Associated comorbidities, response to treatment and outcomes of young hypertensive patients attending a follow up clinic at Provincial General Hospital, Badulla

Introduction: There is a dearth of evidence on response to antihypertensive treatment among younger individuals with essential hypertension. The objective of this study was to describe the associated comorbidities and response to treatment in young hypertensive patients without complications at diagnosis who were attending VP/OPD clinic in Badulla Provincial General Hospital.

 

Methods: An observational retrospective longitudinal study was carried out with secondary data from 85 young (20-40 years) hypertensive patients with a follow up of at least 6 months. A pre-tested data extraction sheet was used. Descriptive analysis was followed by hypothesis testing with nonparametric tests at a significance level of 5%.

 

Results: The median (IQR) age was 35 (33.5 to 38.0) years with male to female ratio being approximately 1:3. Median (IQR) follow up period was 46 (23 to 80) months. At enrolment median (IQR) systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were 150 (147.5 to 160.0) mmHg and 100 (100 to 100) mmHg respectively. There was no significant difference of the SBP and DBP between men and women (P>0.05). In the follow up there was a significant reduction of the SBP and DBP of the total sample as well as of all three grades of hypertension (all p<0.05). There was a significant reduction of the total cholesterol and triglyceride (both p<0.05). None in the grade 1 hypertension category, had developed any hypertension related events.

 

Conclusion: During the six months follow up period young hypertensive patients with essential hypertension had a good response to treatment.