DOI: njcpt.com.ng/101.1.2.36
Abstract
Background: The coexistence of hypertension and diabetes in individuals often necessitate the prescription of multiple medications. Some antihypertensive medications are known to potentially worsen hyperglycaemia, though this occurrence is not extensively documented.
Objectives: This study describes drug utilisation in the treatment of diabetic-hypertensive patients at State Specialist Hospital, Gombe, and compares glucose control in those using glucose-friendly versus non-glucose-friendly antihypertensive medications.
Method: In a cross-sectional study with 223 diabetic-hypertensive patients on oral anti-diabetic and antihypertensive medications for ≥ 6 months, folders were selected using a simple random sampling technique. A researcher-developed data collection form was used to capture patients' socio-demographic and clinical details. Statistical Product and Services Solution version 23.0 was employed for analyses, presenting continuous variables as mean (± standard deviation) while categorical data was expressed as frequencies and percentages. The glycaemic control of patients receiving glucose-friendly was compared with that of non-glucose-friendly antihypertensive users using the student t-test. Variables with p < 0.05 at a 95% confidence interval were deemed significant. Results: Of the 223 diabetic-hypertensive patients, the majority were female (69.5%), ≤ 50 years old (60.5%), married (96.4%), and lacked formal education (66.8%). Metformin and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors were the primary anti-diabetic (98.7%) and antihypertensive (82.0%) medications used in the study setting. There was no significant difference between glycaemic control of patients using glucose-friendly and non-glucose-friendly antihypertensive medications (8.49 mmol/L vs. 8.75 mmol/L; p = 0.639).
Conclusion: Majority of the patients used metformin and lisinopril. No significant difference was observed between the glycaemia of patients receiving glucose-friendly and non-friendly antihypertensive medication.
Keywords: Glycaemic Control; Diabetic-Antihypertensive Patients; Gombe State, Nigeria