HYPERTENSION IN DIABETICS REGISTERED IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CENTERS IN MAKKAH DISTRICT, SAUDI ARABIA

BACKGROUND: Hypertension in diabetes is a common and important problem, which aggravates diabetic macro- and microvascular complications. Since both diabetes and hypertension are common diseases, their follow up in primary health care centers should emphasize the early detection of hypertension in diabetes. This study aims at studying the magnitude of hypertension in diabetic subjects registered in primary health care centers. METHODS: A sample of 1039 diabetic subjects registered at the primary health care in urban and rural Makkah region were interviewed. Information gathered included demographic and diabetes-related variables. Blood pressure and body mass index were determined for 1020 subjects. RESULTS: Diabetic subjects who had high blood pressure readings amounted to 560 (54.9%), of whom with stage 1, 2, and 3 hypertension formed 25.5%, 7.0% and 2.5%, respectively. Subjects with undetected high blood pressure amounted to 225 (22.1%). There was significant association of high blood pressure with age, male gender, body mass index and low education. CONCLUSION: The problem of hypertension in diabetes could be sizeable. Many patients may remain undetected. A diligent search for diabetic subjects with elevated blood pressure should be made through an efficient system of follow up in the PHCC centers.