Metabolic Abnormalities, Genetic and Behavioral Risk Factors for Hypertension among Patients Attending Bafoussam Regional Hospital, Cameroon

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is one of the most public health problems worldwide. More than 60% of the risk factors for hypertension are associated with metabolic disturbances. Literature perusal showed lack of information regarding the risk factors for hypertension in people from the West Region of Cameroon. Therefore, the present study was intended to evaluate the metabolic abnormalities and risk factors for hypertension in patients attending the Bafoussam Regional Hospital in Cameroon. Methods: A cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted within the Bafoussam Regional Hospital on 343 individuals (99 normotensives and 244 hypertensives). Genetic and behavioral risk factors for hypertension were determined through a questionnaire. Hypertension was diagnosed by measuring blood pressure. Cardiac, renal and hepatic biochemical parameters were analysed in blood and urine by methods resulting from commercial kits. Results: Smoking (24.2%), advanced age (90.1%), obesity (33.6%), sedentary lifestyle (56.1%), family history of hypertension (63.9%), hypertriglyceridemia (20.5%), hyperglycemia (36.9%), hypernatremia (30.3%), hyperchloremia (10.7%), glycosuria (11.50%), hypercreatininemia (40.2%) and hypoglycemia (15.6%) were frequent and significantly (p < 0.05) higher among hypertensive individuals as compared to normotensive participants. Hypertensive patients showed low levels of hepatic metabolic abnormalities. Of the 244 hypertensive patients, 40% are complicated by various forms of metabolic abnormalities. Conclusion: Overall, the results of the present study indicate that genetic and behavioral parameters as well as cardiac and renal metabolic disturbances are the main risk factors of hypertension in the study population. Hence, strategies targeting the metabolic pathways may be therapeutic options for improving biochemical abnormalities and reducing blood pressure and risk of complications in metabolic hypertension.