Socio-demographic caracteristics and prevalence of risk factors in a hypertensive and diabetics population: a cross-sectional study in primary health care in Brazil

Abstract

BackgroundSystemic arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus, and their related morbidity and mortality, are currently the most common public health problems and also a higher burden of disease in Brazil. They represent a real challenge for primary health care. This study describes the methodology and baseline data of an adult population with hypertension and diabetes attending in primary health care.MethodsIt is a cross sectional study which presents data from a longitudinal research. 3784 adults were randomly selected from the registry of a health service in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The eligibility criteria were: confirmed diagnosis of hypertension and/or diabetes, consulted at least once in the prior 3 years and 18 years of age or older. Home data collection consisted of a questionnaire with information on demographic, medical history, life style and socio-economic factors.ResultsA total of 2482 users were interviewed (response rate of 71 %). The median age was 64 (IQR = 55.7) and the majority were women (68 %), and married (52 %). Whereas 66.5 % (CI 95 % 64.5-68.3) of the sample had only hypertension, 6.5 % (CI 95 % 5.5-7.5) had diabetes and 27.1 % (CI 95 % 25.3-28.8) had both diseases. The prevalence of diseases increased with age and with fewer years of study (p < 0.05). Subjects with both diseases had significantly more associated comorbidities.ConclusionsHypertension and diabetes are more prevalent in older individuals, especially women, and less educated people. People suffering with both chronic conditions simultaneously are more likely to have additional comorbidities.

Role of Socioeconomic Status in Hypertension among Chinese Middle-Aged and Elderly Individuals

“…In other researches, some other SES factors were also implied to be associated with hypertension. For example, education level, income, and depression had been suggested to be related to hypertension [19, 24, 25], but negative results were found in this study. Moreover, the calculation of concentration index in different income groups in Table 3 also supports this result, which showed that individuals in different income groups were equally likely to suffer hypertension.…”

Profile of patients with hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus from Primary Healthcare units

“…(19) Regarding diseases diagnoses, our results (68.0% with hypertension, 7.9% with diabetes and 24.1% with both diseases) were similar to a study conducted in 2011 with patients assisted by PHC of the city of Porto Alegre (RS), that reported proportions of 66,5% with hypertension, 6,5% with diabetes and 27,1% with both diseases. (14) In the study conducted in the city of Cambé (PR), 74.6% of patients had hypertension, 3.1% had diabetes and 22.3% both diseases, which are higher in relation to hypertension, lower in relation to diabetes and similar in relation to both diseases, in comparison with our results. (15) Another study, including patients from three basic health units from the city of Pelotas (RS), observed lower proportions regarding hypertension einstein (São Paulo).…”

“…The mean age of patients with hypertension (64 versus 57.0 years), diabetes (59 years versus 53.3 years) and those with both diseases (65.5 versus 61.5 years) and the proportion of women with hypertension (69.7% versus 64.3%), diabetes (58.1% versus 54.8%), and with both diagnoses (67.3% versus 63.1%) were also higher. (14) It should be considered, however, that in the study from 2011 all patients were evaluated, and in our study those aged up to 79 years.…”

Coronavirus Disease Pandemic Is a Real Challenge for Brazil

“…In summary, the Brazilian challenge is not only to stop the spread of COVID-19 but also to find agreement between political leaders, scientific societies, and the general population. The Brazilian scientific community and healthcare workers are working hard to provide support for political health measures to address COVID-19 (15,16). Hopefully, this pandemic may be an opportunity for political leaders and the general population to clearly comprehend the pivotal importance of science and the public health system in their daily lives.…”