Community-based screening for pre-hypertension among military active duty personnel

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of both pre-hypertension and hypertension, and risk factors associated with the newly diagnosed Saudi military active duty personnel.

METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional screening of 1238 Saudi military active duty service personnel was conducted during the period from September to December 2007 at the military units of Taif region, western Saudi Arabia. Screening tools included self-administrated questionnaire, general physical examination, anthropometric measurements, and assessment of blood pressure.

RESULTS: All participants were Saudi males. Their age ranged from ±7.02. By applying the Joint National Committee on prevention, detection, evaluation, and treatment of high hypertension criteria, 214 (17.3%) were considered pre-hypertensive. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that obesity as measured by body mass index [odds ratio (OR)=2.71, confidence interval (CI): 1.39-5.28], positive family history (OR=1.46, CI: 1.03-2.06), ever smoking (OR=1.45, CI: 1.05-2.02), and increased waist circumference (OR=1.04, CI: 1.02-1.06) were the significant predictors of hypertension among military active duty personnel.

CONCLUSION: Pre-hypertension is a common hidden problem and it predicts the development of frank hypertension. Findings of the current study support the recommendation of lifestyle modification for pre-hypertension patients. However, further prospective studies are required to determine the role of pharmacotherapy in pre-hypertension.