Prevalence of hypertension in patients attending dermatology outpatient department: a cross-sectional study of 1023 patients and discussion of the implications

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a very big global burden of disease with high incidence of morbidity and mortality (cardiovascular, stroke, renal and retinopathy) making it a leading cause of death all over the world. It is multifactorial in etiology and is difficult to manage at later stages once systemic organ damage has set in. But early detection can prevent this disease and intervention, if needed, can prevent morbidity and mortality in large number of patients. This study was done to find out the prevalence of hypertension in our area, in North India.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 1023 patients (including their attendants and staff) attending dermatology outpatient department of Maharaja Agrasen Medical College (MAMC), Agroha, Haryana, representing population from North India. Both urban and rural population was included with age 20 years and above.Results: The prevalence of hypertension in age group above 20 years was 31.1% (37.7% males and 22.6% females). The prevalence in age group above 30 years was 46% (54.4% males and 35% females), which showed a rising trend with age.Conclusion: High prevalence of hypertension was found in this study which increased with increasing age. We infer that more epidemiological studies should be done in India to detect hypertension at early stage which can help in preventing or early intervention in the treatment of hypertension and help in policy formulation at national level.