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Grisel B, Adisa O, Sakita FM, Tarimo TG, Kweka GL, Mlangi JJ, Maro AV, Yamamoto M, Coaxum L, Arthur D, Limkakeng AT, Hertz JT. Evaluating the performance of the HEART score in a Tanzanian emergency department. Acad Emerg Med 2024; 31:361-370. [PMID: 38400615 DOI: 10.1111/acem.14872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The HEART score successfully risk stratifies emergency department (ED) patients with chest pain in high-income settings. However, this tool has not been validated in low-income countries. METHODS This is a secondary analysis of a prospective observational study that was conducted in a Tanzanian ED from January 2019 through January 2023. Adult patients with chest pain were consecutively enrolled, and their presenting symptoms and medical history were recorded. Electrocardiograms and point-of-care troponin assays were obtained for all participants. Thirty-day follow-up was conducted, assessing for major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), defined as death, myocardial infarction, or coronary revascularization (coronary artery bypass grafting or percutaneous coronary intervention). HEART scores were calculated for all participants. Likelihood ratios, sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive values (NPVs) were calculated for each HEART cutoff score to predict 30-day MACEs, and area under the curve (AUC) was calculated from the receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS Of 927 participants with chest pain, the median (IQR) age was 61 (45.5-74.0) years. Of participants, 216 (23.3%) patients experienced 30-day MACEs, including 163 (17.6%) who died, 48 (5.2%) with myocardial infarction, and 23 (2.5%) with coronary revascularization. The positive likelihood ratio for each cutoff score ranged from 1.023 (95% CI 1.004-1.042; cutoff ≥ 1) to 3.556 (95% CI 1.929-6.555; cutoff ≥ 7). The recommended cutoff of ≥4 to identify patients at high risk of MACEs yielded a sensitivity of 59.4%, specificity of 52.8%, and NPV of 74.7%. The AUC was 0.61. CONCLUSIONS Among patients with chest pain in a Tanzanian ED, the HEART score did not perform as well as in high-income settings. Locally validated risk stratification tools are needed for ED patients with chest pain in low-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Braylee Grisel
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Olanrewaju Adisa
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Francis M Sakita
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Tumsifu G Tarimo
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Godfrey L Kweka
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Jerome J Mlangi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Amedeus V Maro
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Marilyn Yamamoto
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lauren Coaxum
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - David Arthur
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alexander T Limkakeng
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Julian T Hertz
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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Hertz JT, Sakita FM, Prattipati S, Coaxum L, Tarimo TG, Kweka GL, Mlangi JJ, Stark K, Thielman NM, Bosworth HB, Bettger JP. Improving acute myocardial infarction care in northern Tanzania: barrier identification and implementation strategy mapping. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:393. [PMID: 38549108 PMCID: PMC10979618 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-10831-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence-based care for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) reduces morbidity and mortality. Prior studies in Tanzania identified substantial gaps in the uptake of evidence-based AMI care. Implementation science has been used to improve uptake of evidence-based AMI care in high-income settings, but interventions to improve quality of AMI care have not been studied in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants from key stakeholder groups (patients, providers, and healthcare administrators) in northern Tanzania. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted using a guide informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Interview transcripts were coded to identify barriers to AMI care, using the 39 CFIR constructs. Barriers relevant to emergency department (ED) AMI care were retained, and the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) tool was used to match barriers with Level 1 recommendations for targeted implementation strategies. RESULTS Thirty key stakeholders, including 10 patients, 10 providers, and 10 healthcare administrators were enrolled. Thematic analysis identified 11 barriers to ED-based AMI care: complexity of AMI care, cost of high-quality AMI care, local hospital culture, insufficient diagnostic and therapeutic resources, inadequate provider training, limited patient knowledge of AMI, need for formal implementation leaders, need for dedicated champions, failure to provide high-quality care, poor provider-patient communication, and inefficient ED systems. Seven of these barriers had 5 strong ERIC recommendations: access new funding, identify and prepare champions, conduct educational meetings, develop educational materials, and distribute educational materials. CONCLUSIONS Multiple barriers across several domains limit the uptake of evidence-based AMI care in northern Tanzania. The CFIR-ERIC mapping approach identified several targeted implementation strategies for addressing these barriers. A multi-component intervention is planned to improve uptake of evidence-based AMI care in Tanzania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian T Hertz
