Short-term trends in the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of arterial hypertension in Peru

Physical exercise in hypertensive heart disease: From the differential diagnosis to the complementary role of exercise

Arterial hypertension (AH) is one of the most common pathologic conditions and uncontrolled AH is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality. AH chronically causes myocardial and arterial remodelling with hemodynamic changes affecting the heart and other organs, with potentially irreversible consequences leading to poor outcomes. Therefore, a proper and early treatment of AH is crucial after the diagnosis. Beyond medical treatment, physical exercise also plays a therapeutic role in reducing blood pressure, given its potential effects on sympathetic tone, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and endothelial function. International scientific societies recommend physical exercise among lifestyle modifications to treat AH in the first stages of the disease. Moreover, some studies have also shown its usefulness in addition to drugs to reduce blood pressure further. Therefore, an accurate, personalized exercise prescription is recommended to optimize the prevention and treatment of hypertension. On the other hand, uncontrolled AH in athletes requires proper risk stratification and careful evaluation to practice competitive sports safely. Moreover, the differential diagnosis between hypertensive heart disease and athlete's heart is sometimes challenging and requires a careful and comprehensive interpretation in order not to misinterpret the clinical findings. The present review aims to discuss the relationship between hypertensive heart disease and physical exercise, from diagnostic tools to prevention and treatment strategies.

Factors associated with poor adherence to medication in patients with diabetes and hypertension in Peru: findings from a pooled analysis of six years of population-based surveys

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the factors associated with poor medication adherence in patients with DM and HTN in Peru.

STUDY DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the Peruvian Demographic and Family Health Survey from 2014 to 2019. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and their respective 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated to determine the factors associated with poor medication adherence.

RESULTS

We included 15,184 participants with a known diagnosis of DM and HTN. The frequency of poor medication adherence was 37.1%, with 36.7% among individuals with HTN and 29.2% among individuals with DM. Those belonging to age groups above 30 years (aPR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.74-0.80, for the group ≥ 60 years) had a lower frequency of poor medication adherence. Meanwhile, being male (aPR: 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01-1.05), lacking health insurance (aPR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.05-1.10), belonging to lower wealth quintiles (aPR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.08-1.17, for the first quintile), and living in the mountain region (aPR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.06-1.12) were associated with a higher frequency of poor medication adherence. These findings were consistent when stratifying by the type of disease.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that poor medication adherence is common in patients with HTN and DM in Peru and is associated with sociodemographic factors, highlighting the importance of public health approaches to improve adherence.

Hypertension subtypes at high altitude in Peru: Analysis of the Demographic and Family Health Survey 2016-2019

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of hypertension in Peru has increased over the years. Approximately one third of the Peruvian population lives at high altitudes. This population presents particular physiological, genetic and environmental characteristics that could be related to the prevalence of hypertension and its subtypes.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between altitude and hypertension in the Peruvian population through an analysis of a nationally representative survey.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the Demographic and Family Health Survey for the period 2016-2019. We included 122,336 individuals aged 18 years and older. Hypertension was defined according to the JNC-7 guidelines. High-altitude location was defined as a residential cluster located above 2,500 meters above sea level. We utilized generalized linear models from the Poisson family with a log-link function to assess the magnitude of the association between high altitude and hypertension. Additionally, we employed multinomial regression models to analyze the association between high altitude and subtypes of hypertension, including isolated systolic hypertension (ISH), isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH), and systolic-diastolic hypertension (SDH).

RESULTS

In the adjusted Poisson regression model, we found that the prevalence of hypertension among participants living at high altitudes was lower compared to those living at low altitudes (aPR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.86-0.93). In the adjusted multinomial regression model, we observed a lower prevalence rate of ISH among participants residing at high altitudes (aRPR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.61-0.73) and a higher prevalence rate of IDH among participants residing at high altitudes (aRPR: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.32-1.94).

CONCLUSIONS

Residents at high altitudes in Peru have a lower prevalence rate of ISH and a higher prevalence rate of IDH compared to those living at low altitudes. Further studies are needed to determine the influence of other biological, environmental, and healthcare access factors on this relationship.

