Cross-Sectional Study of Ethnicity and Chronic Heart Failure: Complex Interplay of Health and Wealth

Objectives: Extrapolating data from international and regional registries on chronic heart failure provides a challenge in Malaysia in view of it being a multicultural country. This study aimed to illustrate the chronic heart failure landscape within northern Kuala Lumpur and identify differences amongst major ethnic groups. Methods: A retrospective, single-centre study was conducted between the 1st January 2013 and 30th April 2016. Patients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤45% were identified and information was collected on these individuals’ demographics, risk factors, and aetiology. Comparisons were made between three major ethnic groups within Malaysia, and between the author’s database and that of other international registries. Results: 1,181 patients were identified, the majority being Malays (67.3%) and male (81.2%). The mean age was 58.2±11.7 years. The majority had ischaemic risk factors, including previous and current smoking habits (56.7%), coronary artery disease (66.1%), hypertension (71.2%), diabetes (61.8%), and dyslipidaemia (47.9%). There were significant differences noted when looking at rates of dyslipidaemia, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, and chronic kidney disease amongst different ethnicities. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction in Malays was lower (33.1±9.6%) compared to that of Chinese (34.7±8.7%) and Indians (34.9±8.3%). There was marked differences seen in this study’s cohort, compared to three major Asian registries: The 2003 Chong et al. registry, Inter-CHF, and ASIAN-HF. Conclusion: There exists great disparity in chronic heart failure burden amongst populations, and therefore local registries are needed to narrow the gap in knowledge regarding chronic heart failure within Malaysia.