Undiagnosed diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance among hypertensive patients in Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda

ABSTRACT

Both diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) are rising globally, and are known to be associated with hypertension. We have assessed the prevalence of, and risk factors for, abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT) among hypertensive patients in Kampala, Uganda. A total of 320 randomly chosen hypertensive patients were studied, demographic and other data collected, and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) carried out. AGT was found in 237 (74%) patents ­ 50% had IGT and 24% type 2 diabetes. The following factors were significantly associated with AGT body mass index (BMI) over 28.0 kg/m2 (p=0.003), family history of diabetes (p=0.002), physical inactivity (p=0.001), alcohol consumption (p=0.01), and a systolic blood pressure (BP) over 140 mmHg. We conclude that diabetes and IGT are highly prevalent in hypertensive patients and screening for these conditions in such patients should be considered