Abstract

Hypertension is a common comorbid condition in diabetes, affecting 20–60% of patients,
depending on obesity, ethnicity, and age. Adults with diabetes have a two to threefold higher
rate of cardiovascular disease (CVD) than adults without diabetes. The purpose of this study
was to look at blood pressure (BP) control and predictors in hypertensive diabetic patients
who were being followed up on at Kampala International University Teaching Hospital (KIU –
TH) in Ishaka, Bushenyi. A cross-sectional study was carried out in KIU – TH among
hypertensive adult patients comorbid with diabetes who had been taking antihypertensive
drugs for at least a year. There were both bivariate and multivariate analyses performed.
Using multivariable logistic regression analysis, the +e odds ratio and 95 percent confidence
level were calculated to identify factors associated with uncontrolled BP. The level of
statistical significance was set at 0.05 p value. After explaining the purpose and procedures
of the study, the patient provided written informed consent. This study included a total of
186 study participants. The participants' average age was 51.2 12.2 years. Blood pressure
and blood glucose levels were under control in 104 (55.9%) and 106 (57.0%) of study
participants, respectively. Age 60 years (AOR = 4.537, 95 percent CI = 1.142–18.024, p =
0.032), duration with hypertension 5 years (AOR = 3.534, 95 percent CI = 1.062–11.760, p =
0.040), cigarette smoking (AOR = 7.697, 95 percent CI = 2.356–25.146, p = 0.001), nonadherence
(AOR = 6.584, 95 percent CI = 2.337. In the current study, BP was better controlled
among hypertensive diabetic patients than in previous studies. Uncontrolled BP was
predicted by older age, longer duration of hypertension, cigarette smoking, non-adherence,
and uncontrolled glycaemia. thus, interventions on modifiable factors should be
implemented to improve BP control in diabetic patients