Comorbidities Associated with Hospitalized Heart Failure in Libya

Abstract

Education about different comorbidities among heart failure patients is crucial for optimizing care and outcomes. This work is aimed to correlate age and  sex to comorbidities of patients diagnosed with heart failure and to estimate the relation between commonest comorbidities to other comorbidities. A cross-sectional study was  performed from 1st April 2024 to 1st October 2024.  Data were collected data from Cardiology Department at Tripoli University Hospital (TUH).  40 patients were admitted and diagnosed with many health difficulties including heart failure, arterial hypertension, diabetes, hypothyroidism, Ischemic heart disease (IHD), atrial fibrillation, chronic obstructive airway disease (COPD), bronchial Asthma, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), anemia, chronic kidney disease (CKD), valvular heart disease (VHD), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Data showed that the most common comorbidity (>90%),  was a primary risk factor for HF development (especially HFpEF). Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) considered as a powerful independent predictor of mortality and readmission and  represented about 40-50% of hospitalized HF patients. While, diabetes mellitus (DM) represented 30-45% of hospitalized HF patients. This might accelerate atherosclerosis, promote myocardial dysfunction (diabetic cardiomyopathy), complicates fluid/electrolyte management, and increase infection risk. Also, SGLT2 inhibitors had revolutionized the care for HF patients with diabetes mellitus. Moreover, 30-50% of hospitalized HF patients were diagnosed with anemia which contributed to reduced oxygen delivery, worsening symptoms (fatigue, dyspnea), and associated with increased mortality and readmissions. A strong healthy management is required to enhance health of patients with heart failure.