Treatment of high blood pressure in diabetic patients and risk of undernutrition in a population in extreme Western Algeria

Abstract

Introduction: Assessing the risk of undernutrition in hypertensive diabetics is essential. It makes it possible to detect undernutrition for better care. The objective of our study is to describe the factors influencing this undernutrition.
 Methods: A descriptive study was conducted on a sample of 366 diabetics with hypertension and 326 with normo-glycemic hypertension aged 50 years and over. Patients were enrolled at the University Hospital in Tlemcen from January to June 2018. The data collection was carried out using a questionnaire: The MNA (The Mini Nutritional Assessment).
 Results: The study made it possible to establish the profile of subjects at high risk of undernutrition. In our sample, age was not correlated with risk of malnutrition in diabetic hypertensives and normo-glycemic hypertensives respectively (p = 0.304 and p = 0.444). The linear regression model uses gender as an age-independent factor that affects the risk of undernutrition (p = 0.001). BMI was one of the most relevant variables for predicting the occurrence of undernutrition (p = 0.000). Thus, diabetic hypertensive patients in our study who were treated with an Angiotensin II receptor blockers , an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition or an ARB/diuretic combination were more at risk of undernutrition (p = 0.009, p = 0.026 and p = 0.013).
 Conclusion: Particular attention should be paid to diabetic hypertensive subject. The treatment of hypertension in diabetics aggravates this malnutrition. Thus, a nutritional status assessment should be established in any diabetic hypertensive patient allowing appropriate therapeutic management to avoid all complications associated with undernutrition.