T07:33:52Z

Echocardiography and Electrocardiographic Findings among Hypertensive Patients at the Follow-Up Clinic of Jimma Medical Center: A Cross-Sectional Study Mekonnen Wakjira; Elsah Tegene; Amare Hailu Hypertension is one of the most common cardiovascular diseases worldwide and a major contributor to structural and functional heart abnormalities. Early detection of cardiac involvement in hypertensive patients is crucial to prevent complications. Echocardiography and Electrocardiography are valuable tools for evaluating cardiac changes associated with hypertension. Objective: This study aimed to assess Echocardiography and Electrocardiographic findings among hypertensive patients visiting chronic follow up at Jimma Medical Center, Jimma, Ethiopia Methodology: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Jimma Medical Center from February10-March 20, 2025. The study was focused on hypertensive patients undergoing chronic follow-up during the specified period. The inclusion of participants was determined through a systematic random sampling technique. Data Collection and Analysis: Data collected by kobo toolbox was exported to excel and then, to IBM SPSS version 26 software package for analysis. Both bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models was employed. In the bivariate analysis, variables with a P-value less than 0.25 were considered candidates for inclusion in the multivariable analysis. In the multivariable logistic regression model, variables with a P-value less than 0.05 were taken as statistically significant. Results: All the 268 study participants had Electrocardiography (ECG) and Transthoracic echocardiography. ECG evaluation showed high rates of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, 35.4% by Sokolow-Lyon criteria and 28.4% by Cornell voltage criteria. Left anterior fascicular block was found in 23.5% of participants, and QTc is prolonged in 7.1% of hypertensive individuals. TTE evaluation showed high rates of concentric LVH 39.2% and left ventricular internal v diastolic diameter(LVIDd) is enlarged in 11.2% participants. In multivariable logistic regression, Age ≥50Yr ( AOR, 4 [95% CI, 1.76-9.05], P=0.001), DBP≥90mmHg( AOR, 4.3[95% CI, 2.0 9.1], P<0.001), duration of hypertension≥10yrs( AOR, 2.42 [95% CI, 1.17-5.02], P=0.017), total cholesterol≥240mg/dl( AOR, 7.2[95% CI, 1.5-36], P=0.01), and BMI 25-29Kg/m2( AOR, 4 [95% CI, 1.7-8.7], P=0.001), were significantly associated with LVH on ECG and on TTE LVH has significant association with Age ≥50yrs( AOR, 3.6[95% CI, 1.8-7.2], P<0.001), DBP≥90mmHg( AOR, 2.02 [95% CI, 1.1-3.97], P=0.023), and BMI 25-29 Kg/m2( AOR, 3.43 [95% CI, 1.6-7.2], P=0.001), and obesity( AOR, 9.4 [95% CI, 1.9-46.8], P=0.006).

Optimization of Guideline directed Medical Therapy and associated factors, among adult heart failure patients on follow up at Jimma University Medical Center follow up clinic, Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia; a Cross-sectional Study.

