Epidemiological Aspect of Pericarditis during Systemic Diseases at the University Hospital of Bogodogo: 13 Cases

Introduction/Objective: Systemic pericarditis is caused by inflammation of the pericardial leaflets during systemic diseases. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological aspects of systemic pericarditis at Bogodogo University Hospital. Patients and Methods: This were a descriptive cross-sectional study in the cardiology department of Bogodogo University Hospital from 1ᵉʳ January 2017 to 31 December 2023. We had included all patients admitted for pericardial effusion secondary to systemic disease. The variables collected were sociodemographic, clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic and evolutionary. Results: A total of 13 patients were included, 9 women and 4 men. The mean age was 36.53 years (range 16-78 years). Asymptomatic forms accounted for 61.54% of our population. Chest pain, dyspnea and pericardial friction were found in 30.76%, 38.46% and 53.84% of patients respectively. Pericardial effusion was circumferential in 12 patients, with two cases of tamponade. Corticosteroid therapy combined with immunosuppressive treatment was instituted in 8 cases. The outcome was favorable in 69.23% of cases. Four deaths occurred, including two dues to tamponade and two other cases due to acute respiratory distress. Conclusion: Pericarditis of systemic origin is relatively less frequent at Bogodogo University Hospital. Their aetiologies are dominated by systemic lupus erythematosus, with a high mortality rate.