Prevalence of hypertension in psychiatric disorders.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of hypertension in our cases with psychiatric disorders and to study if the prevalence is higher in the cases with psychiatric disorders. METHODS: Four hundred twenty two cases with various psychiatric disorders attending the Outpatient Department of Psychiatry of our hospital were studied. Detailed clinical evaluation was done in all the cases. Blood pressure was recorded in the sitting position and mean of three readings was taken. Diagnosis and grading of hypertension was done according to the JNC V recommendations. Psychiatric disorders were diagnosed according to DSM IV criteria. RESULTS: Mean age of the cases was 36.3 years. Prevalence of hypertension in the cases was 7.1%. Prevalence in male and female cases were 7.2% and 7.0%, respectively. Prevalence of hypertension in various age groups was 20-39 years--1.48%, 40-60 years--24.4%, > 60 years--33.3%. CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence of hypertension in our cases with psychiatric disorders was 7.1% which was not higher than the reported prevalence of hypertension in our general population.