A study evaluating prevalence of hypertension and risk factors affecting on blood pressure control among type 2 diabetes patients attending teaching hospital in Malaysia

IntroductionHypertension is extremely common disease found in patients with diabetes mellitus. Eighty to 90% of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus will develop hypertension, and about 20% of hypertensive patients develop diabetes. The aim of this study was designed to assess the prevalence of hypertension and factors affecting the control of hypertension among type 2 diabetic patients.Materials and methodsA total of 1077 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients were included in this study who attended at diabetes clinic of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) teaching hospital in Kelantan. All these patients were prospectively followed from January to December 2008. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the independent effect of variables on hypertension.ResultsThe prevalence of hypertension (BP > 130/80 or on medication for high blood pressure) was 92.7%. A total 471 (47.2%) patients had achieved blood pressure targets ≤130/80 mmHg. The logistic regression indicated that hypertension was positively associated with age (P = 0.040), BMI (P = 0.027), HbA1c (P = 0.046), and level of education (P = 0.039).ConclusionHypertension is a common co-morbidity among diabetic patients. Hypertension was not controlled to the recommended levels of blood pressure in about one-half (52.8%) of diabetes patients. Age, BMI, HbA1c and level of education are factors affecting on hypertension.