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Sep 19, 2007Article Details
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Main Article Content
Estimating the burden of disease attributable to high blood pressure in South Africa in 2000
Abstract
Objectives. To estimate the burden of disease attributable to
high blood pressure (BP) in adults aged 30 years and older in
South Africa in 2000.
Design. World Health Organization comparative risk
assessment (CRA) methodology was followed. Mean systolic
BP (SBP) estimates by age and sex were obtained from the 1998
South African Demographic and Health Survey adult data.
Population-attributable fractions were calculated and applied
to revised burden of disease estimates for the relevant disease
categories for South Africa in 2000. Monte Carlo simulationmodelling
techniques were used for uncertainty analysis.
Setting. South Africa.
Subjects. Adults aged 30 years and older.
Outcome measures. Mortality and disability-adjusted life
years (DALYs) from ischaemic heart disease (IHD), stroke,
hypertensive disease and other cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Results. High BP was estimated to have caused 46 888 deaths
(95% uncertainty interval 44 878 - 48 566) or 9% (95% uncertainty
interval 8.6 - 9.3%) of all deaths in South Africa in 2000, and
390 860 DALYs (95% uncertainty interval 377 955 - 402 256)
or 2.4% of all DALYs (95% uncertainty interval 2.3 - 2.5%) in
South Africa in 2000. Overall, 50% of stroke, 42% of IHD, 72%
of hypertensive disease and 22% of other CVD burden in adult
males and females (30+ years) were attributable to high BP
(systolic BP ≥ 115 mmHg).
Conclusions. High BP contributes to a considerable burden
of CVD in South Africa and results indicate that there is
considerable potential for health gain from implementing
BP-lowering interventions that are known to be highly costeffective.
South African Medical Journal Vol. 97 (8) Part 2 2007: pp. 692-698
