High Rates of Undiagnosed Target Organ Damage Among Adults with Elevated Blood Pressure or Diabetes Mellitus in a Community-Based Survey in Lesotho

Overview

Journal J Epidemiol Glob Health

Publisher Springer

Date 2023 Oct 26

PMID 37883005

Authors

Emmanuel Firima

Lucia Gonzalez

Moazziz Ali Khan

Molulela Manthabiseng

Mamorontssane P Sematle

Matumaole Bane

Makhebe Khomolishoele

Ikhetheleng Leisa

Lefokotsane Retselisitsoe

Thilo Burkard

Eleonara Seelig

Tristan Lee

Frederique Chammartin

Ravi Gupta

Bailah Leigh

Maja Weisser

Alain Amstutz

Niklaus Daniel Labhardt

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: Prevalence of elevated blood pressure (BP) and diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa. Data on target organ damage such as retinopathy, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), renal impairment and peripheral neuropathy (PN) among persons with elevated BP and/or DM in sub-Saharan Africa remain scarce.

Aim: To determine at community-level the prevalence of retinopathy, LVH, renal impairment, and PN among adults with elevated BP and/or DM, and assess the association of elevated BP and/or DM with target organ damage in Lesotho.

Methods: During a household-based survey, a sub-sample of adults with elevated BP (≥ 140/90 mmHg) and/or DM (glycosylated hemoglobin ≥ 6.5%), as well as comparators (BP < 140/90 mmHg, HbA1c < 6.5%) were screened for retinopathy, LVH, renal impairment, and PN. We used multivariable logistic regression for inferential analysis.

Results: Out of 6108 participants screened during the survey, 420 with elevated BP only, 80 with DM only, 61 with elevated BP and DM, and 360 comparators were assessed for target organ damage. Among those with elevated BP, and among those with DM with or without elevated BP, prevalence of retinopathy was 34.6% (89/257) and 14.4% (15/104); renal impairment was 45.0% (156/347) and 42.4% (56/132), respectively. Among those with elevated BP, 2.3% (7/300) and 65.7% (224/341) had LVH and left ventricular concentric remodeling, respectively. PN, only assessed among those with DM, was present in 32.6% (42/129). Elevated BP was associated with increased odds of retinopathy (aOR, 19.13; 95% CI, 8.52-42.94; P < 0.001) and renal impairment (aOR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.27-2.55; P = 0.001). Presence of both elevated BP and DM was associated with an increased odds of retinopathy (aOR, 16.30; 95%CI, 5.69-46.68; P < 0.001), renal impairment (aOR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.35-4.81; P = 0.004), and PN (aOR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.04-4.38; P = 0.040).

Conclusion: We found a high prevalence of undiagnosed target organ damage among adults with elevated BP and/or DM during community-based screening. These findings emphasize the importance of regular prevention and screening activities in this setting.

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