Objective: Diabetes mellitus and hypertension are interrelated metabolic disorders that substantially increase cardiovascular risk. Their coexistence may adversely influence glycemic control; however, evidence on this association remains inconsistent across populations. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of concomitant hypertension on glycemic control, as measured by HbA1c levels, in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Design and method: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 200 adult patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The cohort was divided into two groups: diabetic patients with hypertension and those without hypertension. Glycemic control was evaluated using glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. An independent samples t-test was performed to determine the statistical significance of the difference in HbA1c between the two groups. Results: The mean HbA1c in diabetic patients with hypertension was 8.71%, while it was 8.14% in those without hypertension. This difference of 0.57% was found to be statistically significant (t = 2.055, p = 0.041). The results suggest that diabetic patients with hypertension exhibit poorer glycemic control than their normotensive counterparts. Conclusions: The presence of hypertension in diabetic patients is significantly associated with higher HbA1c levels, indicating suboptimal glycemic control. This finding supports the need for integrated management approaches for diabetes and hypertension to improve metabolic outcomes. The observed association aligns with previous studies suggesting that coexisting hypertension may exacerbate insulin resistance and hinder glucose homeostasis. These findings align with earlier studies, including the UKPDS 35, which established a continuous relationship between HbA1c and complications such as retinopathy and cardiovascular events. The role of hypertension in exacerbating insulin resistance, impairing endothelial function, and promoting systemic inflammation may contribute to this observed deterioration in glycemic control. Moreover, antihypertensive medication regimens, particularly those that include beta-blockers or diuretics, may further complicate glucose homeostasis.
Aniket Inamdar (Fri,) studied this question.