Prevalence and risk factors of hypertension among adolescents living in Ghana

This study assessed the prevalence of and risk factors for hypertension among adolescents in two selected districts in Ghana. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 24. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the risk factors of hypertension among adolescents. The overall prevalence of high blood pressure (BP) was 11.6%. The non-modifiable risk factors that predicted high BP were district of residence (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.328, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.328-0.203), age (AOR = 1.540, 95%CI = 1.240-1.913), relationship status (AOR = 1.960 95%CI = 1.059-3.628) and possessing a phone (AOR = 0.538, 95%CI = 0.325-0.890). The modifiable risk factors that predicted high BP were high BMI, not checking BP regularly, and not having an awareness of salt intake. In accordance with these results, prevention programs must focus on adolescent knowledge, lifestyle practices, and attitudes toward control measures. It is important to incorporate health education in school curricula to promote a healthy lifestyle and limit the risks associated with high BP.

Prevalence, trends, and factors associated with hypertensive crisis among Peruvian adults

There are few studies focused on the epidemiology of hypertensive crisis at the population level in resource-constrained settings. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and trends over time of hypertensive crisis, as well as the factors associated with this condition among adults. A secondary data analysis was carried out using the Peruvian Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES). Hypertensive crisis was defined based on the presence of systolic (≥ 180mmHg) or diastolic (≥ 110mmHg) blood pressure, regardless of previous diagnosis or medication use. The factors associated with our outcome were evaluated using multinomial logistic regression, and the trend of hypertensive crisis was evaluated using the Cochrane-Armitage test. Data from 260,167 participants were analyzed, with a mean age of 44.2 (SD: 16.9) years and 55.5% were women. Hypertension prevalence was 23% (95%CI: 22.7-23.4) and, among them, 5.7% (95%CI: 5.4-5.9) had hypertensive crisis, with an overall prevalence of 1.5% (95%CI: 1.4-1.6). From 2014 to 2022, a significant decrease in the prevalence of hypertensive crisis was observed, from 1.7% in 2014 to 1.4% in 2022 (p = 0.001). In the multivariable model, males, increasing age, living in urban areas, high body mass index, and self-reported type 2 diabetes were positively associated with hypertensive crisis, whereas higher educational level, socioeconomic status, and high altitude were inversely associated. There is a need to improve strategies for the diagnosis, treatment, and control of hypertension, especially hypertensive crisis.

Hypertension effects of the COVID-19 lockdowns: Evidence from a repeated cross-sectional survey in Peru

Using data from Peru and a quasi-experimental approach, we document significant increases in arterial blood pressure and in the incidence of arterial hypertension caused by the restrictive measures employed by the Peruvian authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The effects are more pronounced for women, older respondents, and urban residents. The effects are statistically significant and high in magnitude relative to the pre-pandemic incidence of disease in the Peruvian population. A main channel of disease propagation seems to be the changes in dietary habits and physical activity imposed by the COVID-19 lockdowns, which affected several anthropometric measurements that are common risk factors for hypertension.

Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of high blood pressure in a cohort in Northern Andean Peru

BACKGROUND

Gaps exist along the high blood pressure (HBP) diagnosis-treatment-control pathway in high, low and middle-income countries.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of HBP and to describe the levels of awareness, control and treatment of HBP in the rural Peruvian Andes.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study is embedded into a multigenerational cohort. We analysed data of all adult participants aged ≥ 30 years (n = 2752) who answered a baseline health and lifestyle questionnaire and underwent a physical examination, which included three blood pressure readings. HBP was defined as measured systolic or diastolic blood pressure (BP) ≥140 and/or 90 mm Hg and/or self-reported physician-diagnosed hypertension and/or self-reported antihypertensive intake. The determinants of the prevalence of HBP, unawareness of HBP and uncontrolled HBP were assessed using mixed-effect logistic regressions.

RESULTS

HBP was present in 18.9% of the participants. Of those with measured HBP, 72.2% were unaware of their HBP. Among those with a diagnosed or medically treated hypertension, 58.4% had uncontrolled HBP. The prevalence of HBP was higher in women (OR: 1.12, CI: 1.02-1.24), increased with age (OR: 1.01, CI: 1.01-1.01) and the presence of family history of hypertension (OR: 1.15, CI: 1.08-1.24), and decreased with healthier lifestyle score (OR: 0.93, CI: 0.91-0.95). Unawareness of HBP was lower among women (OR: 0.56, CI: 0.38-0.83), higher among participants living over 3000 m Above Sea Level (OR: 1.15, CI: 1.03-1.27) and decreased with age (OR: 0.99, CI: 0.98-0.99).

