P076 FACTORS INFLUENCING POST-COVID HOME BP AND HR FLUCTUATION WITHIN THE URBAN INDIAN DIABETIC POPULATION

Abstract

Objective: The impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular health among adult diabetics remains underexplored, particularly concerning home blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) variability. This study aims to elucidate the factors influencing post-COVID home BP and HR fluctuation within the urban Indian diabetic population. Design and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 1000 adult diabetic patients aged 30 to 80 years with prior COVID-19 infection. Home BP and HR readings were recorded twice daily over seven days, generating 28 measurements. Variability in BP and HR was determined using standard deviation calculations between morning and evening readings, as well as between consecutive measurements. Results: Older age (OR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.23-1.98), cardiovascular comorbidities (OR: 2.09, 95% CI: 1.67-2.62), diabetes (OR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.43-2.36), and elevated home BP (OR: 2.35, 95% CI: 1.87-2.95) emerged as independent predictors of increased morning-to-evening home BP variability. Similarly, older age (OR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.34-2.21) and elevated home BP (OR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.67-2.75) were determinants of heightened day-to-day BP variability, while a combination of older age (OR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.52-2.58), female sex (OR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.11-1.84), cardiovascular disease (OR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.47-2.44), and elevated home BP (OR: 2.56, 95% CI: 1.98-3.31) predicted greater variability between consecutive readings. Conversely, younger age (OR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.59-0.98) and elevated home HR (OR: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.51-2.44) were associated with increased morning-versus-evening HR variability. Additionally, younger age (OR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.51-0.88), female sex (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.04-1.73), and elevated home HR (OR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.39-2.29) were predictive of greater variability between consecutive HR measurements. Conclusion: Understanding the determinants of home BP and HR variability post-COVID infection is crucial for prognostication and clinical management. Clinicians should prioritize counseling incorporating regular home blood pressure measurements, diabetes management, and cardiovascular disease prevention, particularly for high-risk diabetic patients.