Prevalence and risk factors of pre-hypertension and hypertension among adults in Southeastern Iran: Findings from the baseline survey of the Zahedan adult cohort study

Management of Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension During Hospitalization in Maxillofacial Departments

Background and Objectives: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN) continue to increase and pose a significant burden on the health system worldwide. These patients comprise a significant portion of the hospitalized Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) department. Addressing and controlling DM and HTN during hospitalization should thus be one of the treatment goals. This study aims to investigate the management and outcomes of DM and HTN during the hospitalization period in the OMFS department. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with community-diagnosed DM and/or HTN admitted to the OMFS department between 2017 and 2019 was conducted at Rambam Healthcare Campus, Haifa, Israel. Linear regression analysis was used to determine trends in changes in blood pressure and blood glucose levels during hospitalization. The impact of consults from internal medicine experts and endocrinologists was tested using a paired-samples t-test. Results: A statistically significant reduction was observed in all systolic HTN patients categorized as stages 1 and 2, p = 0.012 and p = 0.001, respectively. A statistically significant (p = 0.012) reduction in blood glucose levels in all DM patients with initial values higher than 250 mg/dL was observed. A statistically significant reduction in blood glucose levels was observed in the DM group of patients who received endocrinologist consultations (p = 0.012). Conclusions: Addressing patients with systemic conditions during hospitalization in the OMFS department is mandatory. External medical consulting can be of great value for short-term treatment during hospitalization and may also have long-term benefits after discharge to the community. The main limitations of this study include retrospective data acquisition, a small sample size, and a lack of data regarding the impact of pain management on blood pressure and glucose levels.

High prevalence of elevated blood pressure (prehypertension) and hypertension among undergraduate university students in the UAE: a serious health concern

Hypertension, often referred to as a "silent killer," due to its lack of obvious symptoms but can lead to devastating complications such as cardiovascular disease and stroke, particularly when left unmanaged. This highlights the importance of early screening of elevated blood pressure. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of elevated blood pressure (prehypertension) and hypertension among undergraduate university students, along with the associated risk factors. We recruited 344 randomly selected undergraduate students for a cross-sectional study. Blood pressure (BP) measurements were taken following best practice guidelines. In addition, body mass index (BMI) was measured, while other risk factors were collected through a questionnaire. Out of all participants, 36% exhibited elevated blood pressure, with the following breakdown: 15% (n = 51) had prehypertension, 18% (n = 62) had stage 1 hypertension, and 3% (n = 10) had stage 2 hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension was significantly higher among male students (52.7 and 100%, respectively) compared to female students (47.3, and 0% respectively). Significant correlations were found between blood pressure, BMI, and physical activity levels (P ≤ 0.001 and P ≤ 0.011, respectively). Our findings reveal a concerning prevalence of prehypertension and, to a greater extent, hypertension among undergraduate university students. Elevated blood pressure levels were strongly correlated with male gender, BMI, and physical activity levels. These results warrant further large-scale investigation and underscore the urgent need to raise awareness about this significant health risk in the younger population.

Impact of BMI Reduction After Sleeve Surgery on ESR and CRP Levels in Patients with Obesity

BACKGROUND

Obesity is commonly linked with a pro-inflammatory condition, marked by elevated levels of inflammatory biomarkers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Sleeve gastrectomy, a widely utilized bariatric procedure, aims to achieve substantial weight loss and enhance metabolic function. This study aims to examine the impact of body mass index (BMI) reduction following sleeve gastrectomy on the levels of inflammatory markers CRP and ESR in obese individuals.

METHODS

A prospective observational study was carried out on patients with obesity who underwent sleeve gastrectomy between 2020 and 2022 at Luqman Hakim Medical Education Center. CRP and ESR levels were recorded preoperatively and then at 6- and 12-month post-surgery. Simple regression analysis was employed to evaluate the correlation between BMI reduction and changes in CRP and ESR levels over time.

RESULTS

A significant reduction in BMI, CRP, and ESR levels was observed at both 6- and 12-month post-surgery. However, regression analysis indicated that BMI reduction did not significantly predict changes in ESR (B = 0.209, p = 0.262) or CRP (B = 0.274, p = 0.079) at the 6-month and 12-month follow-ups (CRP: B = 0.123, p = 0.138; ESR: B = 0.122, p = 0.453).

CONCLUSIONS

While sleeve gastrectomy significantly reduces BMI and inflammatory markers such as CRP and ESR in patients with obesity, the direct association between BMI reduction and these markers was not statistically significant. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and identify other potential predictors of inflammatory marker reduction post-surgery.

Hypertension in Young Asymptomatic University Students: Impact of Parental History, Physical Inactivity, and Diet

Introduction Non-communicable diseases such as hypertension have emerged as a major public concern over the past two decades due to lifestyle changes. Patients with prehypertension have a greater risk of developing coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Hypertension is a major modifiable risk factor for premature death worldwide. Evidence about the prevalence of hypertension and related variables, however, is sparse among university students in areas with limited resources. This study was conducted with an aim to evaluate the impact of parental history, physical inactivity, and diet on the blood pressure readings of university students. Methodology For this study, 337 university students aged between 18 and 30 years (102 males and 235 females) were randomly selected. The data was collected through a structured questionnaire, which gathered information about the lifestyle habits of the participating students. Trained students measured the participant's blood pressure according to a standardized procedure. Results Of the total participants, 50.7% (n= 171) were normotensive, 36.8% (n= 124) were prehypertensive, and 12.5% (n= 42) were hypertensive. Males were more prone to developing prehypertension (54.9%) while females were more likely to develop hypertension (12.7%). The consumption of sugared beverages and Western fast food showed a statistically significant relationship with increased blood pressure. A significant relationship was also seen between the duration of exercise and hypertension (p-value =0.007) Conclusion Hypertension and prehypertension are common among university students. The risk factors for these conditions include a positive family history, being male, increased intake of fast food and sugar-sweetened beverages, and reduced duration of regular exercise. These findings emphasize the significance of implementing targeted health education programs aimed at fostering healthy lifestyle practices among young adults.

Prevalence of Pre-Hypertension/Hypertension and Its Associated Factors Among Adults in the Wolaita Zone of Southern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Preventing the development of high blood pressure and resulting complication requires estimating the prevalence of prehypertension/hypertension and identifying associated risk factors. Information about pre-hypertension/hypertension in Ethiopia, especially in the southern region, is scarce, and limited knowledge exists regarding the prevalence and risk factors associated with pre-hypertension/hypertension. Objective of this study was to assess prevalence of pre-hypertension/hypertension and its associated factors among adults in Wolaita Zone of Southern Ethiopia, 2023. This cross-sectional study was conducted among adults attending outpatient departments in governmental hospitals in South Ethiopia in 2023. Face-to-face interviews were used to gather information on sociodemographic data, dietary and behavioral patterns, and medical history. Digital weighing scales, Stadiometers, and digital sphygmomanometers were used to measure height, blood pressure, and weight, respectively. Epi-Data version 3.1 was used to enter the data before exporting it to SPSS version 25 for analysis. To find factors associated with prehypertension/hypertension, binary logistic regressions were conducted and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were computed. The overall prevalence of prehypertension/hypertension was 42.8% (95% confidence interval: 39.56, 49.47). Factors associated with prehypertension/hypertension in this study were older age, male gender, obesity, diabetes mellitus comorbidity, alcohol drinking, and family history of hypertension. Lifestyle modification is demanded for pre-hypertensive/hypertensive patients to prevent progression to severe complications, including premature death and permanent disabilities.