Association of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy with Hypertension, Diabetes and its Association with Gender at Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar

Abstract

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a primary myocardial disorder characterized by unexplained left ventricular hypertrophy and is associated with heart failure, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus are common cardiovascular risk factors that may influence the development and clinical presentation of HCM. However, limited local evidence is available regarding their association with HCM in the Pakistani population.

Objective: To determine the association of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and gender among patients presenting to Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar.

Methodology: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Cardiology Unit of Lady Reading Hospital (Medical Teaching Institute), Peshawar. A total of 100 participants were enrolled using a convenience sampling technique. Patients with hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or diabetes mellitus who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included. Data were collected using a structured proforma after obtaining informed consent and ethical approval. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22. Continuous variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation, while categorical variables were presented as frequencies and percentages. The Chi-square test was applied to determine the association between HCM and hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and gender. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: A total of 100 participants were included, comprising 55 (55.0%) males and 45 (45.0%) females, with a mean age of 61.54 ± 13.17 years (range: 26–90 years). Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was diagnosed in 86 (86.0%) participants, including 48 males and 38 females. Hypertension was present in 88 participants, of whom 86 had HCM. A statistically significant association was observed between hypertension and HCM (Pearson Chi-square = 83.766, p < 0.001). Diabetes mellitus was present in 49 participants; however, no statistically significant association was found between diabetes mellitus and HCM (Pearson Chi-square = 2.719, p = 0.099). HCM was more frequently observed in males than females.

Conclusion: Hypertension showed a significant association with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, suggesting that hypertensive patients are at increased risk of developing myocardial hypertrophy compatible with HCM. In contrast, diabetes mellitus was not significantly associated with HCM in the present study. Although HCM was more common among males, further large-scale multicenter studies are recommended to better evaluate the influence of gender and other cardiovascular risk factors on the occurrence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.