Prehypertension and hypertension prevalence and risk factors among adult population in Republic of Serbia: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background/Aim. Prehypertension and hypertension are an important public health problem worldwide and although they can be modified, they are often a risk for cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension and associated risk factors in the adult population (15+ years) of Serbia. Methods. The cross-sectional study covered 14,623 adult respondents, but 14,422 volunteered to measure their blood pressure according to a pre-defined protocol. A stratified two-stage national representative random sampling approach was used for the selection of the survey sample. Results. In 2013, 17.7% of Serbian population, aged 15 and over, was normotensive, every third (33.1%) person had prehypertension, and every second (49.3%) had hypertension. The standardized prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension was 40.6% and 34.5%, respectively; 57.8% of the hypertensive population were receiving medical treatment. Among those receiving medical treatment, 35.2% (36.4% males and 33.2% females) had a blood pressure within the normal range. According to the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis, independently significant risk factors for hypertension compared to persons with normotension were older age (50 and more) (p < 0.001), overweight (p < 0.001) and obesity (p < 0.001), moderate (p < 0.001) and large (p < 0.001) waist circumference in both sexes, and nonurban place of residence in females (p = 0.006). In females, independently significant risk factors for prehypertension compared to persons with normotension were older age (50 and more) (p < 0.001), overweight (p < 0.001) and obesity (p < 0.001), moderate (p < 0.001) and large (p < 0.001) waist circumference, but high level of physical activity was significantly protective (p = 0.014). In males, overweight (p < 0.001) and obesity (p < 0.001) were independently significant risk factors for prehypertension. Conclusion. Serbia belongs to countries with a high prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension. Our results emphasize the need for a new public health strategy for the prevention, detection and treatment of prehypertension and hypertension. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 175042]

Epidemiological Predictors of Positive SARS-CoV-2 Polymerase Chain Reaction Test in Three Cohorts: Hospitalized Patients, Healthcare Workers, and Military Population, Serbia, 2020

“…It is interesting to point out that Serbia belongs to countries with a high prevalence of hypertension. Almost half of the population over the age of 15 in Serbia suffers from hypertension [ 29 ], while the prevalence of hypertension in MP over the age of 40 is almost 30% [ 30 ].…”

Prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors for coronary artery disease and elevated fibrinogen among active military personnel in Republic of Serbia: A cross-sectional study

“…Most of our study group consisted of males younger than 40 with prehypertension in almost 75% and hypertension in 13.8% of participants. Among Serbian Armed Forces (older than 20 years of age), a significantly higher prevalence of prehypertension was identified than in the general population of the same age in the Republic of Serbia (in the age between 20 and 39 years, 67.4-54.1%; in the age between 40 and 44 years, 46.6%) [21] [22] . The prevalence of hypertension in the adult population of Serbia (aged ≥ 15 years) of 33.2% is significantly higher compared to hypertension among individuals in our study group (13.8%) [22] .…”

“…Compared to results from the USA, the prevalence of hypertension in Serbia among the military population is more than 2.5 times higher. The proportion of hypertensive patients also increased with age; in the youngest group, there were only 6.4% of patients with hypertension, and in the oldest group, 21.4%, probably due to the so-called »lifestyle« that is characteristic for the group of uppermiddle-income countries, as Serbia [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] . Every candidate must go through a specific general medical examination and selection to become active military personnel.…”

“…The difference in plasma fibrinogen levels among hypertensive and normotensive patients was also registered [34] . It may be important, bearing in mind that among our study population older than 20, a higher prevalence of prehypertension than the general population of the same age in the Republic of Serbia was found [21] [22] .…”

Identification of patient-related, healthcare-related and knowledge-related factors associated with inadequate blood pressure control in outpatients: a cross-sectional study in Serbia

“…Although some studies have been done on awareness in hypertensive patients in Serbia, however, these have mainly focused on risk factor identification for HT and not primarily on control of HT 17 18 51. Therefore, some of the most interesting conclusions are delivered from the logistic regression analysis conducted to determine patient-related, medication-related and healthcare system-related factors associated with uncontrolled BP.…”