Abstract
BACKGROUND: Early treatment of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is essential to improve survival of these patients. However, not all patients present early enough to receive optimal treatment especially in third world countries. Social factors affecting early vs. late treatment have not been studied, particularly in the Middle East. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the social factors associated with delayed presentation of STEMI patients. METHODS: All patients with STEMI presenting to King Abdulaziz Cardiac Center (KACC) between October 2013 and July 2014 were approached. After obtaining consent, patients were interviewed regarding their psychosocial circumstances using a standardized questionnaire. Their medical charts were also reviewed for further clinical data. Patients were divided according to their symptom-to-door time into early ( ≤ 6h) and late (>6h) presentation and group comparisons were conducted. RESULTS: A total of 79 patients were enrolled, of which 24 patients (30%) presented late. Patients with increased symptom-to-door time had higher prevalence of diabetes (40% vs. 79.2%, p = 0.001), hypertension (43.6% vs. 70.8%, p = 0.023), and dyslipidemia (23.6% vs. 54.2%, p = 0.009). Most of the late presenters did not undergo primary coronary intervention (72.7% vs. 47.8%, P = 0.034) and had less prior information about myocardial infarction (43.6% vs. 25%, P = 0.023). Late presenters were more often illiterates and lived most often far away from the hospital. Using multivariate logistic regression; dyslipidemia was the only independent predictor for the late hospital presentation for STEMI patients. CONCLUSION: One third of patients with STEMI present more than six hours after symptom onset; these patients have a higher prevalence of coronary risk factors and less information about STEMI. Programs should be designed to educate patients and the general public about the symptoms of STEMI and the necessary action to be taken if a heart attack is suspected.