Prevalence and factors associated with arterial hypertension in people who live at altitude

Diaz-Lazo A.; Diaz-Meyzan L.; Alanya-Hilario M. · Revista del Cuerpo Medico Hospital Nacional Almanzor Aguinaga Asenjo (2025) · DOI: 10.35434/rcmhnaaa.2025.182.2525

Resumen

Objective: to determine the prevalence and factors associated with high blood pressure (HTN) in adults who live at high altitude. Material and methods: observational, analytical, cross-sectional and prospective study. A sample of 843 people aged 18 or older was included; HBP was defined as a blood pressure value ≥ 140/90 mmHg. A survey was carried out using simple random sampling. Adjusted prevalence rates were estimated to determine associated factors. P< 0.05 was shown to be significant. Results: the median age was 53 years (IQR: 27); 520 (61.7%) were women; 307 (36.4%) were > 60 years old. A prevalence of HTN was found to be 19.6% (165). Between 40 and 49 years of age the prevalence was 14% and from 70 and older it was 41%. The incidence of new cases was 8.30 cases per 1000 people, 71.5% (118) received pharmacological treatment, of which 72.8% (86) were on monotherapy. HBP control was 70.9% (117). The factors positively associated with HTN were alcohol consumption (PR=1.65; 95%CI=1.09-2.49) and negatively associated with diabetes mellitus (PR=0.43; 95%CI=0.30-0.61) and obesity (PR=0.69; 95%CI=0.49-0.96) according to the multivariate analysis carried out adjusted for age and sex. Conclusion: the prevalence of HTN is high, which increases with increasing age and the factor favorably associated with HTN was alcohol consumption, while diabetes mellitus and obesity were negatively associated.

Instituciones: Universidad de Huánuco