Hypertension in Saudi Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and Hypertension (HTN) are among the most common chronic non-communicable diseases and multi factorial disorders affecting both developed and developing countries and occur at a higher prevalence in the older age group and result from both genetic and environmental etiological factors [1-3]. HTN is considered as one of the most common diseases with high value of mortality and morbidity and is considered the leading risk factor for morbidity and mortality in Saudi Arabia [4]. The prevalence of HTN is rapidly increasing in developing countries and is said to be one of the leading causes of death and disability among the elderly [5-11]. The World Health Organization reported that 1 out of 10 adults have diabetes; however, in Saudi Arabia, the ratio is one out of four adults [12]. Previous studies in 2011 in Saudi Arabia showed that 23.1-30% of the adults have diabetes [13-14]. Although T2DM and HTN are not among the top leading causes of death, such as cancer and stroke, these two diseases draw attention from the public due to their increasing trends, while cancer and stroke are declining [15]. Several studies conducted in different ethnic groups show a close association between HTN and T2DM, where the prevalence of HTN is significantly higher in the patients with T2DM. Both systolic and diastolic HTN has been reported, and conclusive evidence indicates that the link between T2DM and essential HTN is hyperinsulinemia [16]. The prevalence of HTN is 1.5-2.0 times more in those with T2DM than in those without T2DM, whereas almost one-third of the patients with HTN develop T2DM later [17]. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to determine the frequency of T2DM and HTN among the patients who have attended the primary health care centre in a Saudi community.

A cross sectional study was conducted at Primary health care clinics at king fahad armed forces hospital. A total of 2519 Saudi diabetic and non diabetic patients were randomly selected. The demographic data and medical history were documented. Blood Pressure readings were within a gap of 15 minutes using a mercury sphygmomanometer by palpation and auscultation method in right arm in sitting position. Two readings were taken 15 min apart and the average of both the readings was taken for analysis. HTN was also diagnosed based on anti HTN medications or having a prescription of antihypertensive drugs and were classified as Hypertensive irrespective of their current blood pressure reading or if the blood pressure was greater than 140/90 mmHg i.e. systolic BP more than 140 and diastolic BP more than 90 mm of Hg - Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines [18]. The Body mass index (BMI) was considered normal if it was below 25 kg/m2, 25-29.9 kg/ m2 overweight and 30 kg/m2 or greater was obese. The study was approved by the ethical board of King Fahad armed forces hospital.

Univariate analysis of baseline and follow up demography and clinical laboratory endpoints were accomplished using unpaired t-test. Chi square(X2) test were used for categorical data comparison. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Version 22.0. All P values were based on two-sided tests. P<0.05 was considered significant.

A total of 3108 patients attending the Primary Health Care Clinics were included in this study, 1148 (36.9%) male and 1960 (63.1%) female. The diabetic group comprised of 1740 (56.0%) and non-diabetic group comprised of 1368 (44.0%) of the sample. T2DM and HTN was present in 981 (56.4%) of cases, (Table 1). The T2DM and HTN cases showed a female predominance (sex ratio female: male= 1.5:1). The mean age of the participants was 42.2±17.9 years. Cases with T2DM and HTN were significantly older. HbA1c was not significantly different between cases with T2DM and HTN compared to cases with T2DM with no HTN. Figure 1 shows that around one third of the T2DM and HTN cases were in the age group of 50-59 years while about 38.4% were older than 60 years with both male and female predominance. Figure 2 shows that 55.6% of the T2DM and HTN cases were obese BMI ≥ 30 with male predominance, Furthermore, 99.6% of cases with female predominance with BMI starting 18.5-24.9.

Table 1: Demographic patient’s parameters and Comparison of features between diabetics and hypertension

Figure 1: Frequency of T2DM and HTN according to age groups

Figure 2: Frequency of T2DM and HTN according to body mass index groups.

Hypertension is a common problem for people with diabetes. There is much evidence for an increased prevalence of hypertension in diabetic persons [19]. The prevalence rate of hypertension among type 2 diabetics is higher than that of age and sex-matched patients without diabetes, ranging between 32% and 82%. Compared to Arab population, the prevalence rate of hypertension reported in this study (56.4%) among patients with type 2 diabetes is lower to the 64.5% rate reported in Qatari diabetics and 72.4% rate reported in Jordanian diabetics. In other Arab populations, the prevalence rate of hypertension is moderate: 53% in Saudi diabetics, 44% in Omani diabetics and 38% in Bahraini diabetics. Compared to other populations, the rate of hypertension among diabetics in our study is lower to the 74%, 74.4% and 73% rates of hypertension reported in UK Caucasians, Italian and Spanish populations, respectively. This prevalence is lower than the 82% prevalence rate reported about Afro-Caribbean individuals living in UK and much higher than the 32% and 39% rates reported among diabetics in the Turkish and Taiwanese populations, respectively. The explanation for differences in frequency by each country could be due to different methods of surveillance, differences in definitions of hypertension, population characteristics and ethnic variations. Hyperglycemia and increase in total body exchangeable sodium leading to extracellular fluid accumulation and expansion of the plasma volume contributes to the pathogenesis of hypertension in DM [20-30].

The coexistence of HTN and T2DM is major risk factors to the development and progression of macro vascular and micro vascular complications in people with diabetes compared to the general population [31-34]. Both HTN and T2DM increase the risks of cardiovascular disease, stroke, nephropathy and retinopathy [34-39]. Indeed when hypertension coexists with diabetes, the risk of cardiovascular disease is increased by 75%, which further contributes to the overall morbidity and mortality of an already high risk population. The relatively higher rate of hypertension reported in this study is related to the fact that most diabetic patients were aged 60 years old and over. Hypertension among type 2 diabetics was associated with age; this association agrees with so many studies [40-43].

Our study also showed that obese and overweight patients have a higher risk of hypertension than ones with normal BMI, this association is in agreement with research literatures and with the findings of other studies. 43 In addition, the coexistence of diabetes, hypertension and obesity or overweight increases the risk of cardiovascular complications and other morbidities [44,45].

The objective of HTN and T2DM care is to reduce its mortality and complications and to improve the quality of life for patients suffering from this chronic health problem. To achieve these aims, it is mandatory to have adequate diagnostic, therapeutic and educational resources in addition to competent physicians who can manage HTN and T2DM by using a continuing, comprehensive and coordinated approach [46]. Management of HTN and T2DM in PHC centres is highly affected by lack of resources and facilities. Many essential resources for the care of patients with HTN and T2DM are not available at primary health care settings [47]. Urgent provision of these resources is essential to introduce good health care for hypertensive patients.

To improve the quality of care for HTN and T2DM patients and to ensure better control, we recommend improvements in primary health care physician knowledge about chronic disease management, updating the national guidelines for management of hypertension and keeping them accessible to doctors in primary health care clinics, improving the quality of the filing system, improvement of screening programs and the provision of essential resources for HTN and T2DM care.

Due to the cross sectional nature of this study, the observed population reflects a selected yet comprehensive group of patients Our study could be limited by the question of clustering of cases within the study region and the effect that might have on our estimates, in addition, the current study population may appear limited in size and therefore may underestimate the true frequency of T2DM and HTN in the general population. Despite this limitation, our study is one of the Saudi studies done on a large sample, which was specifically interested in the problem of hypertension in diabetic patients and reported very important information on the epidemiology of hypertension in Saudi diabetics.

In conclusion, the frequency of HTN in patients with T2DM in this study is high. It is mandatory to have adequate diagnostic, therapeutic and educational resources in addition to competent physicians who can manage HTN in T2DM patients by using a continuing, comprehensive and coordinated approach.

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