Clinical profile of hypertension at a University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria.
BACKGROUND
Hypertension in Nigeria is a widespread problem of immense social and economic importance because of its high prevalence and the severity of its complications.


OBJECTIVE
To define the morbidity and mortality pattern of hypertension at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH).


METHODS
Records of all patients admitted to the medical wards of the UPTH over a 5-year period with essential hypertension or any of its complications were retrieved from the ward and medical records and reviewed.


RESULTS
A total of 780 hypertensive patients were reviewed, constituting 28.2% of all medical admissions. Only 424 (15.2%) had complete records and were analyzed. Record keeping was poor. There were 173 (41%) males and 251 (59%) females with a male to female ratio of 1:1.5. The ages ranged from 18 years to 100 years with a mean of 56.5 +/- 16.2. Stroke was responsible for 169 (39.9%) hypertensive complications. Heart failure occurred in 97 (22%) cases while renal failure and encephalopathy accounted for 40 (9.4%) and 7 (1.7%) hypertensive complications respectively. There were 99 deaths out of which 51 (51.5%) were due to stroke, 14 (14.12%) were due to heart failure, and 12 (12.1%) were due to renal failure.


CONCLUSIONS
The contribution of systemic hypertension to the morbidity and mortality of adults at UPTH is quite significant.
Onwuchekwa
Arthur C
AC
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. ac_onwuchekwa@yahoo.com
Chinenye
Sunday
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000209:etiology; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult