Evaluated risk factors showed no statistically significant association with high risk for hypertension and diabetes among 77 patients, despite 19.48% being classified as high-risk.
What factors are associated with high risk for hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus among risk-assessed patients?
A cross-sectional study of 77 patients in a Philippine health center found no statistically significant factors associated with high risk for hypertension and diabetes, though a high prevalence of obesity and physical inactivity was noted.
Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are among the growing public health problems globally which cause premature and preventable deaths. They remain as leading causes of mortality in the Philippines, specifically hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Objective: This study aimed to determine the factors associated with high risk for hypertension and T2DM among patients who were risk-assessed in the Center for Dialysis, Healthy Lifestyle, Ambulatory Surgery, Maternity Clinic and Newborn Care of Pasig City (CHAMP) Health Center from January to December 2020. Methodology: An analytical cross-sectional study design was utilized to determine the factors associated with hypertension and T2DM among risk-assessed patients. Secondary data from the NCD registry of the City Health Department of Pasig was obtained through a one-time collection. Results: Among the 77 patients included in the study, 19.48% were classified as high-risk for hypertension and T2DM. Through a simple logistic regression, no variable was statistically significant at a 5% level of significance which means there is no sufficient basis to conclude that there is an association between the factors with high risk for hypertension and T2DM. Looking at the characteristics of the participants, 74% were obese and more than half had no regular exercise; they may still be at risk for NCDs because being at non-high-risk does not eliminate risk completely. Conclusion: Policies or strategies regarding access to health centers for risk assessment should not be neglected even during a communicable disease pandemic because this may lead to a misreporting of high-risk individuals.
Lim et al. (2021) studied this question. Evaluated risk factors showed no statistically significant association with high risk for hypertension and diabetes among 77 patients, despite 19.48% being classified as high-risk.