ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION IN DIABETICS: FREQUENCY AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS

Abstract

Objective: Diabetic patients have an increased risk of developing hypertension. Its pathogenesis in diabetes is complex. It generally takes place in a context of metabolism and insulin resistance. The association of these 2 pathologies worsens the prognosis of these patients. The objective of this work was to evaluate the frequency of hypertension in diabetics, as well as the factors associated with its occurrence. Design and method: A retrospective study was conducted on 70 diabetic patients followed in the department and internal medicine consultations. All the patients benefited from an interrogation and a complete clinical examination. Results: A female predominance was noted (74.6%). The mean age was 55.8 ± 14 years. Our patients were mainly type 2 diabetics (88%), insulin-treated (78%), with an average seniority of 11.7 ± 7 years. More than half of the patients were known to be hypertensive (57.3%). Dyslipidemia was present in 66.7% of cases. The presence of hypertension was associated in a way statistically significant for age, BMI and presence of dyslipidemia, type and duration of diabetes. It was also significantly correlated with diabetic nephropathy, and the degree of renal insufficiency. Discussion: Hypertension is frequently associated with diabetes. It increases cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and accelerates the progression of atherosclerosis. Hypertension is also a contributory factor to diabetic nephropathy and renal failure. Conclusions: The management of hypertension in diabetics and other risk factors is a vital prognostic element in a patient already at high cardiovascular risk.