Prevalence, Clinical Features, and Associated Factors of Atrial Fibrillation Among Hypertensive Patients at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda

Yahye Mohamed Jama, Mohamed Jayte, Abishir Mohamud Hersi, Prosper Muhammad, Alina Peris, Abdirahman Ibrahim Saed, Mustafe Hussein, Ahmed Hussein, Awil Abdulkadir Abdi, Ibrahim Ahmed Nur, Mukhtar Hassan Mohamud Internal Medicine Department at Kampala International University, Kampala, UgandaCorrespon...

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Main Authors: Jama YM, Jayte M, Hersi AM, Muhammad P, Peris A, Saed AI, Hussein M, Hussein A, Abdi AA, Nur IA, Mohamud MH
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Dove Medical Press 2025-08-01
Series:Research Reports in Clinical Cardiology
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Online Access:https://www.dovepress.com/prevalence-clinical-features-and-associated-factors-of-atrial-fibrilla-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-RRCC
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author Jama YM
Jayte M
Hersi AM
Muhammad P
Peris A
Saed AI
Hussein M
Hussein A
Abdi AA
Nur IA
Mohamud MH
author_facet Jama YM
Jayte M
Hersi AM
Muhammad P
Peris A
Saed AI
Hussein M
Hussein A
Abdi AA
Nur IA
Mohamud MH
author_sort Jama YM
collection DOAJ
description Yahye Mohamed Jama, Mohamed Jayte, Abishir Mohamud Hersi, Prosper Muhammad, Alina Peris, Abdirahman Ibrahim Saed, Mustafe Hussein, Ahmed Hussein, Awil Abdulkadir Abdi, Ibrahim Ahmed Nur, Mukhtar Hassan Mohamud Internal Medicine Department at Kampala International University, Kampala, UgandaCorrespondence: Yahye Mohamed Jama, Internal Medicine Department at Kampala International University, Kampala, P.O. Box 7062, Uganda, Tel +256756996492, Email jama.yahye@studwc.kiu.ac.ugBackground: Studies in various contexts have shown that atrial fibrillation (AF) among hypertensive patients varies in prevalence, clinical features, and associated factors. However, in Uganda, including Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital (FPRRH), there is limited data on these aspects. This study assessed the prevalence, clinical features, and associated factors of AF among hypertensive patients attending FPRRH.Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the medical outpatient clinic of FPRRH from October 2022 to January 2023. Hypertensive patients were consecutively enrolled during clinic visits. Data on sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical characteristics were collected. AF prevalence was calculated as the proportion of hypertensive patients diagnosed with AF, and logistic regression was used to identify associated factors. Variables with p < 0.2, odds ratios ≥ 2 or ≤ 0.5, or biological plausibility were included in the multivariable model. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Data analysis was performed using Stata version 15.2.Findings: Among 140 hypertensive patients, the prevalence of AF was 10% (n = 14). Most AF patients presented with fatigue (71.4%) and palpitations (71.4%), 28.6% reported syncope, while physical inactivity (29.3%). Physical inactivity (Adjusted Odds Ratio - AOR = 16.3, 95% CI: 2.15– 64.30, p = 0.007) and abnormal pulse rates, low (AOR = 9.5, CI: 1.57– 36.02, p = 0.008) and high (AOR = 8.7, CI: 2.21– 25.09, p = 0.007), were significantly associated with AF.Conclusion: The prevalence of AF at FPRRH was 10%, higher than in many regional studies. Fatigue and palpitations were the most common symptoms. Physical inactivity and abnormal pulse rates were key predictors. Routine screening, promotion of moderate physical activity, and early pulse monitoring are essential to reduce AF burden in hypertensive populations.Keywords: atrial fibrillation, hypertension, prevalence, fatigue, palpitations
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series Research Reports in Clinical Cardiology
