title: Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in Lebanon.
abstract: The prevalence and factors related to hypertension (HTN) treatment and control are well investigated in the Western world but remain poorly understood in the Middle East and in middle-income countries such as Lebanon. In order to measure the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control rates of HTN in Lebanon, the authors measured blood pressure (BP) in 1697 adults. The prevalence of optimal BP (<120/80 mm Hg) was 33% and that of pre-HTN (BP ≥120/80 mm Hg but <140/90 mm Hg) was 30%. The prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control (among treated hypertensive) rates of HTN were 36.9%, 53%, 48.9%, and 54.2%, respectively. Overall, only 27% of patients with HTN had their BP under control. Awareness was the most important predictor of treatment. No predictor of control could be identified. The authors concluded that HTN is prevalent in Lebanon and its overall control is low. Improving awareness is the most important target for intervention.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hotel Dieu de France Hospital, St Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon; Middle Eastern Cardiovascular Institute for Research and Education, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Dany
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Matar
authors.forename: Antonio H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Frangieh
authors.forename: Samah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abouassi
authors.forename: Fernand
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bteich
authors.forename: Aline
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saleh
authors.forename: Elie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Salame
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kassab
authors.forename: Rabih R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Azar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001364:Awareness; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012923:Social Class; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents