Frequency of Cor-Pulmonale in Asthma Patients attending a Tertiary Care Hospital, Peshawar

Abstract

Background: Cor-Pulmonale, also known as right-sided heart failure is the anatomical and physiological deterioration of the right ventricle of the heart secondary to respiratory diseases. Long-term pulmonary disorders cause hypoxia, which leads to corpulmonale. COPD is one of the most common causes of Cor-Pulmonale and respiratory disorders with Cor-pulmonale having a strong association with hospital admission and poor mortality rate. The prevalence of Cor-pulmonale varies in various countries depending on the burden of respiratory diseases and other associated risk factors. There is very limited information on cor-pulmonale in asthmatic patients in Pakistan. Objective: The aims of this study were to determine the frequency of Cor-pulmonale in patients presented with asthma to OPD in a tertiary care hospital MTI-Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the Pulmonology unit, Lady Reading Hospital-MTI Peshawar; from 15 Jan 2020 to 15 Jun 2020. Based on the criteria for inclusion, 130 patients were selected through the convenience sampling technique. Basic demographics like age, gender, duration of asthma, and weight on the weighing scale in a standing position were noted. All patients underwent chest X-rays and then echocardiography. Data regarding Cor-pulmonale was recorded as per operational definition. Results: Mean and SDs for age were 37.22+13.289, weight 77.79+5.662, height 5.498+0.0816, BMI 28.299+2.0568, duration of asthma 2.55+0.694. There were 73 (56.2%) patients under the age of 40, and 57 (43.8%) patients above the age of 40. There were 94 (72.3%) males and 36 (27.7%) females among the patients. A total of 25 participants (19.2%) had a family history of the disease. As per Cor-pulmonale in patients with asthma, 27 (20.8%) patients were recorded with Cor-pulmonale. Conclusion: In our study, we found that 20.8% of asthmatic patients were suffering from Cor-pulmonale. Men were seen as slightly more affected than females. It was recorded more frequently as the duration of asthma advanced among the participants. Alarming findings also noted that Cor-pulmonale was found in a relatively younger age group in our study as compared to data from other studies. Key words: Cor-Pulmonale; Asthma; Oxygen Therapy