Methodological Challenges in Estimating Trends and Burden of Cardiovascular Disease in Sub-Saharan Africa

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Jacob Kariuki, Emory University; Eileen M. Stuart-Shor, University of Massachusetts; Suzanne G. Leveille, University of Massachusetts; Laura L. Hayman, University of Massachusetts
• Language: English
• Date: 2015-01-01
• Publisher: HINDAWI LTD
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2015 Jacob K. Kariuki et al.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/921021
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: CARDIOLOGY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE
• Volume: 2015
• Start Page: 921021
• End Page: 921021
• Grant/Funding Information: Jacob Kariuki is currently receiving a predoctoral fellowship grant from the American Heart Association (AHA Award no. 14PRE19050019).
• Keywords: Science & Technology; HYPERTENSION; RISK-FACTORS; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; TRANSITION; EPIDEMIOLOGY; WORLD; PREVENTION; ISCHEMIC-HEART-DISEASE; Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems; Cardiovascular System & Cardiology; POPULATION
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery; Health Sciences, Epidemiology

Abstract

Background. Although 80% of the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is in developing countries, the 2010 global burden of disease (GBD) estimates have been cited to support a premise that sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is exempt from the CVD epidemic sweeping across developing countries. The widely publicized perspective influences research priorities and resource allocation at a time when secular trends indicate a rapid increase in prevalence of CVD in SSA by 2030. Purpose. To explore methodological challenges in estimating trends and burden of CVD in SSA via appraisal of the current CVD statistics and literature. Methods. This review was guided by the Critical review methodology described by Grant and Booth. The review traces the origins and evolution of GBD metrics and then explores the methodological limitations inherent in the current GBD statistics. Articles were included based on their conceptual contribution to the existing body of knowledge on the burden of CVD in SSA. Results/Conclusion. Cognizant of the methodological challenges discussed, we caution against extrapolation of the global burden of CVD statistics in a way that underrates the actual but uncertain impact of CVD in SSA. We conclude by making a case for optimal but cost-effective surveillance and prevention of CVD in SSA.