Hypertension prevalence in Iran's elderly according to new criteria: the Tehran Geriatric Eye Study

Farid Fotouhi; Aida Shahidi; Hassan Hashemi; Mahshid Saffarpour; Abbasali Yekta; Roghayeh Esmaieli; Taraneh Esteki; Homayoon Bana Derakhshan; Mehdi Khabazkhoob

doi:10.1007/s40200-023-01272-8

Hypertension prevalence in Iran's elderly according to new criteria: the Tehran Geriatric Eye Study

J Diabetes Metab Disord. 2023 Aug 17;22(2):1489-1498. doi: 10.1007/s40200-023-01272-8. eCollection 2023 Dec.

Authors

Farid Fotouhi¹, Aida Shahidi², Hassan Hashemi², Mahshid Saffarpour³, Abbasali Yekta⁴, Roghayeh Esmaieli⁵, Taraneh Esteki⁶, Homayoon Bana Derakhshan⁷, Mehdi Khabazkhoob⁶

Affiliations

¹ Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
² Noor Research Center for Ophthalmic Epidemiology, Noor Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran.
³ Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.
⁴ Department of Optometry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
⁵ Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
⁶ Department of Anesthesiology and Operating Room, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
⁷ Department of Basic Sciences, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

PMID: 37975137
PMCID: PMC10638178 (available on 2024-08-17)
DOI: 10.1007/s40200-023-01272-8

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of hypertension in a population above 60 years of age and its relationship with demographic and anthropometric factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in 2019. Using a multistage random cluster sampling, 160 clusters were selected from 22 districts of Tehran. All participants were interviewed to collect demographic, anthropometric, and socioeconomic information. Then, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures were measured under standard conditions twice, 10 min apart. A third measurement was performed if the two measurements showed a difference of ≥ 10 mmHg in SBP or ≥ 5 mmHg in DBP. Hypertension was defined as a SBP > 130 mmHg or a DBP > 80 mmHg (new criteria), being a known case of hypertension, or use of blood pressure lowering medications.

Results: Of 3791 invitees, 3310 participated in the study (87.3%). The mean age of the participants was 68.25 ± 6.54 years (60-97 years). The prevalence of hypertension was 81.08% (95% CI: 79.57-82.59) in the whole sample; 82.96% (95% CI: 81.02-84.91) in females, and 79.15% (95% CI: 76.6 -81.69) in males. The prevalence of hypertension ranged from 75.47% (95% CI: 72.65-78.29) in the age group 60-64 years to 88.40% (95% CI: 83.71-93.08) in the age group ≥ 80 years. The prevalence of hypertension unawareness was 32.84% (95% CI: 30.82-34.86). The highest and lowest prevalence of hypertension was seen in illiterate subjects (89.41%) and those with a university education (77.14%), respectively. According to the multiple logistic regression analysis, older age, lower education level, obesity and overweight, neck circumference, and diabetes were significantly associated with the prevalence of hypertension.

Conclusion: A significant percentage of Iranian elderly have hypertension and one of every 3 affected individuals is unaware of their disease. Considering the population aging in Iran, urgent and special attention should be paid to the elderly population. Caring for the elderly, informing families, and using non-traditional screening methods are recommended by families at the first level and policymakers at the macro level.

Keywords: Cross-sectional study; Geriatrics; Hypertension; Iran.

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