Comparative Study of Acute Coronary Syndrome with Persistent ST-Segment Elevation (STEMI) between Diabetics and Non-Diabetics in Dakar, Senegal

Introduction: This study aimed to compare the frequency of diabetic and non-diabetic patients admitted for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), assess their epidemiological, clinical, and paraclinical profiles, and evaluate their therapeutic strategies and outcomes. Methodology: A descriptive, analytical, comparative study with prospective and retrospective data collection was conducted from April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021. Diabetic and non-diabetic patients with STEMI admitted to a cardiology department were included. STEMI diagnosis was based on clinical and electrocardiographic criteria showing persistent ST-segment elevation in at least two leads. All patients included in the study signed a written, informed consent form. Data analysis was performed using SPSS, with a p-value ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: STEMI prevalence was 15.27%, with 37.11% of patients being diabetic and 62.89% non-diabetic. Diabetic patients had a mean age of 59.2 ± 10.9 years, while non-diabetics averaged 58 ± 13.4 years. Diabetics were predominantly female (72.2%), whereas non-diabetics were mainly male (83.6%). Smoking was less frequent among diabetics (25% vs. 47.54%), but hypertension, obesity, and sedentary lifestyle were more common. Diabetics had an average of 3.5 ± 1.1 risk factors compared to 2.6 ± 1.2 in non-diabetics. Admission delay was longer for diabetics (34.8 ± 51.6 hours vs. 23.3 ± 52.3 hours). Chest pain was the main symptom in both groups. Electrocardiograms showed that anterior and inferior infarctions were most frequent. Triple vessel disease and severe complications, such as cardiogenic shock, were more common in diabetics, who also had higher mortality (5.56% vs. 3.28%). Conclusion: Diabetic STEMI patients represent a high-risk group with distinct clinical features, longer admission delays, and a greater accumulation of cardiovascular risk factors, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.