FREQUENCY OF RESISTANT HYPERTENSION IN A HYPERTENSIVE POPULATION

Resistant Hypertension

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of resistant hypertension in hypertensive population.
Study Design: Descriptive study.
Place and Duration of Study: CMH Kohat, Pakistan from Aug 2010 to Dec 2010.
Methods: One hundred and fifty patients were selected for the study. All had blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg despite use of 3 antihypertensive drugs including one diuretic. Once admitted, patients were given the same medicines in the doses which they were taking under DOT (direct observed therapy) programme executed by a nursing assistant to exclude non-compliance to treatment. All the data was analyzed using SPSS version 16.
Results: Out of total 150 patients, 96 (64%) patients were males and 54 (36%) were females. Male to female ratio was 1: 1.8. Mean age was 46.93 years (SD ± 16.38). Compliance of patients to anti hypertensive treatment was ensures by DOT. There was no step up treatment. Mean BMI was 25.95 kg/m2 (SD ± 2.38), patients 71.3% were overweight i.e. BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. Out of total 150 patients, 16 (10.7%) patients had resistant hypertension using the cut off value of BP >140/ 90 mmHg.
Conclusion: A significant number of hypertensive patients are suffering from resistant hypertension. Such patients need further evaluation to rule out any genetic, secondary and life style/diet related cause.