Prevalence Of Comorbidities And Complications In Patients With Hypertension: A Study In A Family Health Unit

Abstract

Introduction: Arterial hypertension is characterized by blood pressure (BP) ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg, with a prevalence of 30-45% and considered one of the most common risk factors in Portugal. It is the leading preventable cause of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality, and a risk factor for stroke, heart failure (HF), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), chronic kidney disease (CKD), atrial fibrillation (AF), and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Hypertension is often associated with other cardiovascular risk factors such as dyslipidemia and glucose intolerance. Thus, it was considered pertinent to evaluate the prevalence of hypertension and its comorbidities/complications in a family health unit (FHU).
Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of some comorbidities and complications in patients with hypertension in a FHU, such as overweight, obesity, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus (DM), CKD, smoking, HF, AF, AMI, stroke, PAD, and sleep disturbance. Material and Methods: Descriptive observational study in users enrolled in the FHU with a diagnosis of hypertension in September/2023. Variables such as sex, age, and various comorbidities (overweight, obesity, dyslipidemia, DM, CKD, smoking, HF, AF, AMI, stroke, PAD, and sleep disturbance) were analyzed. Data were collected from the MIM@UF and SClínico® programs and analyzed in Excel2013®.
Results: A total of 6671 users with a diagnosis of hypertension were obtained (34.4% of FHU users), 55.5% (n=3701) female and 44.5% (n=2969) male, with a mean age of 70.1 years. Of these, 48.5% (n=3234) were overweight and 33.9% (n=2259) were obese. As comorbidities, 64.3% (n=4290) had dyslipidemia, 31.8% (n=2123) DM, 15.9% (n=1059) CKD, 15.2% (n=1016) sleep disturbance, 7.4% (n=492) AF, 6.6% (n=439) smoking, 5.3% (n=354) HF, and 4.9% (n=324) PAD. As complications: AMI in 8.4% (n=562) and stroke in 7.3% (n=487).
Discussion and Conclusion: The majority of HTA patients are overweight, with dyslipidemia being the most prevalent comorbidity. These data point to the importance of addressing the implementation of a healthy lifestyle. Regarding the prevalence of HF, only 5% of hypertensive patients have the diagnosis, but it appears to be an underdiagnosed problem.