title: Hypertension prevalence and its associated risk factors in adults: a population-based study in Pelotas.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos. jcosta@epidemio-ufpel.org.br
authors.forename: Juvenal Soares Dias
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: da Costa
authors.forename: Franklin Correa
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Barcellos
authors.forename: Marcelo Leal
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Sclowitz
authors.forename: Iândora Krolow Timm
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Sclowitz
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Castanheira
authors.forename: Maria Teresa Anselmo
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Olinto
authors.forename: Ana Maria Baptista
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Menezes
authors.forename: Denise Petrucci
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Gigante
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Macedo
authors.forename: Sandra Costa
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Fuchs
mesh_terms: 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