Predictors of hypertension control in Turkey: the MELEN study

D. Baltaci, E. Erbilen, Y. Turker, R. Alemdar, M. Aydin, A. Kaya, A. Celer, H. Cil, Y. Aslantas, H. Ozhan

Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Düzce University, Düzce, Turkey. ozhanhakan@yahoo.com

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• Cardiology

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is one of the most common causes of atherosclerosis, morbidity and mortality in adults. A total of 11 million hypertensive patients were estimated in Turkey.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, awareness and control of hypertension in Duzce and compare the current data with the literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The visits were carried out in May and June, 2010 in Yigilca town health centre on 2298 participants (1471 female, 827 male with a mean age of 50). Data were obtained by a simple form, physical examination and sampling of blood. Hypertension was defined as a blood pressure 140 mmHg and/or 90 mmHg, and/or use of antihypertensive medication. The data of patients under control were compared with the patients who were not under control.

RESULTS: Hypertension was detected in 964 participants. General prevalence was 42%. Hypertension awareness ratio was 70%, use of antihypertensive medication was 39% and the ratio of patients under control was 28%. Antihypertensive drug use, age and awareness were lower in the uncontrolled group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that only antihypertensive drug use and BMI < 30 were the independent predictors of hypertension under control [Odd’s ratio (OR) = 3.43; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.54-4.64, p < 0.001 and OR = 1.69; 95% CI = 1.23- 2.32, p = 0.01; respectively].

CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension is one of the most important public health problems in Turkey. According to the literature data the awareness of hypertension was increased significantly in the last five years. On the other hand, control ratio was increased very little compared with the previous studies.

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