Population-Level Analysis of Hypertension and Diabetes Comorbidity: Implications for Preventive Health

Abstract

This is a population-based study that explores dual comorbidity such as hypertension and diabetes and their implications concerning preventive health in different groups of the population.  The method adopted was a mixed-method in order to collect data on electronic medical, and community health surveys and clinical screening programs, which included both urban and rural individuals aged between 18 and 75 years.  The findings show that there is a strong and statistically significant relationship between high levels of fasting glucose levels and systolic and diastolic blood pressure with the comorbidity being most prevalent among individuals who were aged between 45 and 65.  Regression modeling showed that patients with underlying diabetes were more likely to develop uncontrolled hypertension 2.431.9 times and hypertensive individuals were more likely to develop towards impaired glucose tolerance 1.92.6 times.  It was also found that obesity (BMI>30), physical inactivity and poor socioeconomic status aggravated illness clustering. At home where access to preventive care was limited and where the dietary variety was poor, the total risk was nearly two times higher.  Subgroup analysis showed that comorbidity development was reduced by more than 32 percent with early screening and regular medication adherence over a three-year period and much lower in communities where preventive health programs were organized.  The paper highlights the urgent need of integrated primary care strategies, screening (risk-stratified) and lifestyle-based interventions to mitigate the aggregate burden of comorbidity of hypertension and diabetes on population health.