Yield of family screening in dilated cardiomyopathy within low-income setting: Tanzanian experience

LS Fundikira, J Julius, P Chillo,H Mayala, E Kifai, LW van Laake, A Kamuhabwa, G Kwesigabo, FW Asselbergs

Abstract

Background: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is often familial and screening of relatives is recommended. However, studies on the yield of screening are scarce in developing countries.
Aim: The aim of the study was to identify and characterise first-degree relatives of patients with DCM in Tanzania.
Methods: We recruited first-degree relatives of 57 DCM patients. DCM in the relatives was diagnosed using the 2016 revised definition by the European Society of Cardiology working group on myocardial and pericardial diseases.
Results: We screened 120 first-degree relatives. All were asymptomatic (100%) with a median age of 39.0 years (29.5–49.0), slightly over a half (53.3%) were females and 17 (14.1%) were found to have previously unknown DCM. The mean (± SD) indexed left ventricular end-diastolic volume was significantly higher in relatives with DCM (71 ± 11.5 ml) compared to relatives without DCM (50 ± 11.5) (p = 0.001).
Conclusion: First-degree relatives of patients with DCM are at risk of developing asymptomatic DCM at a young age.