Prevalence and factors associated with suboptimal blood pressure among ambulatory patients with diabetic kidney disease attending a tertiary hospital in Uganda.

BACKGROUND

Kidney failure prevalence is increasing among diabetic kidney disease (DKD) patients in low-income countries. Suboptimal blood pressure (BP) drives kidney failure and mortality. The burden of suboptimal BP and its associated factors among these patients are not well documented.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence of suboptimal BP and associated factors among those with DKD attending Kiruddu National Referral Hospital.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, recruited participants were screened for DKD using urine dipsticks from 6th May 2020 to 15th July 2020. A pretested questionnaire was administered, BP, height and weight were measured. Suboptimal BP was defined as systolic BP > 130mmHg and or diastolic BP > 80mmHg. A Poisson regression model analysed the associated factors.

RESULTS

250 participants with DKD, mean age of 52(11) years were included of whom 199 (79.6%) were female. Suboptimal BP prevalence was 84.4%, associated with past (p = 0.04) and current (p < 0.001) alcohol use, overweight (p < 0.001) and obesity (p < 0.001), wage earning (p < 0.001) and professionals (p = 0.048).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of suboptimal BP was high among the overweight, obese, unemployed and alcohol users. Thus, there is a need for better BP control interventions.