Factors Associated with Blood Pressure Control among Outpatients Attending the Cardiology Department of the Libreville University Hospital Centre

Introduction: Complications of high blood pressure (HBP) are often linked to uncontrolled blood pressure in combination with other cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of this study was to assess the level of blood pressure control in hypertensive patients attending outpatient cardiology clinics and to identify the factors associated with this lack of control. Patients and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, analytical study conducted from 1 March to 1 April 2023, which consecutively included patients who had been treated for hypertension for at least one year. We calculated the average of three blood pressure readings for each patient in a seated position, taken at two-minute intervals on both arms. This enabled us to assess the overall level of blood pressure control. We did not use a method to calculate the sample size. Results: In total, we had 250 eligible patients; 120 patients were excluded based on the inclusion criteria, and 130 patients were included, of whom 81 were women, with a sex ratio of 0.59. The mean age was 58 ± 12.6 years (range 28 - 85 years). Other risk factors associated with hypertension were obesity in 67 patients (51.5%), a sedentary lifestyle in 59 patients (45.3%) and diabetes in 20 patients (15.3%). Fifty-seven patients (43.8%), 39 patients (30.0%) and 14 patients (10.8%) were receiving dual, triple and quadruple antihypertensive therapy, respectively. The proportion of uncontrolled blood pressure was 83.2%. After adjustment by logistic regression, the factors associated with uncontrolled hypertension were a sedentary lifestyle (OR = 3.4, 95% CI [0.5 - 2.6], p < 0.0001) and obesity (OR = 1.2, 95% CI [0.32 - 1.59], p = 0.033). Conclusion: The prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension is high despite health insurance coverage, and the factors associated with uncontrolled hypertension were physical inactivity and obesity.