A Study of Etiology and Clinical Presentation of Pericardial Diseases in Adults

Abstract

Pericardial diseases represent an important subset of cardiovascular disorders with diverse etiologies and variable clinical presentations. Despite advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, there remains limited region-specific data linking etiology with clinical manifestations and outcomes. To evaluate the etiological factors, clinical presentation, and association between etiology and disease types in adult patients with pericardial diseases. A retrospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital involving 80 adult patients diagnosed with pericardial diseases. Data were collected from hospital records, including demographic details, etiological factors, clinical features, and diagnostic findings. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed, and results were presented using tables. Acute pericarditis was the most common condition, followed by pericardial effusion. Idiopathic and infectious causes were the predominant etiologies. The most frequent clinical symptoms were dyspnea and chest pain, with systemic features such as fever and fatigue observed mainly in infectious cases. Diagnostic evaluation showed moderate pericardial effusion as the most common echocardiographic finding. No statistically significant association was found between disease type and etiology (p = 0.632). Clinical outcomes were generally favorable, with most patients recovering or improving during hospitalization. Pericardial diseases exhibit diverse etiologies and clinical presentations, with idiopathic and infectious causes predominating. Early diagnosis and appropriate management contribute to favorable outcomes, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive clinical evaluation.