Determinants of isolated systolic hypertension among diabetic patients visiting the diabetic clinic at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Northern Ghana

BACKGROUND: Hypertension and diabetes mellitus, two of the leading risk factors for atherosclerosis, are associated with numerous complications, including heart attacks and strokes. AIM: This study established the prevalence and determinants of isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) in diabetes mellitus patients visiting the Tamale Teaching Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this purposive cross-sectional study, 107 diabetes mellitus patients were recruited from the out-patient diabetes clinic of the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH). Blood and urine samples were collected for the estimation of fasting blood glucose (FBG) and routine urinalysis respectively. A well-structured pre-tested questionnaire was used to obtain socio-demographic data and clinical history of participants, and their blood pressure measured with a mercury sphygmomanometer. RESULTS: The prevalence of ISH among the participants was 37.4%. Mean age and FBG were significantly higher among participants with ISH than the normotensives (56.20 ± 10.60 v 48.44 ± 11.6, P= 0.022; and 8.80 ± 3.06 v 6.01 ± 0.50, P= 0.034 respectively). Type of diabetes mellitus was associated with ISH (P= 0.010) and age was a risk factor of ISH (OR= 1.057, P= 0.008). CONCLUSION: Isolated systolic hypertension was prevalent in 37.4% of diabetes mellitus patients and was associated with older age. Effective measures should, therefore, be instituted to prevent ISH in patients with type 2 diabetes especially the elderly.