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Francis M Sakita
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center, Moshi, Tanzania
| | | | - Lauren Coaxum
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | | | | | - Kristen Stark
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Nathan M Thielman
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Hayden B Bosworth
- Department of Internal Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Janet P Bettger
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
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Rahim FO, Sakita FM, Coaxum L, Maro AV, Ford JS, Hatter K, Gedion K, Ezad SM, Galson SW, Bloomfield GS, Limkakeng AT, Kessy MS, Mmbaga B, Hertz JT. Longitudinal ECG changes among adults with HIV in Tanzania: A prospective cohort study. PLOS Glob Public Health 2023; 3:e0002525. [PMID: 37878582 PMCID: PMC10599566 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is rising among people with HIV (PWH) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Despite the utility of the electrocardiogram (ECG) in screening for CVD, there is limited data regarding longitudinal ECG changes among PWH in SSA. In this study, we aimed to describe ECG changes over a 6-month period in a cohort of PWH in northern Tanzania. Between September 2020 and March 2021, adult PWH were recruited from Majengo HIV Care and Treatment Clinic (MCTC) in Moshi, Tanzania. Trained research assistants surveyed participants and obtained a baseline ECG. Participants then returned to MCTC for a 6-month follow-up, where another ECG was obtained. Two independent physician adjudicators interpreted baseline and follow-up ECGs for rhythm, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), bundle branch blocks, ST-segment changes, and T-wave inversion, using standardized criteria. New ECG abnormalities were defined as those that were absent in a patient's baseline ECG but present in their 6-month follow-up ECG. Of 500 enrolled participants, 476 (95.2%) completed follow-up. The mean (± SD) age of participants was 45.7 (± 11.0) years, 351 (73.7%) were female, and 495 (99.8%) were taking antiretroviral therapy. At baseline, 248 (52.1%) participants had one or more ECG abnormalities, the most common of which were LVH (n = 108, 22.7%) and T-wave inversion (n = 89, 18.7%). At six months, 112 (23.5%) participants developed new ECG abnormalities, including 40 (8.0%) cases of new T-wave inversion, 22 (4.6%) cases of new LVH, 12 (2.5%) cases of new ST elevation, and 11 (2.3%) cases of new prolonged QTc. Therefore, new ECG changes were common over a relatively short 6-month period, which suggests that subclinical CVD may develop rapidly in PWH in Tanzania. These data highlight the need for additional studies on CVD in PWH in SSA and the importance of routine CVD screening in this high-risk population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faraan O. Rahim
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Francis M. Sakita
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Lauren Coaxum
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | | | - James S. Ford
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Kate Hatter
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Kalipa Gedion
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Saad M. Ezad
- British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at the School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine and Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie W. Galson
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Gerald S. Bloomfield
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Internal Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Alexander T. Limkakeng
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | | | - Blandina Mmbaga
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Julian T. Hertz
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
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Sakita FM, Prattipati S, Chick J, Samu LP, Maro AV, Coaxum L, Galson SW, Samuel D, Limkakeng AT, O'Leary PR, Kilonzo KG, Thielman NM, Temu G, Hertz JT. Six-month blood pressure and glucose control among HIV-infected adults with elevated blood pressure and hyperglycemia in northern Tanzania: A prospective observational study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285472. [PMID: 37155672 PMCID: PMC10166506 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND People with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa are increasingly developing age-related comorbidities. The purpose of this prospective observational study was to describe 6-month outcomes among Tanzanians with HIV and elevated blood pressure or hyperglycemia under current care pathways. METHODS Adults presenting for routine HIV care were enrolled and underwent blood pressure and blood glucose measurements. Participants with abnormal blood pressure or glucose were referred for further care, as per current guidelines. Participants' blood pressure and point-of-care glucose were re-evaluated during their 6-month follow-up visit. Elevated blood pressure was defined as systolic ≥140 mmHg or diastolic ≥90 mmHg. Hyperglycemia was defined as fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dl or random glucose ≥200 mg/dl. An electrocardiogram was obtained at enrollment and at follow-up. Interim myocardial infarction and interim myocardial ischemia were defined as new pathologic Q waves and new T-wave inversions, respectively. RESULTS Of 500 participants, 155 had elevated blood pressure and 17 had hyperglycemia at enrolment. At 6-month follow-up, 7 (4.6%) of 155 participants with elevated blood pressure reported current use of an anti-hypertensive medication, 100 (66.2%) had persistent elevated blood pressure, 12 (7.9%) developed interim myocardial infarction, and 13 (8.6%) developed interim myocardial ischemia. Among 17 participants with hyperglycemia, 9 (56%) had persistent hyperglycemia at 6 months and 2 (12.5%) reported current use of an anti-hyperglycemic medication. CONCLUSIONS Interventions are needed to improve non-communicable disease care pathways among Tanzanians with HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis M Sakita
