ORIGINAL: Hypertension and its Clinical Correlates in a Rural Community in South Western Nigeria

West Afr J Med. 2021 Mar 22; 38(3):223-240. PMID: 33765371

Authors

  • O. O. Oni Departments of Medicine, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State.
  • P. O. Akinwusi Department of Medicine, Osun State University, Osogbo, State.
  • A. O. Odeyemi Departments of Medicine, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State.
  • G. M. Israel Departments of Medicine, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State.
  • O. Ala Departments of Medicine, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State.
  • J. O. Akande Department of Chemical Pathology, Bowen University, Iwo, State.
  • E. O. Oke Department of Chemical Pathology, Bowen University, Iwo, State.
  • A. Durodola Department of Family Medicine, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State.
  • A. Idowu Community Medicine, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State.
  • O. K. Israel Community Medicine, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State.
  • A. O. Aremu Departments of Medicine, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State.

Keywords:

Hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, Body mass index, HDL

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is the commonest cardiovascular risk factor globally and is a cause of untold morbidity and mortality. However, its clinical correlates at the community level have not been well elucidated.

Methods: History taking, anthropometric measurements, electrocardiograms and laboratory investigations were done for all the study subjects. Ethical approval was obtained from the institution's ethical body. Analysis was done using SPSS version 20. Two hundred people were recruited for the study. The prevalence of hypertension in the community was 58.5% with 31(15.5%) being newly diagnosed. The Body Mass Index [BMI] (28.2±6vs 25.6±5.3; P=0.003),Waist-Hip ratio (0.9±0.08 vs 0.86±0.06; p= 0.001), total cholesterol (5.675±1.8 vs 4.6±1.7, P=0.000), triglycerides (1.19±0.85 vs 0.91±0.59; p=0.019), LDL cholesterol (3.38±1.6 vs 2.66±1.5; p=0.002), heart rate (82.4±15.8 vs 76.8±11.2; p=0.018) QRS duration (84.8±13.4 vs 80.5±11.2; p=0.040), and QTc (0.423±0.041 vs 0.402±0.035; p=0.001) were higher in those with hypertension. NYHA functional class was worse in hypertensives (p=0.041). Prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in hypertensives ranged from 2.6 to 48.2%, depending on the criteria used. Systolic blood pressure, pulse pressures, HDL levels and hip circumferences were higher in those with electrocardiographic LVH. Systolic blood pressure (OR:1.045, P=0.006; CI: 1.013-1.079) and a normal BMI (OR: 0.159, p= 0.004; CI: 0.045-0.559) were the independent predictors of LVH in this study.

Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension is rising, even in rural populations, with accompanying LVH, higher QTc and florid cardiovascular risk factors. It is therefore imperative to tighten the reins of control of blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors before the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality explode in the rural communities.

Published

2021-03-22

Issue

Vol. 38 No. 3 (2021): The West African Journal of Medicine

Section

Articles
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