Community-based screening for pre-hypertension among military active duty personnel

ABSTRACT

The majority of hypertension cases are asymptomatic and, therefore, goes unrecognized and untreated, leading to a high risk of coronary artery diseases, heart failure, renal failure, and cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of both pre-hypertension and hypertension and risk factors associated with newly diagnosed Saudi military active duty service personnel. Community-based screening of 1238 Saudi military active duty service personnel was conducted during the period September - December 2007 at six randomly selected out of a total of 15 military units of Taif region, Western of Saudi Arabia. Screening tools included self-administrated questionnaire, general physical examination, anthropometric measurements, and assessment of blood pressure. All participants were Saudi males. Their age ranged from 19-56 years old with mean +/- SD of 37.2 +/- 7.02. By applying the Joint National Committee on prevention, detection, evaluation, and treatment of high hypertension [JNC-7] criteria, 214 [17.3%] were considered pre-hypertensive. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that obesity as measured by body mass index [OR=2.71, Cl1.39-5.28], positive family history [OR=1.46, Cl1.03-2.06], ever smoking [OR=1.45, Cl1.05-2.02], and increased waist circumference [OR=1.04, Cl1.02-1.06] were the significant predictors of workplace newly diagnosed hypertension among military active duty personnel. Pre-hypertension is a common hidden problem and it predicts the development of frank hypertension. Findings of the current study support the recommendation of lifestyle modification for pre-hypertension patients. However, further prospective studied are required to determine the role of pharmacotherapy in pre-hypertension