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Sainikitha Prattipati
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Jordan Chick
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Linda P Samu
- Health Department, Moshi Municipal Council, Moshi, Tanzania
| | | | - Lauren Coaxum
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Sophie W Galson
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | | | - Alexander T Limkakeng
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Paige R O'Leary
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Kajiru G Kilonzo
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Nathan M Thielman
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Gloria Temu
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Julian T Hertz
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
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Farcas AM, Joiner AP, Rudman JS, Ramesh K, Torres G, Crowe RP, Curtis T, Tripp R, Bowers K, von Isenburg M, Logan R, Coaxum L, Salazar G, Lozano M, Page D, Haamid A. Disparities in Emergency Medical Services Care Delivery in the United States: A Scoping Review. PREHOSP EMERG CARE 2022; 27:1058-1071. [PMID: 36369725 DOI: 10.1080/10903127.2022.2142344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emergency medical services (EMS) often serve as the first medical contact for ill or injured patients, representing a critical access point to the health care delivery continuum. While a growing body of literature suggests inequities in care within hospitals and emergency departments, limited research has comprehensively explored disparities related to patient demographic characteristics in prehospital care. OBJECTIVE We aimed to summarize the existing literature on disparities in prehospital care delivery for patients identifying as members of an underrepresented race, ethnicity, sex, gender, or sexual orientation group. METHODS We conducted a scoping review of peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed (gray) literature. We searched PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Proquest Dissertations, Scopus, Google, and professional websites for studies set in the U.S. between 1960 and 2021. Each abstract and full-text article was screened by two reviewers. Studies written in English that addressed the underrepresented groups of interest and investigated EMS-related encounters were included. Studies were excluded if a disparity was noted incidentally but was not a stated objective or discussed. Data extraction was conducted using a standardized electronic form. Results were summarized qualitatively using an inductive approach. RESULTS One hundred forty-five full-text articles from the peer-reviewed literature and two articles from the gray literature met inclusion criteria: 25 studies investigated sex/gender, 61 studies investigated race/ethnicity, and 58 studies investigated both. One study investigated sexual orientation. The most common health conditions evaluated were out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (n = 50), acute coronary syndrome (n = 36), and stroke (n = 31). The phases of EMS care investigated included access (n = 55), pre-arrival care (n = 46), diagnosis/treatment (n = 42), and response/transport (n = 40), with several studies covering multiple phases. Disparities were identified related to all phases of EMS care for underrepresented groups, including symptom recognition, pain management, and stroke identification. The gray literature identified public perceptions of EMS clinicians' cultural competency and the ability to appropriately care for transgender patients in the prehospital setting. CONCLUSIONS Existing research highlights health disparities in EMS care delivery throughout multiple health outcomes and phases of EMS care. Future research is needed to identify structured mechanisms to eliminate disparities, address clinician bias, and provide high-quality equitable care for all patient populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andra M Farcas
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Anjni P Joiner
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jordan S Rudman
- Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Karthik Ramesh
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
| | | | | | | | - Rickquel Tripp
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Karen Bowers
- Atlanta Fire Rescue Department; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, Chattanooga, Tennessee
| | - Megan von Isenburg
- Duke University Medical Center Library, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Robert Logan
- San Diego Fire - Rescue Department, San Diego, California
| | - Lauren Coaxum
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | - Michael Lozano
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - David Page
- Department of Emergency Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Ameera Haamid
- Section of Emergency Medicine, University of Chicago School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
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