Determinants of isolated systolic hypertension among diabetic patients visiting  the diabetic clinic at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Northern Ghana.

Richard KD Ephraim, Abdul-Razak Saasi, Enoch O Anto, Prince Adoba
Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health and Allied
sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana

Abstract
Background:Hypertension and diabetes mellitus, two of the leading risk factors for atherosclerosis, are associated with numerous complications, including heart attacks and strokes.

Aim: This study established the prevalence and determinants of isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) in diabetes mellitus patients  visiting the Tamale Teaching Hospital.

Materials and methods:In this purposive cross-sectional study, 107 diabetes mellitus patients were recruited from the out-patient diabetes clinic of the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH). Blood and urine samples were collected for the estimation of  fasting blood glucose (FBG) and routine urinalysis respectively. A well-structured pre-tested questionnaire was used to obtain  socio-demographic data and clinical history of participants, and their blood pressure measured with a mercury sphygmomanometer.

Results:The prevalence of ISH among the participants was 37.4%. Mean age and FBG were significantly higher among participants with ISH than the normotensives (56.20 ± 10.60 v 48.44 ± 11.6, P= 0.022; and 8.80 ± 3.06 v 6.01 ± 0.50, P= 0.034 respectively). Type of diabetes mellitus was associated with ISH (P= 0.010) and age was a risk factor of ISH (OR= 1.057, P= 0.008).

Conclusion: Isolated systolic hypertension was prevalent in 37.4% of diabetes mellitus patients and was associated with older  age. Effective measures should, therefore, be instituted to prevent ISH in patients with type 2 diabetes especially the elderly.

Keywords: Hypertension, isolated systolic hypertension (ISH), diabetes mellitus, Tamale.