Abstract
BackgroundThe frequency of heart failure (HF) in Tunisia is on the rise and has now become a public health concern. This is mainly due to an aging Tunisian population (Tunisia has one of the oldest populations in Africa as well as the highest life expectancy in the continent) and an increase in coronary artery disease and hypertension. However, no extensive data are available on demographic characteristics, prognosis, and quality of care of patients with HF in Tunisia (nor in North Africa).ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to analyze, follow, and evaluate patients with HF in a large nation-wide multicenter trial.MethodsA total of 1700 patients with HF diagnosed by the investigator will be included in the National Tunisian Registry of Heart Failure study (NATURE-HF). Patients must visit the cardiology clinic 1, 3, and 12 months after study inclusion. This follow-up is provided by the investigator. All data are collected via the DACIMA Clinical Suite web interface.ResultsAt the end of the study, we will note the occurrence of cardiovascular death (sudden death, coronary artery disease, refractory HF, stroke), death from any cause (cardiovascular and noncardiovascular), and the occurrence of a rehospitalization episode for an HF relapse during the follow-up period. Based on these data, we will evaluate the demographic characteristics of the study patients, the characteristics of pathological antecedents, and symptomatic and clinical features of HF. In addition, we will report the paraclinical examination findings such as the laboratory standard parameters and brain natriuretic peptides, electrocardiogram or 24-hour Holter monitoring, echocardiography, and coronarography. We will also provide a description of the therapeutic environment and therapeutic changes that occur during the 1-year follow-up of patients, adverse events following medical treatment and intervention during the 3- and 12-month follow-up, the evaluation of left ventricular ejection fraction during the 3- and 12-month follow-up, the overall rate of rehospitalization over the 1-year follow-up for an HF relapse, and the rate of rehospitalization during the first 3 months after inclusion into the study.ConclusionsThe NATURE-HF study will fill a significant gap in the dynamic landscape of HF care and research. It will provide unique and necessary data on the management and outcomes of patients with HF. This study will yield the largest contemporary longitudinal cohort of patients with HF in Tunisia.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03262675; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03262675International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/12262
Highlights
BackgroundHeart failure (HF) has experienced epidemic growth and has become frequent worldwide
At the end of the study, we will note the occurrence of cardiovascular death, death from any cause, and the occurrence of a rehospitalization episode for an heart failure (HF) relapse during the follow-up period
We will evaluate the demographic characteristics of the study patients, the characteristics of pathological antecedents, and symptomatic and clinical features of HF
Summary
BackgroundHeart failure (HF) has experienced epidemic growth and has become frequent worldwide. The prevalence of HF among the adult population in developed countries is 1%-2%; this rate rises to 10% or more among people aged over 70 [1]. According to recently published data, nearly 26 million people worldwide are living with HF; in particular, in Europe, this number is estimated to be 15 million [1,2]. The frequency of heart failure (HF) in Tunisia is on the rise and has become a public health concern. This is mainly due to an aging Tunisian population (Tunisia has one of the oldest populations in Africa as well as the highest life expectancy in the continent) and an increase in coronary artery disease and hypertension. No extensive data are available on demographic characteristics, prognosis, and quality of care of patients with HF in Tunisia (nor in North Africa)
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