Investigating the incidence and risk factors of hypertension: A multicentre retrospective cohort study in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background Hypertension is a major global health concern affecting approximately 1.13 billion people worldwide, with most of them residing in developing countries. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of different stages of hypertension and its associated modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors among patients in military-setting hospitals in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Methods This retrospective cohort study was conducted at two hospitals in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The data were collected from hospital electronic records from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019. The blood pressure levels of patients from the last three separate medical visits were recorded. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression were used for the data analysis. Results The study included 884 hypertensive patients. The incidences of stage of elevated BP, stage 1, stage 2, and hypertension crisis were 60.0, 29.5, 7.0, and 3.5 cases per 1000 persons. Multivariate analysis indicated that progression from the stage of elevated blood pressure to hypertension crisis was significantly associated with advanced age (odds ratio [OR] = 3.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.99–8.42), male sex (OR = 2.84, 95% CI: 0.57–5.92), and a positive family history of hypertension (OR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.23–3.09). Other key determinants of the development of stage of elevated blood pressure to hypertension crisis were current smoking status (OR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.23–4.76), and physical inactivity (OR = 6.48, 95% CI: 2.46–9.14). Conclusion The incidence stage of elevated blood pressure was high among the patients investigated at armed forces hospitals in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The logistic regression model proposed in the present study can be used to predict the development of different stages of hypertension. Age, sex, marital status, family history, smoking status, and physical activity play an important role in the development of hypertension. Better strategies to improve awareness, screening, treatment, and management of hypertension are required in Saudi Arabia.

Ethnicity affects the risk factors of acute myocardial infarction and should be considered in educational programs

“…in the Tabuk region. Other risk factors including age >50 years and smoking status in this study also substantiated by the other study conducted in the northern region of Saudi Arabia ( 27 , 28 ). However, it has been reported that 83.33% of the studied population had a history of dyslipidemia ( 27 ).…”

Medication Adherence Among Hypertensive Patients Attending Different Primary Health Centers in Abha, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…It has been estimated that about one in four adults have been diagnosed with hypertension. [10][11][12] Furthermore, poor blood pressure control among Saudi patients is well demonstrated in the literature. 13,14 A study conducted in Malaysia to assess medication adherence among hypertensive patients of primary health centers (PHC) showed good adherence in 53.4% of the total population studied.…”

National Heart Center/Saudi Heart Association 2023 Guidelines on the Management of Hypertension

“…When specifically considering cardiovascular risk factors in people with hypertension, a study in Saudi Arabia showed that 14% also have diabetes, and more than half are obese [ 11 ]. Poor physical activity is also observed in more than 70% of people with stage 1 hypertension, stage 2 hypertension or hypertensive crisis [ 36 ].…”