Factors associated with Uncontrolled Hypertension among the elderly hypertension in Rural Region of Vietnam

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine factors including biochemical markers, dietary habits, and social-anthropometric associated with uncontrolled hypertension among elderly hypertension in rural regions of Vietnam.

Methods

This study included 272 hypertension patients aged over 60 years. Demographic data, anthropometric measurements, and risk factors associated with hypertension were from the cross-sectional study of 272 customers at the Medical Examination Department, Samson General Hospital, Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam. Biochemical markers including total cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting blood glucose were measured. Dietary habits were by using a frequency questionnaire. Uncontrolled hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure of ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure of ≥90 mmHg in a patient taking anti-hypertensive medication.

Generalized multiple linear regression was used to assess the impact of related factors on blood pressure, which were used as the dependent variables. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) of related factors for hypertension status.

Results

The study found that men had more uncontrolled hypertension than women among the elderly population. The prevalences of hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypercholesterolemia were high in both controlled and uncontrolled groups. There was an inverse association between fruits (p=0.021) and vegetable consumption (p=0.038) and a positive correlation between salty habits (p=0.040) and processed food (p<0.001) with blood pressure in the uncontrolled hypertension group. Notably, in multivariable models, a high level of drinking habits was positively associated with uncontrolled hypertension (OR: 8.0; 95% CI: 1.0–63.2) and lack of vegetables (OR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.1–5.0) in compared to those with controlled hypertension.

Conclusions

This study suggests that unhealthy dietary habits including lack of vegetable consumption and high drinking habits are important factors associated with uncontrolled hypertension in elderly patients in rural Vietnam.