Prevalence of Hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus among Patients with Metabolic Syndrome in Rural Southern Nigeria: Gender and Age Disparities.

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of interconnected risk factors, including obesity, hypertension, elevated blood sugar, and abnormal lipid profiles. Its increasing prevalence globally poses a significant public health concern. This study investigated the prevalence of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in patients with MetS, considering age and gender in a rural teaching hospital.

METHODOLOGY

Conducted at Igbinedion University Teaching Hospital, Edo State, the study involved 75 patients selected through simple random sampling using the 2009 Joint Interim Statement (JIS) criteria of the IDF/AHA/NHLBI. It utilised an observational, cross-sectional, and retrospective design, focusing on individuals aged 18 years and older who consented to participate. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS version 23, with p < 0.05 considered significant.

RESULTS

The findings indicated that 60% of patients with MetS had hypertension, 17.3% had T2DM, and 22.7% were diagnosed with both conditions. Among hypertensive patients, 57.3% were female (P = 0.110). For T2DM, 25.3% of patients were female (P = 0.766). The prevalence of both T2DM (P = 0.106) and hypertension (P = 0.708) was higher in middle-aged patients compared to other age groups.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the significant prevalence of hypertension and T2DM among patients with MetS in a rural teaching hospital, with notable variations across gender and age groups. While hypertension was more common in females, T2DM showed no significant gender disparity. Middle-aged individuals exhibited a higher prevalence of both conditions, underscoring the need for targeted screening and intervention strategies in this demographic.