Electrocardiogram abnormalities and associated factors among psychiatric patients attending follow up at Jimma Medical Center Psychiatry Clinic, Jimma, Ethiopia: an institution-based cross-sectional study

Background Psychiatric patients have two to three-fold higher risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality as compared to the general population. Despite the high rate of cardiovascular disease, about 80% of patients with psychiatric disorders have fewer opportunities for cardiovascular disease screening. Early detection of subclinical cardiovascular disease using an electrocardiogram can improve the clinical outcomes of these patients. However, in Ethiopia, no previous study had been conducted on electrocardiogram abnormalities and associated factors among psychiatric patients. Hence, this study aimed to assess the electrocardiogram abnormalities and associated factors among psychiatric patients attending follow-up at Jimma Medical Center, Jimma, Ethiopia. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study was carried out among psychiatric patients attending Jimma Medical Center Psychiatry Clinic from October 14 to December 10, 2021. An interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data, behavioral factors, disease-related and medication-related data. Anthropometry and blood pressure were measured following the standard protocols. A resting 12 lead ECG was recorded according to the standard recording protocol of the Minnesota code. Data were entered into Epi data version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 25. Results of the descriptive analysis were summarized by frequencies, means, and proportions, and presented by using tables and figures. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions were performed. p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result A total of 315 psychiatric patients were included in the present study. The mean age (SD) of the respondents was 36.27 ± 10.85 years. ECG abnormalities were identified among 191 (60.6%) respondents. Age older than 40 years [AOR = 3.31: 95% CI 1.58–6.89], treatment with antipsychotics [AOR = 4.16: 95% CI 1.25–13.79], polytherapy [AOR = 3.13: 95% CI 1.15–8.62], having schizophrenia [AOR = 3.11: 95% CI 1.20–8.11], and illness duration of > 10 years [AOR = 4.25: 95% CI 1.72–10.49] were significantly associated with ECG abnormalities. Conclusions In the present study, six out of ten respondents had ECG abnormalities. Age of the respondents, treatment with antipsychotics, having schizophrenia, polytherapy and illness duration of > 10 years were significant predictors of ECG abnormalities. Routine ECG investigation should be performed in the psychiatry treatment setting and further studies are recommended to delineate factors affecting ECG abnormalities.