Co-morbidities and clinical complications associated with patients undergoing hypertension Pharmacotherapy in Bayelsa state

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases are upshot of patients with suboptimal control of hypertension. Prolonged hypertension will alter the myocardial structure, coronary vascularization, and the conduction system of the heart. Management of hypertension requires consideration of comorbidities and possible complications. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of comorbidities and clinical complications associated with hypertensive patients and their longterm effects. It is a retrospective study of data obtained from patient's medical records in two tertiary hospitals in Bayelsa State. A systematic sampling method was used to select patients' folders that met the study requirements. The data were collected using a pre- tested questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 23.0, Excel Spreadsheet, and Graph Pad software. ANOVA was used to express the statistical difference among the variables. Findings show that there were 332 comorbidities and 142 complications from 720 patients. For comorbidities, the various percentages were: diabetes mellitus (DM) 49.2%, peptic ulcer disease (PUD) 12.7%,, arthritis 6.7%, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) 4.1%, acute kidney disease (AKD) 4.1%, others 21.9%. Also, complications were observed proportionally as heart related 31%; neurological diseases 24%, eye diseases 14.7%, DM/Foot ulcer 12%, chronic kidney disease (CKD) 3.5%, others 14.8%. Cases of eye and neurological diseases seem to increase with age and suboptimal adherence to advice on life style modification in one facility only. Conclusively, the findings reveal that DM was the most prevalent comorbidity followed by PUD, arthritis and kidney diseases. Complications include heart related complications, neurological diseases, eye diseases, DM/Foot ulcer, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and others. Hence, to reduce the prevalence of comorbidities and complications, there is need for more education and closer monitoring of patients to ensure adherence to advice on lifestyle modification and medications.

Keywords: Complications, comorbidities, antihypertensive agents, hypertension, Bayelsa State