Blood pressure control among type 2 diabetics.

OBJECTIVE: To assess blood pressure (BP) control in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM type 2) treated in primary health care.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in primary health care at King Fahad Military Complex Hospital in Dhahran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, between August 2003 and February 2004, to assess blood pressure control in type 2 diabetics. A sample of 403 medical records of type 2 diabetic patients was selected using systematic random sampling after ordering the medical record numbers. The data were collected through a pre-coded checklist.

RESULTS: Hypertension was found in 57.8% of diabetic patients with no statistically significant difference between males and females. The mean age of diabetic patients was significantly higher in hypertensives than non-hypertensives (p=0.001). The mean duration of hypertension was significantly higher in females (p=0.02). There were only 14.2% of hypertensive diabetic patients in whom blood pressure was controlled. Poor control was significantly associated with obesity, and a higher rate of complications. Blood pressure control correlated positively and significantly with the age of patients, and negatively with duration of diabetes and hypertension. The most commonly prescribed antihypertensive were angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in 29.3%, followed by angiotensin receptors blockers in 24.1%, and the least prescribed drug was thiazide diuretic.

CONCLUSION: Blood pressure in diabetic patients needs to be given particular attention from all health care professionals, especially primary care family physicians, who should follow the new guidelines for better control of blood pressure, and fewer complications. Patient's awareness should be increased, through continuous health education with different modalities.