Hypertension among 1000 patients with type 2 diabetes attending a national diabetes center in Jordan

ABSTRACT

In Jordan, there is a paucity of research on hypertension and its risk factors among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study was designed to assess the prevalence of hypertension, risk factors, and the level of awareness and control of hypertension among outpatients with type 2 diabetes. A cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of 1000 patients with type 2 diabetes who were attending the National Center for Diabetes, Endocrine and Genetic Diseases for follow-up during the period of June to December 2006. Data were collected from medical records and through a structtured interview questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the independent effect of variables on hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension [BP >130/80 or on medication for high blood pressure] was 72.4% [70.9% of males and 73.9% of females]. The logistic regression indicated that hypertension was positively asssociated with age [P=.001], body mass index [P=.001], and duration of diabetes [P=.001]. About one-half of patients who were aware of having hypertension failed to keep their blood pressure under control. Hypertension is a common co-morbidity among diabetic patients. Despite a high rate of awarenness of hypertension among study subjects [93%], hypertension was not controlled to the recommended levels of blood pressure in about one-half [50.4%] of patients