Study of Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Its Correlation to Age, Sex, Risk Factors, and Clinical Manifestations in Patients of Damascus Hospital.

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aim: The purpose of this study was to the identification of clinical manifestations and risk factors for patients with dilated cardiomyopathy in order to reduce complications, save patients' lives, and support the health system in Syria. Methods: This retrospective observational cohort study was conducted at the department of cardiology at Damascus Hospital in Damascus, Syria. We identified 125 patients with a diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy between 2013 and 2022. Patients’ clinical data were documented using Google Forms, and it was analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results: The most common age group in our study was the ages between 51-69 years which constituted 42%. As for sex, males constituted 69% of the sample, while females were only 31%. About 55% of the sample were smokers, and only 14% of patients were alcohol consumers. Patients who were diagnosed with DMC accounted for 80% of the sample. Symptoms included dyspnea which was the most common symptom among patients, with a percentage of 85%. The only statistical correlation with dilated cardiomyopathy was diabetes, as the percentage of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy who were suffering from diabetes was 72%, compared to only 28% of those who suffer from diabetes and those who do not have dilated cardiomyopathy. Conclusion: DCM is a non-ischemic cardiomyopathy with structural and functional cardiomyopathy abnormalities. It is necessary not to neglect the family history of cardiac diseases due to its importance in diagnosing heart diseases especially in young patients.