Characteristics of patients hospitalized in the cardiology department of Charles Nicolle Hospital between 1994 and 1998: preliminary results of the Tunisian study

Abstract

Tunisian epidemiological data on cardiovascular diseases in hospital settings are scarce. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of different cardiovascular pathologies and the associated risk factors among patients hospitalized in the cardiology department of Charles Nicolle Hospital between 1994 and 1998. The sample of 3593 patients consisted of 2011 men and 1582 women. 44.9% of patients were hospitalized for ischemic heart disease, 20.6% for valvular heart disease, 4.3% for cardiomyopathy, 17.7% for rhythm and conduction disorders, 3.9% for hypertension, and 8.6% for other pathologies. The frequency of smoking, dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity was respectively 72.5%, 31.1%, 32.3%, 31.8%, and 4.5% among men, and 6.3%, 27.5%, 45.2%, 30.0%, and 8.7% among women. With this cardiovascular risk profile, a comprehensive program of primary prevention and promotion of cardiovascular health is a necessity in Tunisia, in addition to secondary prevention actions targeting certain chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.