Hypertension prevalence and its associated risk factors in adults: a population-based study in Pelotas.
OBJECTIVE
To determine hypertension prevalence and its associated risk factors.


METHODS
A cross-sectional, population-based study of people ages 20 to 69 living in the urban area of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, was conducted. The dependent variable systemic hypertension was defined as blood pressure > or = 160 x 95 mm Hg (average of two readings) or current use of antihypertensive drugs.


RESULTS
Among the 1,968 subjects enrolled in the study, hypertension prevalence was 23.6% (95% CI 21.6 to 25.3). A Poisson regression model was used to control confounding factors effects. The following variables remained statistically significant in the final model: family income, age, skin color, gender, family history of hypertension, extra salt intake, and body mass index.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared with a similar study undertaken in 1992, hypertension prevalence increased, particularly in the younger groups.
da Costa
Juvenal Soares Dias
JS
Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos. jcosta@epidemio-ufpel.org.br
Barcellos
Franklin Correa
FC
Sclowitz
Marcelo Leal
ML
Sclowitz
Iândora Krolow Timm
IK
Castanheira
Marcelo
M
Olinto
Maria Teresa Anselmo
MT
Menezes
Ana Maria Baptista
AM
Gigante
Denise Petrucci
DP
Macedo
Silvia
S
Fuchs
Sandra Costa
SC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population