Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in community dwelling older adults with chronic kidney disease: the irish longitudinal study on ageing

Background Hypertension is highly prevalent in chronic kidney disease (CKD), posing a significant but modifiable risk for adverse clinical outcomes. This study explored the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in older Irish adults with CKD. Methods Data were analysed from participants in Wave 1 of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) who were aged 50 years and older. CKD was defined as eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.72m2, hypertension defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥90 mmHg and/or self-reported use of antihypertensive medication. Participant awareness and treatment of hypertension was based on self-report and SBP/DBP < 140/90 mmHg. Multivariable logistic regression examined relationships with awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension expressed as adjusted odds ratios. Results Prevalence of hypertension was significantly higher in participants with CKD than without (81.9% vs 59.7%, P < 0.001). Among hypertensive individuals, 70.1% (95% CI: 65.8–74.1) were aware, 83.5% (95% CI 80.0–86.6) were on treatment, yet blood pressure control < 140/90 mmHg and < SBP 120 mmHg was achieved in only 49.3% (CI 44.0–54.7%), and 17.9% (CI 14.4–22.1) respectively. In multivariable analysis, advancing age 1.05 (CI 1.01–1.10), obesity 6.23 (CI 2.51–15.5), diabetes 5.78 (CI 1.55–21.5), cardiovascular disease 9.89 (CI 3.27–29.9) were associated with higher odds of treatment, while cardiovascular disease 2.35 (CI 1.39–3.99) and combination antihypertensive therapy 1.76 (CI 1.03–3.01) was associated with blood pressure control. Conclusion The prevalence of hypertension is substantial in older Irish adults with CKD; however, control is poor. Approximately, one third of participants were unaware of their hypertensive status and approximately one fifth were untreated.