Prevalence, Trends, and Associated Factors of Hypertensive Crisis in Peruvian Adults, 2014-2019

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and trend over time of the hypertensive crisis, as well as sociodemographic and behavioral factors associated with it in Peruvian adults. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional analysis of the Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES) from 2014 to 2019. The dependent variable was hypertensive status, with three categories: normotensive, hypertensive, and those with hypertensive crisis (CH). HC was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥180 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥110 mmHg. Associated variables of interest were evaluated using multinomial logistic regression, and the trend of HC was assessed using the Cochrane-Armitage test. Results: A total of 166,741 participants were analyzed, mean age 43.5 (± 16.4) years, 54.4% were women, and 75.5% came from urban areas. The prevalence of hypertensive crisis was 1.3% (95% CI: 1.2% - 1.4%), and this estimate decreased from 1.6% in 2014 to 1.1% in 2019 (p< 0.001). Cases of hypertensive crises were more frequent in older individuals, especially those aged 60+ (OR = 80.6), males (OR = 1.43), urban residents (OR = 1.25), overweight (OR 1.65) or obese (OR = 2.41) and having diabetes (OR = 2.22). Conclusions: The presence of hypertensive crisis was relatively common in the general Peruvian population. There is a need to improve the strategies for diagnosis, treatment, and control of hypertension in our context to reduce the cases of hypertensive crisis.