Prevalence of Hypertension and Obesity among Emirati Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Hypertension and obesity are key risk factors for long-term complications associated with type 2 diabetes (type 2 DM). Previous studies have shown that the prevalence of hypertension and obesity is high in the United Arab of Emirates (UAE). However, none of these studies has focused on the investigation of hypertension and obesity in Emirati patients with type 2 DM. Methodology: The present study is a retrospective observational study which was conducted in Rashid Centre for Diabetes and Research (Ajman, UAE). Medical records for 510 diabetic Emirati patients were examined and 51 medical records were excluded due to incomplete or missing medical data. 459 medical records of Emirati patients with type 2 DM were filtered, examined and analyzed and the following variables were included in the investigation: anthropometric variables, diabetes type and duration, BMI, HbA1c, blood pressure and lipid profile. Results and conclusions: Findings of the present study have demonstrated that the prevalence of hypertension and obesity in Emirati patients with type 2 DM were 63% and 57%, respectively. Compared to non-hypertensive patients, hypertensive patients with type 2 DM were older and had higher levels of HbA1C and about 60% of the hypertensive patients were obese. A strong positive relationship between the systolic blood pressure and age and diabetes duration was observed whereas the diastolic blood pressure was negatively correlated with age and diabetes duration. The prevalence of hypertension and obesity among Emirati patients with type 2 DM was significantly high. Age and diabetes duration have opposite effects on systolic and diastolic blood pressure.