Author(s)

P. I. Mboliasa¹, F. B. Lepira¹, J. R. Makulo¹, A. Nkodila², E. K. Sumaili¹, J. B. Bukabau¹, V. M. Mokoli¹, A. L. Longo¹, C. V. Zinga¹, F. M. P. Kanjingulu¹, Y. M. Nlandu¹, Y. M. Engole¹, M. M. Mukendi², E. M. Kadima¹, C. K. Ilunga¹, P. M. Ekulu³, N. M. N. Nseka¹

¹Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kinshasa Hospital, Kinshasa, Congo.
²Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Kinshasa School of Public Health, Kinshasa, Congo.
³Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatric, University of Kinshasa Hospital, Kinshasa, Congo.

Background: Although systemic hypertension is rarely seen in steady state sickle cell disease (SCD), relative hypertension has been reported to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular and renal complications. Objective: To determine the prevalence of BP patterns and assess factors associated with relative hypertension insickle cell anemia (SCA) adult patients. Methods: Clinical data and office BP were obtained from 103 consecutive steady-state SCA adult patients (mean age 26 ± 7.9 years, 66% females, 22.3% on hydroxyurea) attending four healthcare centers providing SCD-specific care in Kinshasa. Seated BP was measured using an automated electronic device. Three consecutive blood pressure measurements were taken with 2 minutes interval between readings and the average of the 2 last readings was considered for the analyses. Normal BP, relative hypertension and systemic hypertension were defined as BP < 120/70 mmHg, 120 - 139/70 - 89 mmHg and ≥140/90 mmHg, respectively. Results: Normal BP, relative hypertension and systemic hypertension were observed in 56 (54%), 43(42%) and 4 (4%) of SCA patients, respectively. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with relative hypertension were leg ulcer (aOR 2.05; 95%CI 1.77 - 5.18; p = 0.016), central obesity (aOR 3.32; 95%CI 1.28 - 6.24; p = 0.001), smoking (aOR 5.02; 95%CI 1.51 - 9.50; p = 0.017), and microalbumiuria (aOR 3.44; 95%CI 1.44 - 5.76; p = 0.035). Conclusion: Relative hypertension was a common finding in the present case series and associated with traditional cardiovascular risk factor as well as factors specific to SCD highlighting the need for measures to prevent its progression towards systemic hypertension and associated cardiovascular and renal disease.

Relative Hypertension, Prevalence, Associated Factors, Sickle Cell Anemia, Black Africans

Mboliasa, P. , Lepira, F. , Makulo, J. , Nkodila, A. , Sumaili, E. , Bukabau, J. , Mokoli, V. , Longo, A. , Zinga, C. , Kanjingulu, F. , Nlandu, Y. , Engole, Y. , Mukendi, M. , Kadima, E. , Ilunga, C. , Ekulu, P. and Nseka, N. (2018) Blood Pressure Patterns and Factors Associated with Relative Hypertension among Steady State Sickle Cell Disease Patients in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: A Cross-Sectional Study. World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases, 8, 217-228. doi: 10.4236/wjcd.2018.83021.