Annals of Global Health
Volume 85, Issue 1, 2019

Heart disease in adult syrian refugees: Experience at Jordan University Hospital (Article) (Open Access)

Bani Hani A.* , Abu Abeeleh M. , Al Smady M. , Shaban M. , Al Kharabsheh M. , Al-Tamimi Z. , Eifert S.
  • a General Surgery Department, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
  • b General Surgery Department, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
  • c General Surgery Department, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
  • d General Surgery Department, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
  • e General Surgery Department, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
  • f General Surgery Department, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
  • g Dept. of Cardiac Surgery, University Munich, Germany

Abstract

Background: Since 2011, 1.26 million Syrians have immigrated to Jordan, increasing demands on Healthcare service. Information about cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Syrian refugees in general, and specifically in Jordan, is unknown. Objectives: The study aimed to describe CVD in Syrian refugee adults who were referred to Jordan University Hospital (JUH) in terms of diagnosis, presentation, outcome, sources of funding for treatment, and to follow these patients after their discharge. Methods: From January 2012 to October 2016, retrospective analysis was performed on the data of Syrian patients who were referred to JUH. This study describes the diagnoses, treatment, and outcome. It also discusses the funding sources; a follow-up was conducted until January 2017. Results: There were 969 patients referred to JUH with CVD; median age was 56 years, 686 (72.2%) of them were males and 283 (27.8%) were females. Of the patients, 584 had hypertension (60%), 308 (31%) had diabetes mellitus, 281 (29.0%) suffered from dyslipidemia, and 237 were smokers (24%). There were 69.6% who had coronary artery disease (CAD) and 20 patients (2%) had valvular heart disease. Treatment was offered to 489 patients (49.5%), but only 322 (65.8% of treatment offered and 33.2% of referrals) of them received the intended treatment. Mortality rate was 3% and loss of follow-up was 49.2%. Funding for procedures mostly came from the Jordanian Health Aid Organization, the United Nations, NGOs, and charities. Sixty-four (13.3% of referred) patients were denied any funding during the time frame of this study. Conclusions: CVD is a major issue for both Syrian refugee patients and the Jordanian healthcare system. CAD and classic cardiovascular risk factors (specifically arterial hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia) are most common in this specific population. Inadequate primary healthcare, suboptimal living conditions, lack of funding, and loss of patient contact are among the major challenges facing this vulnerable population. © 2019 The Author(s).

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

catheter ablation coronary artery bypass surgery interventional cardiovascular procedure valvular heart disease clinical outcome aortic disease heart catheterization refugee university hospital hospital discharge follow up clinical feature human middle aged diabetes mellitus hypertension heart arrhythmia funding Young Adult cross-sectional study Hospital Mortality smoking Adolescent male female patient referral Infant newborn heart disease peripheral vascular disease social welfare Article health care percutaneous coronary intervention major clinical study Syrian adult mortality rate kidney failure dyslipidemia retrospective study heart failure coronary artery disease Child

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85063609223&doi=10.5334%2faogh.2474&partnerID=40&md5=d17c77ab7aaad729c040540a39fe820e

DOI: 10.5334/aogh.2474
ISSN: 22149996
Original Language: English