CONCLUSIONS

Unawareness of HBP was high, few HTN patients received treatment and BP remained high in the presence of antihypertensive treatment.

Implementation of a salt substitute intervention using social marketing in resourced-limited communities in Peru: a process evaluation study

Objective

This study aimed to conduct a process evaluation of a salt substitute trial conducted in Peru.

Methods

Through semi-structured interviews of intervention participants, we documented and analyzed process evaluation variables as defined by the Medical Research Council Framework. This study was a stepped wedge trial conducted in Tumbes, Peru in 2014. The intervention was a community-wide replacement of regular salt (100% sodium) with "Salt Liz" (75% sodium and 25% potassium) using social marketing strategies to promote the adoption and continued use of the salt substitute in daily life. The components of the social marketing campaign included entertainment educational activities and local product promoters ("Amigas de Liz"). Another component of the intervention was the Salt Liz spoon to help guide the amount of salt that families should consume. The process evaluation variables measured were the context, mechanism of action, and implementation outcomes (acceptability, fidelity and adoption, perceptions, and feedback).

Results

In total, 60 women were interviewed, 20 with hypertension and 40 without hypertension. Regarding context, common characteristics across the four villages included residents who primarily ate their meals at home and women who were responsible for household food preparation. As the mechanism of action, most participants did not notice a difference in the flavor between regular salt and Salt Liz; those that did notice a difference took around 2 weeks to become accustomed to the taste of the salt substitute. In terms of implementation outcomes, the Salt Liz was accepted by villagers and factors explaining this acceptability included that it was perceived as a "high quality" salt and as having a positive effect on one's health. Participants recognized that the Salt Liz is healthier than regular salt and that it can help prevent or control hypertension. However, most participants could not accurately recall how the compositions of the Salt Liz and regular salt differed and the role they play in hypertension. Although the use of the Salt Liz was far-reaching at the community level, the use of the Salt Liz spoon was poor. Educational entertainment activities were well-received, and most participants enjoyed them despite not always being active participants but rather sideline observers.

Conclusion

This process evaluation identifies key intervention components that enabled a successful trial. Seeking and incorporating feedback from the target population helps deepen the understanding of contextual factors that influence an intervention's success. Furthermore, feedback received can aid the development of the intervention product. Some factors that can be improved for future interventions are acknowledged.

Clinical trial registration

NCT01960972.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Home Telemonitoring of Blood Pressure with an Adapted Tensiometer with SMS Capability

Despite being a public health problem, less than a third of hypertensive patients manage to control blood pressure (BP). In this paper, we conducted a two-arm randomized controlled trial to investigate the efficacy of an SMS-based home BP telemonitoring system compared to usual care in patients with uncontrolled hypertension from a primary care center. This study was conducted between April and August 2018. Participants in the intervention arm used a custom-designed telemonitoring device for two weeks and were followed up for two additional weeks; controls were followed for 4 weeks. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the impact on blood pressure of a telemonitoring system using a blood pressure monitor adapted to send data via SMS to health providers in primary care centers for 4 weeks. In this trial, 38 patients were included in the analysis (18 in each arm), 68% were women, and the mean age was 68.1 [SD: 10.8 years], with no differences between arms. Among the results we found was that There was no significant difference in the change in systolic BP values between the control and intervention arm (-7.2 [14.9] mmHg vs. -16.3 [16.7] mmHg; p = 0.09). However, we found a significant difference in the change of diastolic BP (-1.2 [6.4] mmHg vs. -7.2 [9.8] mmHg; for the control and intervention arms, respectively p = 0.03). With all this, we conclude that an SMS-based home BP telemonitoring system is effective in reducing diastolic BP by working in conjunction with primary care centers. Our findings represent one of the first interventions of this type in our environment, being an important alternative for the control of high blood pressure.

