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Mar 7, 2013Keywords:
hypertension young adult
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Clinical Presentation and Aetiology of Hypertension in Young Adults in Nnewi South East Nigeria
Abstract
Background: Hypertension is known to occur in young people. It often starts in childhood and continues in adulthood. It is usually asymptomatic but occasionally may cause symptoms when severe or complicated by end organ damage. In majority of cases, no cause is found and this is referred to as essential hypertension. However, a secondary cause is often suspected in young people.
Objective: The objective of this study is to ascertain the clinical presentation of hypertension in young adults and identify secondary causes in medical out patient department of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi.
Methods: This is a retrospective study of all hypertensive patients between 18 and 30 years of age seen at the medical outpatient clinic over a 5-year period from August 2004 to July
2009. The records of these patients were retrieved and analyzed.
Results: There were 91 patients comprising of 43 males and 48 females. The mean age at diagnosis of hypertension was 25.2 years .Headache was the most common symptom and was seen in 20.3%. Other symptoms in order of frequency include leg swelling, palpitation, generalized body swelling, chest pain, blurring of vision, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Eighteen (19.8%) patients were asymptomatic. Secondary causes were identified in 36 (39.6%) patients. Renal disease was the major cause of secondary hypertension and accounted for 69% of secondary cases.
Conclusion: Hypertension occurs in young adults and may present with non specific symptoms such as headache, dizziness, palpitation and symptoms of the underlying secondary cause. Renal disease appears to be responsible for majority of the secondary hypertension.
Key words : hypertension, young adult.
Afrimedic Journal 2010; 1(1): 24-26
Objective: The objective of this study is to ascertain the clinical presentation of hypertension in young adults and identify secondary causes in medical out patient department of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi.
Methods: This is a retrospective study of all hypertensive patients between 18 and 30 years of age seen at the medical outpatient clinic over a 5-year period from August 2004 to July
2009. The records of these patients were retrieved and analyzed.
Results: There were 91 patients comprising of 43 males and 48 females. The mean age at diagnosis of hypertension was 25.2 years .Headache was the most common symptom and was seen in 20.3%. Other symptoms in order of frequency include leg swelling, palpitation, generalized body swelling, chest pain, blurring of vision, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Eighteen (19.8%) patients were asymptomatic. Secondary causes were identified in 36 (39.6%) patients. Renal disease was the major cause of secondary hypertension and accounted for 69% of secondary cases.
Conclusion: Hypertension occurs in young adults and may present with non specific symptoms such as headache, dizziness, palpitation and symptoms of the underlying secondary cause. Renal disease appears to be responsible for majority of the secondary hypertension.
Key words : hypertension, young adult.
Afrimedic Journal 2010; 1(1): 24-26
