Prevalence of Hypertension According to New Guidelines in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background: Hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus are among the most common co-morbidities. In diabetic patients, hypertension is more prevalent than in the general population. The present study aimed to apply the blood pressure guidelines of American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) 2017 on Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients for initiation and intensification of treatment. Methods: This is a prospective observational study, designed to study the prevalence of hypertension in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus according to new guidelines. One hundred cases of Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients are included in the study. For all the patients, history, clinical examination including blood pressure examination and biochemical tests were performed. Results: The study Categorized (49%) of the patients as hypertension stage 1, (39%) as stage 2. The study highlighted a statistically significant positive correlation between hypertension (different stages) and poor glycemic control (P=0.062). The well-known hypertensive patients who were already taking antihypertensive drugs, they were more likely categorized as hypertension stage 1 and 2; 51.02% and 87.18%, respectively; P<0.001, even though they were taking antihypertensive drugs and that (48.98%) of the patients had hypertension stage 1 and (12.82%) had hypertension stage 2 but they were unaware of their elevated blood pressure. Conclusions: The prevalence of hypertension according to the new categories is much higher for patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus than previously recorded. Early evaluation for hypertension and periodic evaluation of patient with pre hypertension, applying life style modifications and prompt treatment of hypertension and hyperglycemia favors better outcome.