Hypertension among Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Uyo, South East Nigeria

Objective: The prevalence of non-communicable diseases especially diabetes is increasing in Nigeria. In addition to the other tropical diseases they present an increased load on the healthcare resources of the nation. Diabetic patients with comorbid hypertension are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted to determine the pattern of hypertension among diabetic patients.

Methods: Patients in the diabetes and metabolic diseases clinic of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) were recruited for this study. They filled a questionnaire and had their BP measurements taken. Hypertension was defined as having a previous physician’s diagnosis of hypertension or persistent elevation of BP ≥140/90mm Hg.

Results: Three hundred and twenty patients were recruited for the study. There were 177(54.1%) females and 150(45.9%) males. The average age of the patients was 56.2 ± 9.3 years while the average duration of diabetes was 8.3 ± 5.3 years. Two hundred and forty (73.4%) of the patients were previously known hypertensive patients with only 48(20%) having adequate BP control.

Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension among diabetics is quite high and the control of BP is poor. This puts them at an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases morbidity and mortality.