Addressing the diagnostic gap in hypertension through possible interventions and scale-up: A microsimulation study

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality globally with almost a third of all annual deaths worldwide. Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are disproportionately highly affected covering 80% of these deaths. For CVD, hypertension (HTN) is the leading modifiable risk factor. The comparative impact of diagnostic interventions that improve either the accuracy, the reach, or the completion of HTN screening in comparison to the current standard of care has not been estimated.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

This microsimulation study estimated the impact on HTN-induced morbidity and mortality in LMICs for four different scenarios: (S1) lower HTN diagnostic accuracy; (S2) improved HTN diagnostic accuracy; (S3) better implementation strategies to reach more persons with existing tools; and, lastly, (S4) the wider use of easy-to-use tools, such as validated, automated digital blood pressure measurement devices to enhance screening completion, in comparison to the current standard of care (S0). Our hypothetical population was parametrized using nationally representative, individual-level HPACC data and the global burden of disease data. The prevalence of HTN in the population was 31% out of which 60% remained undiagnosed. We investigated how the alteration of a yearly blood pressure screening event impacts morbidity and mortality in the population over a period of 10 years. The study showed that while improving test accuracy avoids 0.6% of HTN-induced deaths over 10 years (13,856,507 [9,382,742; 17,395,833]), almost 40 million (39,650,363 [31,34,233, 49,298,921], i.e., 12.7% [9.9, 15.8]) of the HTN-induced deaths could be prevented by increasing coverage and completion of a screening event in the same time frame. Doubling the coverage only would still prevent 3,304,212 million ([2,274,664; 4,164,180], 12.1% [8.3, 15.2]) CVD events 10 years after the rollout of the program. Our study is limited by the scarce data available on HTN and CVD from LMICs. We had to pool some parameters across stratification groups, and additional information, such as dietary habits, lifestyle choice, or the blood pressure evolution, could not be considered. Nevertheless, the microsimulation enabled us to include substantial heterogeneity and stochasticity toward the different income groups and personal CVD risk scores in the model.

CONCLUSIONS

While it is important to consider investing in newer diagnostics for blood pressure testing to continuously improve ease of use and accuracy, more emphasis should be placed on screening completion.

Prevalence of hypertension and possible risk factors of hypertension unawareness among individuals aged 30-75 years from two Panamanian provinces: Results from population-based cross-sectional studies, 2010 and 2019

BACKGROUND

Recent estimates of hypertension in Panama remain unknown. We aim to describe the variation in prevalence and unawareness of hypertension in two Panamanian provinces using two different cross-sectional population-based studies and to investigate risk factors associated with hypertension unawareness.

METHODS

Data were derived from a sub-national study conducted in the provinces of Panama and Colon (PREFREC-2010 [2,733 participants]) and from a nationally representative study (ENSPA-2019), in which we restricted our analyses to the same provinces (4,653 participants). Individuals aged 30-75 years who had (a) self-reported history of hypertension or (b) blood pressure (BP) ≥140/90mmHg or (c) a combination or both were classified as hypertensive. Participants with BP≥140/90mmHg who denied a history of hypertension were considered unaware of the condition. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between risk factors and unawareness, expressed as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

FINDINGS

In 2010, the prevalence and unawareness of hypertension in men were 51.6% (95% CI: 45.7-57.5) and 32.3% (25.4-40.1), respectively, and in women 46.0% (42.1-49.9) and 16.1% (12.6-20.4), respectively. In 2019, the prevalence and unawareness of hypertension in men were 46.5% (42.1-51.0) and 52.3% (45.9-58.6), and in women 42.1% (39.6-44.7) and 33.3% (29.8-37.0). Men (2010 and 2019), age <50 years (2010 and 2019), having no/primary education (2010), and living in a non-urban region (2019) were positively associated with hypertension unawareness, whereas obesity (2010), physical inactivity (2010), family history of hypertension (2019), and BP assessment in the year before study enrollment (2010 and 2019) were inversely associated with hypertension unawareness.

INTERPRETATION

Benefits of a decrease in the prevalence of hypertension are being undermined by an increase in hypertension unawareness. Actions should be encouraged to strengthen the implementation of the existing healthcare program for cardiovascular risk factor control.

