Korean Circ J 2016;46(5):672-680
 

Prevalence of Comorbidity among People with

Hypertension: The Korea National Health and Nutrition

Examination Survey 2007-2013

Juhwan Noh, MD, Hyeon Chang Kim, MD, Anna Shin, RN, Hyungseon Yeom, MD, Suk-Yong Jang, MD,
Jung Hyun Lee, MD, Changsoo Kim, MD, and Il Suh MD

 

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Joint National Committee guidelines attempt to vary treatment recommendations for patients based on considerations of their comorbidities. The aim of the present study is to estimate the age-standardized prevalence of common comorbidities among Korean hypertension patients.

Subjects and Methods: We analyzed the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007 to 2013. Among the 58423 participants, 30092 adults, aged ≥30 yrs who completed a health examination and interview survey, were selected. The survey procedures were used to estimate weighted prevalence and odds ratios for 8 comorbidities, including obesity, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and thyroid disease.

Results: Most chronic conditions were more prevalent in adults with hypertension than in those without hypertension. Common comorbidities were obesity (60.1%), dyslipidemia (57.6%), and impaired fasting glucose (45.1%). Hypertensive patients with two or more comorbid diseases were 42.2% and those with three or more diseases were 17.7%. The age- and sex-specific prevalence of three or more comorbid diseases among male hypertension patients was significantly higher than those patients in the 30-59 (p<0.05) age group.

Conclusion: Comorbidity is highly prevalent in Korean patients with hypertension.



KEY WORDS: Hypertension; Chronic disease; Epidemiology; Prevalence; Korea.