FREQUENT CO-OCCURRENCE OF HYPERTENSION WITH CARDIOMETABOLIC DISEASES IN PEOPLE AGED 60 AND OVER – THE SCALE OF THE PROBLEM IN POLAND

Objective: According to the PolSenior2 (PS2) study, hypertension (HT) affects 74.7% of the 60+ population. Patients with HT often have additional risk factors and cardiometabolic diseases (CMD), such as obesity (Obes), diabetes (DM), hypercholesterolemia (HCh), chronic kidney disease (CKD), coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke (Str), atrial fibrillation (AF), and heart failure (HF). We aim to assess the co-occurrence and prevalence of CMD in 60+ patients with HT in Poland. Design and method: PS2 is a nationwide cross-sectional health study of Poles conducted on a representative sample. Blood pressure (BP) measurements were taken three times during two visits; HT was diagnosed based on interview data, results of BP measurements >= 140/90 mmHg and/or taking antihypertensive medications. The presence of CMD in PS2 was defined based on: 1) interview data (CAD, Str, AF, HF); 2) interview data and laboratory tests (DM); 3) laboratory tests (CKD); 4) laboratory tests and pharmacotherapy (HCh); 5) anthropometric measurements (Obes). Results: Only one in twenty seniors (4.5%, CI: 3.5-5.4) had HT without concomitant CMD. In 28.5% (26.4-30.7) of patients with HT, one CMD was found, two CMDs in 29.9% (27.9-31.9), three in 17.5% (15.4-19.5), four in 10.0% (9.0-11.1), and five or more CMDs in 9.6% (8.3-10.9). The most common co-occurring conditions with HT were HCh - 79.2% (77.4-81.1), Obes – 43.9% (41.4-46.3), and DM – 28.4% (26.2-30.6); stroke was the least common – 9.2% (7.9-10.5). In 80+ patients with HT compared to the 60-79, CKD (47.9% vs 13.4%), CAD (32.3% vs 20.8%), AF (24.3% vs 12.5%), and HF (32.5% vs 14.7%) were significantly more prevalent. Fewer patients with Obes (36.8% vs 45.5%) and HCh (73.7% vs 80.5%) were observed. In 60+ women with HT, Obes (47.9% vs 38.4%) and HCh (82.1% vs 75.2%) were more common than in men, while CAD (19.9% vs 27.1%) and HF (15.7% vs 21.4%) were less common. Conclusions: In the senior population with HT, individuals with coexisting metabolic problems dominate, and with age, the prevalence of CMDs increases. In clinical practice, the assessment of the co-occurrence of HT and CMD should determine treatment and achievement of therapeutic goals.