Undiagnosed hypertension in a sample of dental school female patients

Objective: This study was conducted to assess prevalence of undiagnosed and uncontrolled hypertension among female patients presented for dental treatment at King Abdulaziz University, faculty of Dentistry in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A total of 208 consecutive female patients aged ≥ 18 years provided information about Sociodemographics (age, gender, and education), history of hypertension, antihypertension medication use, and smoking history. Blood pressure was taken by a dentist on both arms and the average measurement was utilized in the present analysis

Results: The mean age of the study sample was 38 (±13) years. High blood pressure measurement (≥140 systolic or ≥90 diastolic) was recorded on 18% of the study population. Of these, 66% were unaware of their high blood pressure prior to their dental visit (represent 12% of the study sample). The means systolic and diastolic blood pressure of those with hypertension were 154 (±16) and 94 (±12), respectively. History of hypertension was reported by 13% of the study sample. Of these, 48% had high blood pressure measurement. The use of antihypertension medication was reported by 10%.

Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of undiagnosed and poorly controlled hypertension in the present sample. These results underscore the importance of routine blood pressure measurement in the dental clinics.