spelling doaj-art-56e191f173dd41d2af70a4a69776801c2025-08-20T03:41:11ZengDove Medical PressResearch Reports in Clinical Cardiology1179-84752025-08-01Volume 16Issue 12130105514Prevalence, Clinical Features, and Associated Factors of Atrial Fibrillation Among Hypertensive Patients at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, UgandaJama YMJayte M0Hersi AM1Muhammad P2Peris A3Saed AI4Hussein M5Hussein A6Abdi AA7Nur IA8Mohamud MH9Internal MedicineInternal MedicineInternal MedicineInternal MedicineInternal MedicineInternal MedicineInternal MedicineInternal MedicineInternal MedicineInternal MedicineYahye Mohamed Jama, Mohamed Jayte, Abishir Mohamud Hersi, Prosper Muhammad, Alina Peris, Abdirahman Ibrahim Saed, Mustafe Hussein, Ahmed Hussein, Awil Abdulkadir Abdi, Ibrahim Ahmed Nur, Mukhtar Hassan Mohamud Internal Medicine Department at Kampala International University, Kampala, UgandaCorrespondence: Yahye Mohamed Jama, Internal Medicine Department at Kampala International University, Kampala, P.O. Box 7062, Uganda, Tel +256756996492, Email jama.yahye@studwc.kiu.ac.ugBackground: Studies in various contexts have shown that atrial fibrillation (AF) among hypertensive patients varies in prevalence, clinical features, and associated factors. However, in Uganda, including Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital (FPRRH), there is limited data on these aspects. This study assessed the prevalence, clinical features, and associated factors of AF among hypertensive patients attending FPRRH.Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the medical outpatient clinic of FPRRH from October 2022 to January 2023. Hypertensive patients were consecutively enrolled during clinic visits. Data on sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical characteristics were collected. AF prevalence was calculated as the proportion of hypertensive patients diagnosed with AF, and logistic regression was used to identify associated factors. Variables with p < 0.2, odds ratios ≥ 2 or ≤ 0.5, or biological plausibility were included in the multivariable model. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Data analysis was performed using Stata version 15.2.Findings: Among 140 hypertensive patients, the prevalence of AF was 10% (n = 14). Most AF patients presented with fatigue (71.4%) and palpitations (71.4%), 28.6% reported syncope, while physical inactivity (29.3%). Physical inactivity (Adjusted Odds Ratio - AOR = 16.3, 95% CI: 2.15– 64.30, p = 0.007) and abnormal pulse rates, low (AOR = 9.5, CI: 1.57– 36.02, p = 0.008) and high (AOR = 8.7, CI: 2.21– 25.09, p = 0.007), were significantly associated with AF.Conclusion: The prevalence of AF at FPRRH was 10%, higher than in many regional studies. Fatigue and palpitations were the most common symptoms. Physical inactivity and abnormal pulse rates were key predictors. Routine screening, promotion of moderate physical activity, and early pulse monitoring are essential to reduce AF burden in hypertensive populations.Keywords: atrial fibrillation, hypertension, prevalence, fatigue, palpitationshttps://www.dovepress.com/prevalence-clinical-features-and-associated-factors-of-atrial-fibrilla-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-RRCCAtrial fibrillationHypertensionPrevalenceFatiguePalpitations
spellingShingle Jama YM
Jayte M
Hersi AM
Muhammad P
Peris A
Saed AI
Hussein M
Hussein A
Abdi AA
Nur IA
Mohamud MH
Prevalence, Clinical Features, and Associated Factors of Atrial Fibrillation Among Hypertensive Patients at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda
Research Reports in Clinical Cardiology
Atrial fibrillation
Hypertension
Prevalence
Fatigue
Palpitations
title Prevalence, Clinical Features, and Associated Factors of Atrial Fibrillation Among Hypertensive Patients at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda
title_full Prevalence, Clinical Features, and Associated Factors of Atrial Fibrillation Among Hypertensive Patients at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda
title_fullStr Prevalence, Clinical Features, and Associated Factors of Atrial Fibrillation Among Hypertensive Patients at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence, Clinical Features, and Associated Factors of Atrial Fibrillation Among Hypertensive Patients at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda
title_short Prevalence, Clinical Features, and Associated Factors of Atrial Fibrillation Among Hypertensive Patients at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda
title_sort prevalence clinical features and associated factors of atrial fibrillation among hypertensive patients at fort portal regional referral hospital uganda
topic Atrial fibrillation
Hypertension
Prevalence
Fatigue
Palpitations
url https://www.dovepress.com/prevalence-clinical-features-and-associated-factors-of-atrial-fibrilla-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-RRCC
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