Gender difference in prevalence of hypertension among Indians across various age-groups: a report from multiple nationally representative samples

Abstract

Background Prevalence of hypertension increases with age, but there is a general perception in India that women are less affected at every stage of life, although empiric evidence hardly exists regarding gender difference in hypertension in Indians of different ages. Therefore, we aimed to examine the gender difference in hypertension among Indians across various age-groups; and the contribution of variation in body mass index (BMI) to this difference. Methods Data were analysed after combining National Family Health Survey 4 (n = 294,584 aged 35–49 years) and Study of Ageing and Health wave 2 (n = 7118 aged 50 + years) datasets (NFHS-SAGE). Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI) dataset (n = 65,900 aged > 45years) was analysed to replicate the results. Hypertension was defined if systolic and diastolic blood pressure was > 89 and/or > 139 respectively and/or if there was a history of anti-hypertensive medication. Descriptive summaries were tabulated and plotted to examine the gender difference in hypertension in various age-groups (35–39,40–44, 45–49, 50–54, 55–59, 60–64, 65–69, ≥ 70). Odds Ratios (ORs) from logistic regression models estimated the age gradient of hypertension and their male-female difference, adjusted for Body Mass Index (BMI). Results Males had a higher prevalence of hypertension up to 50 years; after that, females had higher rates. The estimates of age gradient, expressed as ORs, were 1.02 (1.02, 1.02) in males versus 1.05(1.05, 1.06) in females (p < 0.001) in NFHS-SAGE and 1.01(1.01, 1.02) in males versus 1.04(1.03, 1.04)in females (p < 0.001) in LASI;these differences marginally changed after adjustment with BMI. Conclusion This is perhaps the first study to comprehensively demonstrate that cardio-metabolic risk in Indian females surpasses males after 50 years of age, “busting the myth” that Indian females are always at much lower risk than males; and this evidence should inform the Indian healthcare system to prioritise older women for screening and treatment of hypertension.

Prevalence of Hypertension and Associated Factors among Residents Aged ≥18 Years in Ganzhou, China: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The results showed geographical differences in the prevalence of hypertension among Ganzhou residents, which could be due to the variation in the geographical environment and economic development of the districts [ 6 , 10 ]. Both univariate and multivariate logistic regression indicated that age and sex correlated with hypertension, which is consistent with previous findings [ 17 ]. With aging and physiological deterioration, for example, early vascular aging, the occurrence of various diseases (such as hypertension) inevitably increases [ 2 , 18 ].…”

Applied machine learning techniques for chronic disease treatment default prediction and its potential benefits for patient outcome: A case series study approach

“…Estimated age range for male population regarding incidence of hypertension only and hypertension with comorbidity was between 25-105 years and 23-100 years respectively. These descriptions show that incidence of hypertension and hypertension with comorbidity occur in female populations earlier than males and this is supported by research studies [31][32] that examined gender differences in the prevalence of hypertension across various age groups and potential association of gender-specific factors for hypertension. A comprehensive cardio-metabolic risk assessment of gender found females to be at high risk than males and among gender specific factors, age (younger age) at childbirth was found to be among the high risk factors for women.…”

Knowledge, Awareness, and Determinants of Medication Adherence in Hypertensive Patients: A Hospital-Based Cross-sectional Study in North India

“…Globally, women have a slightly greater prevalence of hypertension as compared to males, but in our study, women had a slightly higher prevalence. [ 10 ] Most of the patients belonged to the rural areas. In literacy, only 28.7% received secondary education followed by greater number of the patients being illiterate (27.3%).…”