PS-P02-3: DIETARY RISK FACTORS FOR HYPERTENSION- INSIGHTS FROM THE TESCO 1.0 DATASET

Abstract

Background: Tesco published an open-source dataset containing area-aggregated product purchase information from 420m transactions across 16m individual Clubcard users in the Greater London area, at a borough level. This dataset is presented as a typical product purchase for each borough, divided into 220 individual datapoints. Purpose: We wanted to explore dietary correlates with the prevalence of hypertension, utilising the London Borough wide Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) for GP reported hypertension diagnoses. Methods: The Tesco 1.0 dataset (2015) was accessed on 1/11/21 and all data downloaded. Hypertension data was accessed from the QOF reporting database (gpcontract.co.uk) for the last year available presented by Borough (2017). HYP001: the number of established hypertension patients as a total of registered patients, and HYP006: the % of hypertensive patients with a reading < 150/90 mmHg were selected, representing the prevalence and control of hypertension respectively. To explore for relevant associated factors, the average deprivation index (IMD) for each borough was accessed from Public Health England, and demographic data accessed from the Greater London Authority database. Univariable correlation using Spearmans Rho was calculated in using scipy in Python (3.0) and significance value of < = 0.01. Results: Highly significant risk factors for hypertension were the consumption of sugar, carbohydrate and sweets. Diabetes mellitus and obesity prevalence were also highly correlated with hypertension. Salt consumption was not a significant risk factor. Highly significant protective factors included consumption of eggs, fish, fruit and vegetables. Conclusions: The Big Data approach of utilising supermarket data allows a unique insight into dietary habits at a population level. We have demonstrated here an unexpected finding, the consumption of sugar and carbohydrate are highly significant risk factors for hypertension prevalence, while salt consumption is not. While not the first time the sugar versus salt question has been asked, this is the first time it has been answered in this manner.