Abstract
BackgroundOrthostatic hypotension (OH) and orthostatic hypertension (OHT) are often unrecognized in clinical care for diabetic individuals, yet they are associated with increased risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes. We aimed to determine the prevalence of the abnormal orthostatic blood pressure (BP) responses, and associated factors among diabetic individuals in ambulatory care for diabetes in southwestern Uganda.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study among diabetic individuals aged 18–65 years at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, southwestern Uganda from November 2018 to April 2019. We obtained demographic and clinical data including a detailed medical history, and glycemic profile. BP measurements were taken in supine position and within 3 min of standing. We defined OH in participants with either ≥ 20 mmHg drop in systolic BP (SBP) or ≥ 10 mmHg drop in diastolic BP (DBP) after assuming an upright position. OHT was defined in participants with either a ≥ 20 mmHg rise in SBP, or ≥ 10 mmHg rise in DBP after assuming an upright position. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with OH and OHT.ResultsWe enrolled 299 participants, with a mean age of 50 years (SD ± 9.8), and mean HbA1c of 9.7% (SD ± 2.6); 70% were female. Of the 299 participants, 52 (17.4%; 95% CI 13.3–22.2%) met the definition of OH and 43 (14.4%; 95% CI 10.6–18.9%) were classified as having OHT. In multivariable models, factors associated with diabetic OH were older age (OR = 2.40 for 51–65 years vs 18–50 years, 95% CI 1.02–5.67, P = 0.046), diabetic retinopathy (OR = 2.51; 95% CI 1.14–5.53, P = 0.022), higher resting SBP ≥ 140 mmHg (OR = 3.14; 95% CI 1.31–8.7.56, P = 0.011), and history of palpitations (OR = 2.31; 95% CI 1.08–4.92, P = 0.031). Self-report of palpitations (OR = 3.14; 95% CI 1.42–6.95, P = 0.005), and higher resting SBP ≥ 140 mmHg (OR = 22.01; 95% CI 1.10–4.42, P = 0.043) were associated with OHT.ConclusionOH and OHT are common among diabetic individuals in ambulatory diabetes care in southwestern Uganda. Orthostatic BP measurements should be considered as part of routine physical examination to improve detection of OH and OHT, especially among older diabetics with complications of the disease. Future studies to assess the health and prognostic implications of OH and OHT among diabetics in the region are warranted.
Highlights
Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a hemodynamic disorder that is characterized by a sustained drop in blood pressure (BP) from supine position to standing [1]
We aimed to respond to this gap in the literature by characterizing the prevalence of abnormal orthostatic BP responses, both OH and Orthostatic hypertension (OHT), and to identify factors associated with these conditions in a relatively younger population of diabetic individuals (18–65 years) in ambulatory diabetes mellitus (DM) care in Uganda
To define OHT, we considered the cut-off for abnormal systolic orthostatic blood pressure responses of ≥ 20 mmHg, which has been previously proposed for hypertensive orthostatic BP responses [1]
Summary
Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a hemodynamic disorder that is characterized by a sustained drop in blood pressure (BP) from supine position to standing [1]. Orthostatic hypertension (OHT), on the other hand is a reverse phenomenon, characterized by an exaggerated sustained rise in BP from supine to standing position [2]. Several factors have been found to be associated with OH including age, smoking, duration of diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, glycemic control, and coexistence of other microvascular complications of DM [6,7,8]. We aimed to determine the prevalence of the abnormal orthostatic blood pressure (BP) responses, and associated factors among diabetic individuals in ambulatory care for diabetes in southwestern Uganda
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