Electrocardiographic patterns in an urban community of South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study was to obtain EKG parameters in an urban community in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) and other abnormalities, including the long QT syndrome, and to determine factors associated with such abnormalities.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study conducted from June 2022 to April 2023 in Bukavu, in the eastern region of the DRC, involving 413 (>16-year old) participants, grouped according to gender (44.8% females) and according to age (subjects aged ≥30 years; mean ± SEM: 56.4 ± 0.8 years, n = 190, versus subjects aged < 30 years; mean ± SEM: 24.1 ± 0.17 years, n = 223). Demographic, clinical and electrocardiographic data were collected. Various EKG parameters were measured or calculated.

RESULTS

Average standard EKG parameters (RR, PR and QT interval durations, QRS duration and mean axis, T wave amplitude) had values within known reference values. The Sokolow-Lyon index was high (>38 mm in 15.0% of participants). ST segment elevation presents in anterior precordial leads, mainly in males and young participants, rarely exceeded 2 mm. Prolonged QTc (>440-ms) was present in 11.4% of participants and was associated with female gender, hypertension and diabetes. There was only 1 case of atrial fibrillation.

CONCLUSION

Mean EKG parameters in the population of Bukavu are similar to those found in other regions of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and in the world. Except for large Sokolow-Lyon indices EKG variants such as large ST segment elevation and T wave inversion found among asymptomatic Blacks in certain other regions of SSA are not found in Bukavu. The scarcity of AF suggests that other aetiologies do account for the increasing incidence of ischaemic strokes in the studied population. Prolonged QTc was related to female gender, hypertension and diabetes.