Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension among residents in Guangdong Province, China, 2004 to 2007.

BACKGROUND

As a result of the large variation in geographic, demographic, and socioeconomic characteristics in different regions of China, the prevalence and treatment of hypertension in different regions differ widely. However, little is known about the recent trends of hypertension in Guangdong Province in southern China. We assessed the trends in prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in Guangdong Province between 2004 and 2007.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The Guangdong Provincial Chronic Disease Risk Factor Surveillance, modeled on the national Chronic Disease Risk Factor Surveillance, was conducted every 3 years beginning in 2004 with a representative sample of Guangdong Province residents ≥18 years of age. Data from the Guangdong Provincial Chronic Disease Risk Factor Surveillance I (2004; n=7633) and II (2007; n=6447) were used to describe the trends in the prevalence of hypertension among Guangdong Province adults. Hypertension outcomes were examined with interview and examination data. From 2004 to 2007, the age-standardized prevalence rate of hypertension in Guangdong Province residents increased from 12.2% to 15.4% (P<0.001), with the largest increases among rural women (from 9.3% to 19.1%; P<0.001). Among hypertensive people, there was no improvement in awareness and treatment between 2004 and 2007; the control rates decreased from 7.1% in 2004 to 4.5% in 2007 (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

One in 7 Guangdong Province adults is hypertensive, but only one quarter are aware of the condition. About 22% of hypertensive patients receive treatment, and few have their hypertension effectively controlled. Hypertension has become a major public health problem in southern China. Comprehensive public health measures need to be taken to decrease the incidence of hypertension and to prevent the progression of hypertension to cardiovascular disease.