Orthostatic Hypotension in Male Hypertensive Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Gondar, Ethiopia.

Background: Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is defined as a fall in systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥20 mmHg or diastolic BP (DBP) ≥10 mmHg within 3 minutes of standing. OH incidence is increased with hypertension, and management of these patients may pose challenges, as treatment of one can worsen the other.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of OH and its associated factors among male hypertensive patients at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Gondar, Ethiopia.

Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional design was employed. Seated BP was measured twice and the average of the two taken. After BP had been stabilized for 5 minutes, SBP within 3 minutes of standing was measured twice and the minimum of the two taken. A drop of ≥20 mmHg in SBP within 3 minutes of standing was taken as OH. All male hypertensive patients who were able to attain a standing position were included. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, and clinical status of the patients were taken using structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS 21. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were done. P≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The median age of study participants was 57 (25-96) years. The prevalence of OH was 17.6%. Uncontrolled hypertension (adjusted OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.125-3.872) and duration of hypertension ≥5 years (adjusted OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.069-3.895) were significantly associated with OH in hypertensive patients.

Conclusion: The prevalence of OH among male hypertensive patients was high. Hypertensive patients whose BP was uncontrolled and having had hypertension ≥5 years were risk factors of OH.