A preliminary analysis of blood pressure and blood glucose compared to socioeconomic class and education in Maharashtra, India

Document Type

Poster Presentation

Publication Date

4-21-2024

Keywords

fsc2024

Abstract

Background/Objective(s): As two of the main causes of premature death worldwide, the rising incidence of hypertension and diabetes continue to be a concern in India. Risk factors for developing these chronic diseases are related to social determinants of health, including income and education level. The objectives of this study were to 1) describe the prevalence of increased blood pressure (BP) and blood glucose (BG) readings among a sample of adults in Pune and Daund, India and 2) to compare BP and BG readings to income and education levels.

Methods: Patients at least 25 years of age were evaluated for signs of hypertension and those at least 40 years of age were also evaluated for signs of diabetes during a week-long annual medical camp in Pune and Daund, India. Patient data was recorded and evaluated in accordance with the current guidelines; blood pressure readings were categorized based on 2017 ACC/AHA hypertension guidelines (not elevated, stage 1, stage 2), and the random blood glucose readings were categorized based on the 2023 ADA diabetes guidelines (< 200 mg/dL or ≥200 mg/dL). Patients reported their age, sex, household income, and education. Household income was categorized as destitute, aspirer, middle class, and rich. Education was categorized as none, standards 1-5, 6-8, 9-12, and university. This study is based on a convenience sample of patients attending the medical camp and meeting age requirements. Descriptive statistics, including measures of central tendency and dispersion were used to summarize all demographic and outcome variables. BP and BG outcomes were compared to demographic and socioeconomic factors; tests used included Chi-square, Fisher's Exact, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis, as appropriate.

Results: Data is reported on 479 patients, resulting in patients of approximately 50 years of age (IQR: 40-62) and the majority screened were male (57.6%). Self reported income indicated nearly all patients were either destitute (54.7%) or aspirer (42.1%). Most patients had high school education (std 9-12) or higher (70.0%). Of the 457 patients screened for BP, 315 (68.9%) were found to have increased BP; 126 (27.6%) were categorized into Stage 1 and 189 (41.4%) categorized into Stage 2 hypertensive categories. Those who were older and male were more likely to have increased BP (p=< 0.001 for each); education and income socioeconomic levels were not associated with increased BP. Among patients screened for BG (n=365), 58 (15.9%) were found to have increased BG levels of at least 200 mg/dL. No demographic or socioeconomic factors were associated with increased BG. Among the two locations, 261 in Pune (54.5%) and 217 in Daund (45.4%), more individuals in Daund had increased BP (74.4%) compared to those in Pune (64.8%), p=0.028; there were no differences in increased BG (p=0.901) between locations.

Implications/Conclusions: The rise in hypertension and diabetes continue to be issues of great concern within healthcare in India. Preliminary findings from this study indicate a higher prevalence of increased BP and increased BG than other areas worldwide. Moreover, increased BP varied among demographic socioeconomic factors including location, sex and age. These results highlight the need for continued education and screening amongst individuals of all demographic, socioeconomic, and education classes to combat these disease states.

Comments

Student poster presented at the 2024 Fisher Showcase, St. John Fisher University, April 21, 2024.

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