Endomyocardial Fibrosis: Decreasing Prevalence Or Missed Diagnoses?

Abstract

Objective: The prevalence of endomyocardial fibrosis is reported to on the decline worldwide. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of endomyocardial fibrosis and the possible contribution of missed diagnoses, at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu.

Materials and Methods: The case records of patients admitted into the paediatric and adult medical wards of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, between November 1993 and 1999 inclusive were reviewed. Echocardiography records in the same hospital between January 1991 and October 1991, inclusive, were equally analyzed

Results: Nine of the total admitted patients and 16 of the echocardiographic records were diagnosed as having endomyocardial fibrosis. This shown a prevalence of 0.09% and 0.8% respectively. Four (44.4%) of the admitted endomyocardial fibrosis, and 31.2%of in the echo- documented case, were within the first three decades of life. The rate of missed diagnosis was quite high (75%)

Conclusion: compared with the earlier prevalence rate of 10% for the same environment is the prevalence of endomyocardial fibrosis decreasing, or would missed diagnosis account for the trend obtainable now? More concerted efforts at the provision use of diagnosis facilities are advocated to unravel the true picture.

KEY WORDS: Endomyocardial fibrosis, prevalence, missed Diagnosis

Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol.6(2) 2003: 95-98