Hypertension in Diabetic Patients: A Multicenter Study in Guinea

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency of arterial hypertension and to describe its characteristics in diabetic patients followed in Guinea. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, multicenter, one-year study conducted in specialized diabetes care sites in Guinea. It covered diabetic patients who had been followed up at these sites for at least one year. Data were collected from questioning, physical examination and patient records. Results: A total of 630 diabetic patients were enrolled. The mean age of the patients was 55.4 ± 12.3 years. Diabetes was type 2 in 97.1% of cases. The average known duration of diabetes was 5.56 years. The mean HbA1c was 9.5%. More than half the patients (57.1%) had hypertension. It was a first discovery in 22.2% of cases. Among known hypertensives, almost half (49.8%) were not receiving antihypertensive treatment. Among treated hypertensives, only 24.3% had controlled hypertension (<135/85 mmHg). Grade 1 hypertension was the most frequent (47.8%), and was systolo-diastolic in 60.5%. Grade 3 hypertension was significantly higher in women (32.6%) than in men (25.9%), and there were no cases of hypertensive emergency. Mean pulse pressure was 65.92 ± 15.71 mmHg. Treatment of hypertension consisted of monotherapy in 81.7% of cases. Calcium antagonists were used in 68.9% of cases. Bitherapy and tritherapy accounted for 17.7% and 0.6% of cases respectively. Other cardiovascular risk factors were: sedentary lifestyle (82.6%), overweight and obesity (46.3%), dyslipidemia (33.3%) and smoking (2.9%). Conclusion: Hypertension is common among diabetics in Guinea. Treatment should be accessible, initiated earlier and made more intensive, targeting both hypertension and other associated cardiovascular risk factors.