A retrospective cohort study of myocarditis prevalence and diagnosis in Al-Baha region, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Carditis describes heart inflammation with a variety of symptoms ranging from mild chest pain to cardiac shock or even sudden death. Myocarditis will result in heart failure (HF) in around 12%–17% of adults, with a death rate of approximately 8.4/100,000. The causatives of myocarditis include viral, bacterial, fungal, and protozoan infections. Aims: This retrospective cohort study aimed to statistically analyze the prevalence and diagnosis of myocarditis and other cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) among admitted patients to Al-Baha Hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Setting and Design: The study involved 384 patients diagnosed with CVDs at Al-Baha Hospital between January 2017 and December 2022. Statistical Analysis and Results: Overall, patients' ages ranged from 25 to 94 years, averaging 59 ± 14. The majority of patients with different CVDs were aged between 41 and 70 years (69% myocardial infarction (MI), 48% HF, and 56% heart block). Most of the patients were male (80%), and 90% of the participants were Saudis. The incidence of CVDs showed a gradual increase between 2017 and 2019 and a dramatic increase in 2020 and 2022 compared to other years. The analysis included the most common laboratory markers aimed for the diagnosis. The result of the study showed an increase in lactate dehydrogenase (91%), creatine kinase (CK) (95%), CK-myocardial band (93%), aspartate aminotransferase (94%), and white blood cells (89%) of the patients who were diagnosed with MI compared to the other CVDs. Conclusions: It is important to note that while electrocardiogram, complete blood count, and cardiac profile form the core of the diagnostic protocol, additional diagnostic measures may be considered depending on the specific circumstances.

Keywords

• al-baha
• cardiovascular diseases
• incidence
• myocarditis
• prevalence