Long COVID in Uganda: Electrographic findings among patients at risk
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Date
2023-03-13
Authors
Semulimi, Andrew Weil
Batte, Charles
Iraguha, Daniel
Okwir, Pamela Apio
Atuhaire, Hope
Lipoto, Chelsea
Muwonge, Tonny
Namirembe, Norah
Lubega, Grace Biyinzika
Ainembabazi, Provia
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wiley
Abstract
Background: COVID-19 has a significant cardiovascular involvement. An electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities among people at a risk of Long COVID in Uganda was investigated.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to June 2022 at the post COVID-19 clinic in Mulago National Specialized Hospital, Kampala. A standard resting ECG was performed on individuals at least 2 months following acute COVID-19, with a negative SARS-CoV-2 reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics as well as vital signs were recorded for all study participants.
Results: Of the 244 study participants, 117 (47.9%) were female. The median age of all the participants was 33.0 (interquartile range: 26.0–43.5) years. Twenty-five (10.2%) participants had a history of smoking, whereas 117 (48%) had a history
of alcohol intake. In total, 46 (18.9%) had abnormal ECG findings (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 14.39–24.29), and nonspecific T-wave inversion (n = 16, 34%) was the most frequent ECG abnormality. The proportion of participants with ECG abnormalities was 48% lower among females (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.28–0.96, p value <0.05) and twofold greater for those with a history of smoking (aPR: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.096–3.776, p value <0.05).
Conclusion: One in five Ugandans who were checked at the clinic at a risk of Long COVID showed ECG abnormalities. ECG screening is suggested to be integrated into the follow-up care of those at a risk of Long COVID
Description
Keywords
Africa, cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac conduction system disease, Long COVID, myocardial ischemia, pandemic, post-acute COVID-19 syndrome