PREVALENCE OF DIAGNOSED AND UNDIAGNOSED HYPERTENSION IN A RURAL COMMUNITY: A HOME BASED SCREENING STUDY

Background: Hypertension is one of the global risks for mortality and is seen with drastic rise in developing nations with rise in age. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in Ottapalam town, Palakkad district, Kerala, India. Based on inclusion criteria (non-pregnant, age group between 35-75 years) 142 subjects were studied. Patient data (demographics, lifestyle factors, medical reports) was collected with the help of a suitable questionnaire. Results: The results during the study period of four months on 142 subjects for hypertension and pre-hypertension revealed that, more than half (69%) of the study group were found to be hypertensives. Of the 98 reported cases, 42(29.57% of 142) were "known" cases of hypertension and 22 (15.49% of 142) were newly diagnosed cases. This included cases which were had ISH, IDH and cases having both diabetes and hypertension. A positive association was observed between hypertension and age, BMI, alcohol and, tobacco uses other than smoking. 25 patients were found to be pre-hypertensive, among which 56% (14 cases) were males and 44% (11 cases) females. In addition to the above findings, a positive association was also observed between pre-hypertension and age, BMI, family history of diabetes and, hypertension. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the fact that the burden of hypertension is insidiously increasing in India and is becoming common among communities. Patient awareness and timely diagnosis and appropriate intervention may limit the progression of such diseases.