Prevalence of Hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus among Patients with Metabolic Syndrome in Rural Southern Nigeria: Gender and Age Disparities.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of interconnected risk factors, including obesity, hypertension, elevated blood sugar, and abnormal lipid profiles. Its increasing prevalence globally poses a significant public health concern. This study investigated the prevalence of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in patients with MetS, considering age and gender in a rural teaching hospital.

Methodology: Conducted at Igbinedion University Teaching Hospital, Edo State, the study involved 75 patients selected through simple random sampling using the 2009 Joint Interim Statement (JIS) criteria of the IDF/AHA/NHLBI. It utilised an observational, cross-sectional, and retrospective design, focusing on individuals aged 18 years and older who consented to participate. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS version 23, with p < 0.05 considered significant.

Results: The findings indicated that 60% of patients with MetS had hypertension, 17.3% had T2DM, and 22.7% were diagnosed with both conditions. Among hypertensive patients, 57.3% were female (P = 0.110). For T2DM, 25.3% of patients were female (P = 0.766). The prevalence of both T2DM (P = 0.106) and hypertension (P = 0.708) was higher in middle-aged patients compared to other age groups.

Conclusion: This study highlights the significant prevalence of hypertension and T2DM among patients with MetS in a rural teaching hospital, with notable variations across gender and age groups. While hypertension was more common in females, T2DM showed no significant gender disparity. Middle-aged individuals exhibited a higher prevalence of both conditions, underscoring the need for targeted screening and intervention strategies in this demographic.