COMPARISON OF THE AMBULATORY BLOOD PRESSURE VARIABILITY IN DIABETIC HYPERTENSIVE AND NON DIABETIC HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

Objective: To examine the possible difference in the short-term BP variability between diabetic and non-diabetic hypertensives. Methodology: It is a prospective observational cohort study. The present research was carried out in cardiology ward of Bahawalpur Victoria Hospital for the duration of six months from 01-06-2018 to 30-11-2018. 392 patients between 18 years to 60 years of age, including both genders are recruited in the study who are diabetic-hypertensives (exposed group) and hypertensives without diabetes ((unexposed group) and blood pressure <140/90 mmHg by drugs Results: We measured 24-hr ambulatory BP in 196 diabetic hypertensive (diabetic HTN) and 196 non-diabetic hypertensive (non-diabetic HTN). There were no statistically significant differences in ambulatory day time systolic BP (130.71 mmHg vs. 128.88 mmHg), and night time ambulatory systolic BP (129.03 mmHg vs. 136.68 mmHg) between diabetic HTN and non-diabetic HTN. Diabetic HTN had a significantly greater day ambulatory systolic and diastolic BP variability than non-diabetic HTN (4.80 mmHg vs. 4.18 mmHg, p < 0.05; 3.64 mmHg vs. 2.80 mmHg, p < 0.05, respectively) and diabetic HTN had a significantly greater night systolic and diastolic BP variability than non-diabetic HTN (4.99 mmHg vs. 3.88 mmHg, p < 0.05; 3.39 mmHg vs. 2.82 mmHg, p < 0.05, respectively). Conclusion: These results demonstrate that BP variability is increased in diabetic hypertensive. It is noted that fasting blood glucose level were found to be raised in patients with increased BP variability.