HYPERTENSIVE RETINOPATHY - PREVALENCE, RISK FACTORS AND COMORBIDS

BACKGROUND Hypertension is one of the most important current health problems with complications like coronary heart disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease and retinopathy. Hypertensive retinopathy is regarded as one of the independent indicator for systemic morbidity and mortality. This study aims at studying the prevalence of hypertensive retinopathy, the risk factors, associated factors and comorbid conditions of it. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study in 120 hypertensive patients in Chengalpattu Medical College is conducted for the prevalence of HT retinopathy and the influence of age, sex, systolic BP, duration of HT, body mass index and lipids on retinopathy were also studied. The prevalence of comorbid conditions like coronary heart disease, stroke, chronic kidney and chronic obstructive lung disease were also studied. RESULTS The prevalence of HT retinopathy among HT patients is 41.5%. Age, female sex, systolic BP, duration of HT are significant risk factors of HT retinopathy. A high serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride are associated with HT retinopathy. Coronary artery disease and stroke are significantly associated comorbidities of HT retinopathy. CONCLUSION There is an increased prevalence of retinopathy among hypertensive patients; the risk factors both modifiable and non-modifiable increases the prevalence of retinopathy. The comorbid illnesses also increase the occurrence of retinopathy.