Prevalence, Treatment, and Associated Factors of Hypertension in Spain: A Comparative Study between Populations

Abstract

The prevalence and related factors of hypertensive subjects according to the resident area (rural versus urban) were investigated in two population-based studies from Spain. Medical questionnaires were administered and anthropometrics were measured, using standardized protocols. Hypertension was diagnosed in pharmacology treated subjects or those with blood pressure (BP) ≥140/90 mm Hg. Regarding BP control, it was defined as under control if BP was <140/90 or <140/85 mm Hg in type 2 diabetic subjects. Information on educational status, social class, smoking habit, and alcohol intake was obtained. 3,816 subjects (54.38 % women) were included. Prevalence of diagnosed hypertension was higher in women and showed no differences according to the living area (men: urban 21.88 versus rural 21.92 %, p = 0.986; women: urban 28.73 versus rural 30.01 %, p = 0.540). Women living in rural areas and men with secondary or tertiary education levels had a lower probability of being BP uncontrolled (OR (95 % CI): 0.501 (0.258-0.970)/p=0.040, 0.245 (0.092-0.654)/p=0.005, and 0.156 (0.044-0.549)/p=0.004, respectively). Urban young men (31-45 years) and medium aged women (46-60 years) were less BP controlled than their rural counterparts (41.30 versus 65.79 %/p=0.025 and 35.24 versus 53.27 %/p=0.002, respectively).

Figure 1

Prevalence of controlled blood pressure in hypertensive subjects according to the age group and living area. (∗) Overall age categories comparison p<.001 (+). Overall age categories comparison p=.004. Comparatives: 31 to 45 year-old urban versus rural men (41.30 versus 65.79 %, p=.025), 31 to 45 year-old urban versus rural women (64.00 versus 75.00 %, p=.263), 31 to 45 year-old urban versus rural subjects (53.13 versus 70.51 %, p=.019), 46 to 60 year-old urban versus rural men (42.45 versus 45.59 %, p=.684), 46 to 60 year-old urban versus rural women (35.24 versus 53.27 %, p=.002), 46 to 60 year-old urban versus rural subjects (37.66 versus 50.29 %, p=.002), 61 to 77 year-old urban versus rural men (42.22 versus 26.92 %, p=.113), 61 to 77 year-old urban versus rural women (28.89 versus 37.04 %, p=.257), 61 to 77 year-old urban versus rural subjects (33.33 versus 33.08 %, p=.965). Statistically significant values are highlighted in bold letters.