Prevalence of hypertension among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Hypertension among diabetic patients is a worldwide public health challenge and a leading modifiable risk factor for other cardiovascular diseases and death. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of hypertension among diabetic patients in Ethiopia. METHODS: The studies were selected using PubMed, Embase, Health InterNetwork Access to Research Initiative and Cochrane Library databases and Google searches. Two independent authors carried out the data extraction using a predetermined and structured method of data collection. R version 3.5.3 and RStudio version 1.2.5003 were used for analysing the data. To assess possible publication bias, funnel plot test methods were used. The guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses were used to publish the results. This study was registered in the Prospective Register Systematic Reviews (CRD42020170649). RESULTS: A total of 218 articles were identified but only 6 six full-text abstract papers were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The random effects model analysis showed that the pooled prevalence of hypertension among type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients in Ethiopia was 55% (95% confidence interval [CI] 49 to 61). The subgroup analysis of the pooled prevalence of hypertension among type 2 DM patients in the Oromia and Southern regions was 51% (95% CI 42 to 59) and 58% (95% CI 54 to 63), respectively. The pooled prevalence of hypertension among type 2 DM patients was higher among urban residents (60% [95% CI 54 to 67] and 52% [95% CI 41 to 63] among urban and rural residents, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a high pooled prevalence of hypertension among type 2 DM patients in Ethiopia. Appropriate preventive measures should be implemented to reduce the burden of hypertension among DM patients in Ethiopia.