Epidemiologic Survey on Hypertension and Its Relation with Obesity, Diabetes and Hyperlipidemia in Islamshahr, Iran

Despite impressive progress in diagnosis, treatment and control of hypertension, this symptom is still one of the major causes of brain and kidney disease as well as cardiac insufficiencies. Since the control of blood lipids, glucose and body weight are highly important in the prevention and treatment of hypertensive drugs, this epidemiologic study was carried out in Islamshahr, 30 Km. to The Southwest of Tehran to investigate the relationship of hypertension with BMI, blood lipids and glucose. Out of 244000 inhabitants, 1919 (40% male and 60% female subjects) over 30 years of age were selected by step-wise random sampling in 17 districts of Islamshahr. A fasting blood sample was secured from each subject for cholesterol and triglyceride measurement. Another blood sample was collected two hours following on oral dose of 75 g. glucose. Height and weight were measured and BMI calculated. The subjects seated blood pressure was taken. Blood glucose was determined by orthotoluidine method. Triglyceride and cholesterol were measured by RA 1000 atUoanalyzer. Mean and SD systolic BP was 128±23 mmHg with no significant difference between males and females. Mean ±SD diastolic BP was 78 ± 13 mmHg in females who had significantly higher BP than males (78 ± 13 in females VS. 76± 13 in males P<0.003). Mean diastolic and systolic BP increased with age in both sexes, while diastolic hypertension remained static from the fifth decade on. Mean ±SD two-hour blood glucose in diastolically normal, mild and severe hypertension were 120±59, 133±64 and 150±94 mg/dl respectively. These figures, for systolic pressure were 117±55, 128±60 and 156±87 mg/dl respectively. Diastolic pressure was high in 19% of normal subjects, 34% of IGT and 34 % of diabetics (P < 0.01). The same figures for systolic pressure were 24, 42 and 51 % respectively (P < 0.01). Diastolic pressure in subjects possessing normal and abnormal serum triglyceride was 18 % and 27 % (P < 0.001) while systolic pressure was 24 % and 34% (P<0.001). In 19% of those having normal cholesterol levels and 26 % of those with abnormal cholesterol levels diastolic pressure was high (P < 0.001). For systolic pressure the same figures were 24 % and 34 % (P < 0.001). Prevalence of mild and severe obesity in subjects with diastolic and systolic hypertension were 46 and 41 % . Obesity together with hypertension were more pronounced in women than in men in that 13 % of females and 5.7 % of males having diastolic hypertension and 13.9% of females and 8.1 % of males having systolic blood pressure were obese. This survey points to the high prevalence of hypertension in people over 30 years of age. Higher diastolic blood pressue in women compared to men and the correlation between hypertension on the one hand and TG, cholesterol, blood glucose levels and obesity the other, merits attention and further studies.