Prevalence of Prehypertension and Associated Cardiovascular Risk Profiles among Adults in Peru: Findings from a Nationwide Population-Based Study

Prehypertension is a clinical condition that increases the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. In South American countries, prehypertension affects almost one-third of the population. The aim of the present study was to determine the association between prehypertension and the main cardiometabolic risk factors according to the US National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III by sex in the Peruvian population. A total of 863 participants surveyed were included in the study. A total of 21.1% had prehypertension, 14.4% of whom were female, and 30.5% were male. Women belonging to the age group 50–59 years, having abdominal obesity and being a current smoker, were more likely to have prehypertension, while the likelihood of having prehypertension increased in men with abdominal obesity. Three out of 10 men and one out of 10 women in Peru have prehypertension. In women, being 50 to 59 years of age, having abdominal obesity, and being a current smoker, increased the probability of having prehypertension, whereas, in men, only abdominal obesity was found to be associated with prehypertension. Our findings will allow the development of prevention strategies focused on the appropriate diagnosis of prehypertension and cardiometabolic risk factors according to sex.

Peru - Progress in health and sciences in 200 years of independence

Peru celebrates 200 years of independence in 2021. Over this period of independent life, and despite the turbulent socio-political scenarios, from internal armed conflict to economic crisis to political instability over the last 40 years, Peru has experienced major changes on its epidemiological and population health profile. Major advancements in maternal and child health as well as in communicable diseases have been achieved in recent decades, and today Peru faces an increasing burden of non-communicable diseases including mental health conditions. In terms of the configuration of the public health system, Peru has also strived to secure country-wide optimal health care, struggling in particular to improve primary health care and intercultural services. The science and technology infrastructure has also evolved, although the need for substantial investments remains if advancing science is to be a national priority. Climate change will also bring significant challenges to population health given Peru's geographical and microclimates diversity. Looking back over the 200-years of independence, we present a summary of key advances in selected health-related fields, thus serving as the basis for reflections on pending agendas and future challenges, in order to look forward to ensuring the future health and wellbeing of the Peruvian population.

Resumen translated abstract

El Perú cumple 200 años de independencia en 2021. Durante estos dos siglos de vida independiente, junto con periodos sociales y políticos turbulentos, incluyendo un conflicto armado interno, hiperinflación y la inestabilidad política de los últimos 40 años, el Perú ha experimentado importantes cambios en su perfil epidemiológico con repercusiones directas en la salud de la población. En las últimas décadas, los indicadores de salud materno-infantil y de las enfermedades transmisibles muestran mejoría importante, pero el país se enfrenta de manera simultánea a una carga cada vez mayor de enfermedades no transmisibles y de salud mental. En cuanto a los sistemas de salud pública, se han realizado esfuerzos por aumentar la cobertura y calidad de la atención de salud en todo el país, apostándose en particular por mejorar la atención primaria. La ciencia y tecnología relacionadas con la salud también han mejorado, aunque si se quiere que la ciencia sea una prioridad nacional, son necesarias inversiones sustanciales. El cambio climático traerá importantes desafíos para la salud de la población, dada la diversidad geográfica y de microclimas del país. Para conmemorar los 200 años de vida independiente del Perú, presentamos un resumen de avances clave en diversas áreas y temas relacionados con la salud. Este repaso sirve como base para reflexionar sobre agendas y desafíos pendientes y futuros, con el fin de asegurar la salud y el bienestar de la población peruana en las próximas décadas.

Prevalence and predictive risk factors of hypertension in patients hospitalized in Kamenge Military hospital and Kamenge University teaching hospital in 2019: A fixed effect modelling study in Burundi

INTRODUCTION

Hypertension is a major threat to public health globally. Especially in sub-Saharan African countries, this coexists with high burden of other infectious diseases, creating a complex public health situation which is difficult to address. Tackling this will require targeted public health intervention based on evidence that well defines the at risk population. In this study, using retrospective data from two referral hospitals in Burundi, we model the risk factors of hypertension in Burundi.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective data of a sample of 353 randomly selected from a population of 4,380 patients admitted in 2019 in two referral hospitals in Burundi: Military and University teaching hospital of Kamenge. The predictive risk factors were carried out by fixed effect logistic regression. Model performance was assessed with Area under Curve (AUC) method. Model was internally validated using bootstrapping method with 2000 replications. Both data processing and data analysis were done using R software.

