Background  
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetes mellitus (DM). Critical review of death cases and surveillance of the disease trend are important in disease control, but data from Delta State Nigeria are scanty

Aim  
Evaluation of morbidity and mortality of CVDs and DM in Warri Medical zone, Delta State, Nigeria.

Method  
This was a clinical observational cohort study. Patients included members of chronic disease association, and their families. Assessment in 2015 was followed follow-up in 2017. Morbidity surveillance on persons with CVDs and DM as well as public awareness were two interventions done in 2016.

Results  
In 2015, out of the 66 954 patients who visited the hospital/clinic for different illnesses, 65 514 were through outpatient department (OPD), 1140 were admitted and 300 remained unaccounted. People who are dependent on others for living constituted 50.6% of the patients, hospital staff (23.5%) and pensioners (18.2%). The crude mortality rate from admissions for all types of illnesses was 5.4%. The mortality rates for CVDs (17.8%) and DM complications (7.8%) constituted the three major causes of death. The high incidences of patients brought in dead and of unknown causes of death precipitated a follow-up study. In the 2017 study, 42 of the patients under surveillance died. Hypertension accounted for 31.0% mortality, diabetes (28.6%) and other diseases contributed 40.4%.In 2015, out of the 66 954 patients who visited the hospital/clinic for different illnesses, 65 514 were through outpatient department (OPD), 1140 were admitted and 300 remained unaccounted. People who are dependent on others for living constituted 50.6% of the patients, hospital staff (23.5%), pensioners (18.2%) and other non-hospital staff made up the remaining 7.7%. The crude mortality rate from admissions for all types of illnesses was 5.4%. The mortality rates for CVDs (17.8%) and DM complications (7.8%) constituted the two of the top three major causes of death. The high incidences of patients brought in dead and approximately 5% prevalence of unknown causes of death precipitated a follow-up study. In the 2017 study, 42 of the patients under surveillance died. Hypertension accounted for 31.0% mortality, diabetes (28.6%) and other diseases contributed 40.4%.

Discussion  
This study recommends tracking patients, particularly those at high risk of complications for non-communicable diseases. There are challenges such as incomplete documentation on mortality as well as causes of death, which need addressing.

References  
1. American Diabetes Association, "8. Cardiovascular disease and risk management," Diabetes Care, 10.2337/dc16-S011 vol. 39, no. Supplement 1, pp. S60-S71, 2016, doi: https://doi.org/10.2337/dc16-S011



Diabetes cardiovascular complications in Nigeria: Empirical notes from Chronic Disease Association