Clinical characteristics and causes of non-cardiac pulmonary hypertension in two major tertiary teaching hospitals in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional descriptive study.

backgroundThe development of pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a critical event in the prognosis of many cardiopulmonary diseases. There is a paucity of data with respect to non-cardiac PH in Ethiopia. Hence, this study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of non-cardiac PH and identify common underlying pathologies by using echocardiography. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional descriptive study included patients with echocardiographic evidence of non-cardiac PH at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital and St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College between January 1, 2017, and June 30, 2022. A high probability of PH based on the 2015 ESC/ERS echocardiographic screening criteria was used to define positive cases. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 23.

resultsThe study included 134 patients with non-cardiac PH, 67.9% of whom were female. The majority of participants (65.3%) were from urban areas, and three-quarters were in the age range between 30 and 70 years. Cough, fatigue, and/or peripheral edema were the main presentations (67%). The three most prevalent known risk factors identified for PH were a history of pulmonary tuberculosis (26.1%), use of biomass fuel for cooking (73.9%), and a history of deep vein thrombosis (12.7%). Post-tuberculosis pulmonary sequelae, interstitial lung diseases, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were the three most common underlying diseases identified in the study participants.

conclusionsA history of pulmonary tuberculosis and the use of biomass fuels for cooking were the two most common risk factors reported in patients with non-cardiac PH at two major tertiary teaching hospitals in Ethiopia. These findings highlight the need for further research to explore causal relationships and inform targeted public health interventions.