THE IMPACT OF OBESITY ON THE CONTROL OF TREATED HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

Abstract

Objective: Obesity is as a risk factor for hypertension, but there are few studies evaluating its impact on the response to antihypertensive drug and on the control of hypertensive patients. The aim of our study was to determine the effect of obesity on the control of treated hypertension. Design and method: We analyzed recordings of ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM) in 84 treated hypertensive patients aged > 18 years, in the cardiology department of Mohamed Taher Maamouri University hospital in Nabeul. Patients were stratified into two groups: obese (Body Mass Index (BMI) >30 kg/m2) and non-obese. Hypertension control is defined by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) = < 130/80 mmHg, daytime = < 135/85 mmHg and nighttime = < 120/70 mmHg. The comparisons of percentages were carried out by the Chi-square test. Results: Our Population was composed of 33 obese and 51 non-obese patients. The mean age of our population was 59.37±13.1 years. BMI in obese was significantly higher than in non-obese (34.47±5.4 versus 25.36±2.5; p<0.001). The prevalence of uncontrolled patients was significantly higher in obese patients detected in 24-hour ABPM (75.8% versus 51%; p = 0.039), in daytime ABPM (69.7% versus 41.2%; p = 0.014) and in night-time ABPM (90.9% versus 68.6%; p = 0.018) than in normal weight patients. Conclusions: Prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension was higher with higher BMI values. The level of blood pressure control in our sample remains relatively insufficient. To achieve a better control of hypertension, we must insist on therapeutic compliance and on the correction of risk factors, particularly obesity, which is significantly associated with an increase in BP.