PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF LEFT VENTRICULAR HYPERTROPHY AMONG ADULT PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION ATTENDING TREATMENT AT TWO PUBLIC HOSPITALS IN HARAR, EASTERN ETHIOPIA.: A HOSPITAL BASED CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Left ventricular hypertrophy is often a complication of hypertension and an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events. In Ethiopia, there is scarcity of data on prevalence and associated factors of left ventricular hypertrophy among hypertensive adults. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of left ventricular hypertrophy among adult patients with hypertension attending treatment at two public hospitals in Harar, Eastern Ethiopia from December 20, 2021 to December 20, 2023. Method: Hospital based cross sectional study was conducted on 264 hypertensive patients from December 20, 2021 to December 20, 2023. A pretested structured questionnaire and check list were used to collect data from participants and their clinical records. The data was collected by trained residents, and interns. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 29. Left ventricular mass was measured by transthoracic echocardiography. Associations between categorical variables were assessed using chi-square test and odds ratio with 95% confidence interval. Logistic regression model was done to identify risks factors of LVH. P values of < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Results: Two hundred sixty four (264) hypertensive adults were included in the study. The mean age was 58.4, and majority 54.5% were males. The overall prevalence of echocardiographically determined LVH was 30.7%. Majority of the patients had mild LVH at 51%. Age>60 years (AOR= 5.981, CI=1.832-19.522, P=0.003), diabetes (AOR=10.430, CI=2.904-37.454P=<0.001), poor adherence to medications (AOR=4.132CI=1.208-14.141, P=0.024), uncontrolled systolic BP (AOR=8.340, CI=2.280-30.512, P=0.001) and duration of hypertension (AOR=8.766, CI=2.101-36.584, P=0.003) were independent predictor of LVH. Conclusions: The echocardiographic prevalence of LVH was 30.7% in the study population.