2026-02-25T07:22:52Z

Optimization of Guideline directed Medical Therapy and associated factors, among adult heart failure patients on follow up at Jimma University Medical Center follow up clinic, Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia; a Cross-sectional Study. Kidus Tesfaye; Tadesse Dukessa; Elsah Tegene; Kedir Negesso Heart failure (HF) poses a significant global health concern, with substantial morbidity, mortality, and economic burden. Among heart failure patients, those with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) constitute around 60%. Recent society guidelines recommend use of Guideline medical therapy (GDMT) which include four group of pillar drugs at their optimal dose in order to reduce not only hospitalization but also heart failure symptom and mortality. Despite this recommendation the drugs are underutilized because of different factors. Objective: To assess the magnitude of utilization of GDMT and associated factors among patients with HFrEF at JUMC cardiac follow up clinic of Jimma University Medical Center. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on selected patients with HFrEF on follow up between June 2023 and Sept 2023at ambulatory care clinic of Jimma University Medical Center, Ethiopia. Data was collected through patient interview and review of medical records. Collected data was first cleaned, edited and entered into a computer and analyzed using software program SPSS Version 24. Adjusted Odds Ratio with 95% CI was used to measure strength of association. A P-value of <0.05 is considered statistically significant for associated factors. Result: The study’s findings indicate that only 12 patients (4.7%) received guideline-directed medical therapy, and this achievement was substantially correlated with the diagnosis of hypertension (AOR: 10.62, 95% CI: 1.14-98.37) and diabetes mellitus (AOR: 7.73, 95% CI: 3.85-19.86). Despite high prescription rates for ACEIs/ARBs 244(96.1%), beta-blockers (226 patients, 85.97%), and MRAs 218(85.82%), the prescription of SGLT2 inhibitors was notably infrequent 22(8.7%). Moreover, a relatively small percentage of patients achieved target dosages, with just 76(29.9%) for ACEIs/ARBs, 32(12.6%) for MRAs, and 9(3.5%) for beta blockers. The primary barrier to this was physician inertia, with a significant number of patients not receiving dosage escalations without documented reasons: 129(76%) for ACEIs/ARBS, 109 (49.8%) for beta-blockers, and 147(79%) for MRAs. SGLT2 inhibitors were not offered to 161 patients (63.4%). Medication-related side effects or intolerance also hindered the achievement of target dosages for 31(18%) of ACEIs/ARBs, 61(21.5%) for beta-blockers, and 25(13.4%) for 6 MRAs. Furthermore, cost was cited as a barrier for 10 (5.7%) of ACEIs/ARBs, 61(21.5%) of beta-blockers, and 14 (7.5%) of MRAs users. Conclusion and recommendation: The study sheds light on a notable gap in the application of guideline-directed medical therapy, with only a minority of patients reaching the advised target doses. Given the underuse of SGLT2 inhibitors and the low rate of achieving target doses for essential medications, it might be beneficial for healthcare systems to consider strategies that can help to overcome physician inertia, which hinder the delivery of optimal patient care. Furthermore, enhancing the availability and affordability of SGLT2 inhibitors may be advantageous in the context of their prescription patterns.

Prevalence of Dysglycemia and associated factors in Jimma Town, SW Ethiopia: A community based Cross-sectional study.

2025-11-05T12:27:08Z

Prevalence of Dysglycemia and associated factors in Jimma Town, SW Ethiopia: A community based Cross-sectional study. Temeselew Zenebe; Ermias Habte; Hailu Merga Background: Type 2 Diabetes, which accounts for ∼90–95% of those with diabetes, remains largely undiagnosed and has long asymptomatic period before patients present with complications. Patients with type 2 diabetes are typically older than 40 years and frequently obese. Most frequently the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes is made after routine blood testing in asymptomatic persons. ADA guideline recommends routine screening for adults older than 40 years and at earlier age in those with risk factors. Objective: To assess the prevalence of Dysglycemia (T2DM and IFG) and associated factors for Adults older than 40yrs living in Jimma Town, southwest Ethiopia. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted using WHO STEPWISE tool for surveillance of NCDs. Data was collected by face-to-face interview and measurement of Anthropometry, Blood pressure and Fasting Blood sugar using pre-tested questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS 20. Logistic regression was used to identify associated factors with Dysglycemia and the result was presented by text, tables and figures. Results: The overall prevalence of Dysglycemia is 18.6% (49/264) among adults older than 40yrs.T2DM accounts for 5.7% (15/264) and IFG for 12.9% (34/264). Physical inactivity [COR =2.5, 95%CI (1.2, 5.36)], and waist circumference [COR=2.98, 95%CI (1.5, 5.9)] are positively associated with dysglycemia. Presence of family history of DM [AOR=2.45, 95%CI (1.08, 5.52)] , Being Overweight [AOR=3.8, 95%CI(1.84, 7.95)] and Obese [AOR=7.78, 95%CI(2.90, 20.91)] are Independent predictors of dysglycemia. Conclusion: In this study, there was high prevalence of Dysglycemia. Physical inactivity and central obesity (Waist circumference) are positively associated with dysglycemia, while having family history of DM, or Higher BMI (Overweight or Obese) are risk factors for dysglycemia.

Prevalence of Dysglycemia and associated factors in Jimma Town, SW Ethiopia: A community based Cross-sectional study.

2025-11-03T08:22:35Z