Characteristics of arterial hypertension in menopausal diabetic women

Abstract

The estrogenic deficiency during menopause is not only responsible for the onset of metabolic disorders, but also exposes to an increased risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular complications. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, degree of control and comorbidities of hypertension in menopausal women. Our descriptive cross-sectional study included 80 postmenopausal hypertensive diabetic women, mean age: 62.71 ± 14.2 years; amenorrhea period was longer than 12 consecutive months. The average age of onset of menopause was 49.6 ± 4.8 years. Patients underwent a clinical examination, a standard biological assessment and a diabetes outcome report. All anthropometrics data were noted. A total of 82.3% patients had a SBP > 150 mmHg and 42.2% a DBP > 90 mmHg. The percentage of smoking patients was 5.7%. A sedentary lifestyle was noted in 22.2% of cases. The patients were on a salt-free diet in 16.1% of cases and on a dietary salt restriction in 18.2% of cases. The mean duration of diabetes progression was 13 ± 7.31 years. Mean HbA 1c was 9.2 ± 5.09%. The majority (88.7%) of patients had a type 2 diabetes. Of these patients, 66.9% had a controlled hypertension. Overweight or obesity was found in 42.9% of patients, the mean waist circumference was 106 ± 14.09 cm and the mean BMI 29.45 ± 6.23 kg/m 2 . A dyslipidemia was noted in 52.8% of the patients; the mean LDL-cholesterol level was 1.17 ± 0.12 g/L. There was an history of stroke in 8.8% of cases and an history of myocardial infarction in 5.9% of cases. Coronary disease was confirmed in 14.8% of cases, unexplored chest pain was found in 26.6% of cases. Intermittent claudication was noted in 28.2% of patients; this claudication was explored and confirmed in 3% of cases. High blood pressure is a public health problem most often associated with other cardiovascular risk factors. An evaluation of cardiovascular risk is necessary in postmenopausal hypertensive diabetic women and effective management of risk factors is recommended.