Main Characteristics of Patients with Chest Pain in the Emergency Department.

Abstract

Background Chest pain is common among patients in emergency departments (EDs) worldwide, with significant implications for patient outcomes. This study aims to characterize patients presenting with non-cardiac and cardiac chest pain in the ED of The Cuban Hospital of Qatar. Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study from September 1 to October 31, 2023, involving 131 patients with chest pain, excluding 13, resulting in a final sample of 118 patients. We compared non-cardiac (109 patients) and cardiac (9 patients) chest pain across various demographic and clinical variables. Statistical analysis included Chi-square tests, odds ratios, and confidence intervals with a significance level of 95%. Results Males constituted 78% of the study population, with a significant proportion (49.2%) under age 40. Cardiac chest pain was more common in the 40 to 60-year-old age group (88.9%) and among Southeast Asians (66.7%). Obesity (28.8%) and hypertension (27.1%) were the most common risk factors. Non-cardiac chest pain predominated in cases without electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities (93.6%), while inverted T waves were most frequent in cardiac chest pain (55.6%). Most patients (93.2%) were discharged, with a higher admission rate for cardiac chest pain (44.4%).