PREVALENCE OF RESISTANT HYPERTENSION PATIENTS IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is highly prevalent in India but frequency of resistant hypertension has not been
well studied. These patients are prone to high risk of hypertensive complications. The objective of our study was to
evaluate the prevalence of resistant hypertension patients among the hypertensive population.
METHODS: The study was carried out among the hypertensive patients in tertiary care hospital in India. Patient
data, characteristics and class of drugs taking was recorded using a pre-coded questionnaire. Morisky questionnaire
were used to assess the self medication adherence. Chi-square test for association was used to analyse the statistical
difference between the hypertensive and resistant hypertension patients and related variables.
RESULT: A total of 200 patients were included in the study, In the 35% (n=70) of patients have essential
hypertension and 65% (n=130) of patients have resistant hypertension. Resistant hypertension was more
significantly associated with patients ≥40 years of age , who are all have normal BMI, not doing their physical
activity, non compliant to recommended diet and not taking their antihypertensive medication regularly. Prevalence
of comorbid condition, including diabetes mellitus (p=0.000), hyperlipidemia (p=0.000), cardiovascular
disease(p=0.000),chronic kidney disease (p=0.003) was statistically significant between the hypertensive and
resistant hypertension patients. Only 3% patients (n=4) have high medical adherence.
CONCLUSION: Resistant hypertension is a prevalent clinical condition, and its prevalence is on the rise (n=130,
65%). With our ageing (≥40 years), normal BMI population, lack of physical activity, personal habits
(smoking,alcohol), noncompliance with recommended diets, lack of physical activity, and failure to take
antihypertensive medication on a regular basis, the associated increasing incidence of diabetes, hyperlipidemia,
coronary artery disease and chronic kidney disease, resistant hypertension will be even more prevalent.