RESULTS

Overall, 16.7% of the patients were found to be hypertensive. This study didn't showed any significant difference of hypertension's prevalences among women (16%) and men (17.7%). After adjustment of the model for cofounding covariates, associated risk factors found were advanced age (40-59 years) and above 60 years, high education level, chronic kidney failure, high body mass index, familial history of hypertension. In absence of these highlighted risk factors, the risk of hypertension occurrence was about 2 per 1000 persons. This probability is more than 90% in patients with more than three risk factors.

CONCLUSION

The relatively high prevalence and associated risk factors of hypertension in Burundi raises a call for concern especially in this context where there exist an equally high burden of infectious diseases, other chronic diseases including chronic malnutrition. Targeting interventions based on these identified risk factors will allow judicious channel of resources and effective public health planning.

Second-hand smoking, hypertension and cardiovascular risk: findings from Peru

Background

Second-hand smoking has not been detailedly studied in Peru, where smoking is prohibited in all indoor workplaces, public places, and public transportation. Second-hand smoke exposure may occur at home or any other places. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of second-hand smoking and assess its association with hypertension and cardiovascular risk in Peru.

Materials and methods

Secondary analysis of a nationally-representative population-based survey including individuals aged 18–59 years. There were two outcomes: hypertension and 10-year cardiovascular risk using the Framingham and the 2019 World Health Organization (WHO) risk scores. The exposure was self-reported second-hand smoking during the 7 days before the survey. The association between second-hand smoking and hypertension was quantified with Poisson models reporting prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI); the association between second-hand smoking and cardiovascular risk was quantified with linear regressions reporting coefficients and their 95% CI.

Results

Data from 897 individuals, mean age: 38.2 (SD: 11.8) years, and 499 (55.7%) females, were analyzed, with 8.7% subjects reporting second-hand smoking at home and 8.3% at work or any other place. Thus, 144 (15.5%; 95% CI: 12.8%-18.6%) subjects reported any second-hand smoking. In multivariable model second-hand smoking was associated with hypertension (PR = 2.42; 95% CI: 1.25–4.67), and with 1.2% higher Framingham cardiovascular risk, and 0.2% higher 2019 WHO risk score.

Conclusions

There is an association between second-hand smoking and hypertension as well as with cardiovascular risk, and 15% of adults reported second-hand smoke exposure overall with half of them exposed at home. There is a need to guarantee smoking-free places to reduce cardiovascular risk.

Association between body mass index and blood pressure levels across socio-demographic groups and geographical settings: analysis of pooled data in Peru

Background

Understanding the relationship between BMI and blood pressure requires assessing whether this association is similar or differs across population groups. This study aimed to assess the association between body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure levels, and how these associations vary between socioeconomic groups and geographical settings.

Methods

Data from the National Demographic Health Survey of Peru from 2014 to 2019 was analyzed considering the complex survey design. The outcomes were levels of systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and the exposure was BMI. Exposure and outcomes were fitted as continuous variables in a non-linear quadratic regression model. We explored effect modification by six socioeconomic and geographical variables (sex, age, education level, socioeconomic position, study area, and altitude), fitting an interaction term between each of these variables and BMI.

Results

Data from 159, 940 subjects, mean age 44.4 (SD: 17.1), 54.6% females, was analyzed. A third (34.0%) of individuals had ≥12 years of education, 24.7% were from rural areas, and 23.7% lived in areas located over 2,500 m above sea level. In the overall sample mean BMI was 27.1 (SD: 4.6) kg/m², and mean SBP and DBP were 122.5 (SD: 17.2) and 72.3 (SD: 9.8) mmHg, respectively. In the multivariable models, greater BMI levels were associated with higher SBP (p-value < 0.001) and DBP (p-value < 0.001). There was strong evidence that sex, age, education level, and altitude were effect modifiers of the association between BMI and both SBP and DBP. In addition to these socio-demographic variables, socioeconomic position and study area were also effect modifiers of the association between BMI and DBP, but not SBP.

Conclusions

The association between BMI and levels of blood pressure is not uniform on a range of socio-demographic and geographical population groups. This characterization can inform the understanding of the epidemiology and rise of blood pressure in a diversity of low-resource settings.