Epidemiology of hypertension among patients with type 2 diabetes in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a common comorbidity among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and is associated with poorer treatment outcomes.

Aim: To describe the epidemiology of hypertension among patients with T2D in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Setting: A multisite study among 20 randomly selected health facilities in Kinshasa.

Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study among 620 participants with T2D. The overall prevalence of hypertension and uncontrolled hypertension was determined. Multivariable mixed effects logistic regression determined factors associated with hypertension and hypertension control among participants with T2D.

Results: One-third (34.7%) of study participants were classified as having hypertension. The factors associated with hypertension were unemployment (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.93, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18–3.17), overweight (aOR = 2.71; 95% CI: 1.78–4.13), diabetes duration ≥ 5 years (aOR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.24–2.73), protestant religion (aOR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.29–0.82) and severe diabetes distress (aOR = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.28–0.79). The prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension among participants with diabetes-hypertension comorbidity was 50.2%. Being overweight was associated with uncontrolled hypertension (aOR = 2.02; 95% CI: 1.08–3.79).

Conclusion: Hypertension was common among patients with T2D in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and in most patients it was uncontrolled. There is a need to strengthen the hypertension prevention and control strategies among patients with T2D, including lifestyle modifications to maintain optimal body weight.

Contribution: This study provides insight into the diabetes-hypertension comorbidity in an African urban setting.