Prevalence of Coexisting Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension among Dental Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus and hypertension are quite important in dental settings as may present as an emergency during dental treatment or may necessitate a modification in the patient's management. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of coexistence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension among a group of dental outpatients and to assess the relationship between these medical conditions and a cross-section offactors. Methodology: A cross sectional survey of 203 outpatients presenting in a Dental Clinic within a Tertiary hospital was undertaken. The capillary blood glucose of respondents was measured using a glucometer. Patients with a random blood glucose (RBS) > 200 mg/dl were considered diabetic. Their blood pressure (BP) was assessed using a digital sphygmomanometer and a systolic BP of<120-139 and diastolic BP of <80-89 mmHg was taken as normal. Relationship between thetwo parameters wastested using Chi-square and p-value <0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results: The age range of respondents was 16-75 years with a mean of40.4 ± 13.1 years and most (56.2%) of them were females. Their mean blood glucose was 108.7 ± 43.1 mg/dl, mean systolic blood pressure was 121.2 ± 14.9 mm Hg and mean diastolic blood pressure was 76.8 ± 13.3 mm Hg. Twenty-seven (13.3%) had high systolic BP, while 37 (18.2%) had high diastolic BP. Nine (4.4%) had their blood glucose in the range of diabetes. There was a co- existence of high blood glucose and diastolic blood pressure in 6 (3.0%) of the respondents and statistically significant association (p = .000) between the blood glucose and diastolic blood pressure. Conclusion: Dentists should note that c0—existence of diabetes mellitus and diabetes in a dental patient is an index of increased morbidity and mortality and should always screen for these medical conditions.