Regular Khat (Catha edulis) chewing is associated with elevated diastolic blood pressure among adults in Butajira, Ethiopia: A comparative study

Abstract

BackgroundFresh leaves and buds of the Khat plant (Catha edulis) contain Cathinone, an amphetamine like alkaloid responsible for its pharmacological action. Chewing of Khat has been associated with a transient rise in blood pressure and heart rate in experimental studies. Few studies examined the effect of regular or frequent Khat chewing on blood pressure at the population level. This study was conducted to examine the association of regular Khat chewing with blood pressure among adults.MethodsWe compared systolic and diastolic blood pressure of adults 35-65 years of age who reported regular chewing of Khat during the preceding five years to those who never chewed Khat during the same period. Study participants were recruited from purposively selected urban and rural villages of Butajira District in Ethiopia. The comparative groups, chewers (334) and non-chewers (330), were identified from among the general population through a house-to-house visit using a screening questionnaire. They were frequency-matched for sex and age within a five-year range. Data were collected through structured interviews and physical measurements including blood pressure, weight and height.ResultsThe prevalence of hypertension was significantly higher among Khat chewers (13.4%) than non-chewers (10.7%), odds ratio (OR) = 1.66 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05, 3.13). A considerably high proportion of chewers (29.9%) than non-chewers (20.6%) had sub-optimal diastolic blood pressure (> 80 mmHg). The mean (sd) diastolic blood pressure was significantly higher among Khat chewers [75.0 (11.6)] than non-chewers [72.9 (11.7)], P < 0.05. Similarly, Khat chewers had significantly higher mean (sd) heart rate [76.3 (11.5)] than non-chewers [73.9 (12.6)], P < 0.05. There was no significant difference in mean systolic blood pressure between the two groups.ConclusionRegular chewing of Khat is associated with elevated mean diastolic blood pressure, which is consistent with the peripheral vasoconstrictor effect of Cathinone. Regular Khat chewing may have sustained effects on the cardiovascular system that can contribute to elevated blood pressure at the population level.

Prevalence of khat chewing and its effect on academic performance in Sidama zone, Southern Ethiopia

“…The growing research evidence shows that khat is a risk factor for different cardio-vascular disorders such as hypertension, ischemic heart diseases, and stroke 3,4 . Khat is also a risk factor for poor oral health 5 , psychosis 6 , mental distress 7 , anemia 8 , poor quality of life 9 , disturbed sleep pattern [10][11][12] , and duodenal ulcer 13 .…”

Prevalence of &lt;i&gt;Catha edulis&lt;/i&gt; (Khat) Chewing and Its Associated Factors among Ataye Secondary School Students in Northern Shoa, Ethiopia

“…Khat chewing nowadays has become an epidemic over East Africa especially in Ethiopia, Somali and southern Arab from the old to young, male and female, urban and rural settings (Getahun et al, 2010). Moreover, many adolescents have low knowledge towards adverse effects of khat chewing as indicated in literature (Oshodi et al, 2010).…”

La toxicité du khat impose-t-elle une modification de la réglementation de son usage en Europe?

“…La consommation régulière de khat est aussi associée à une élévation de la pression artérielle diastolique [46,47]. Chez le volontaire sain, l'augmentation de pression artérielle coïncide avec des concentrations plasmatiques de cathinone élevées [19].…”