Relevance of routine blood pressure assessment in adult patients at a dental clinic in a tertiary institution in Lagos, Nigeria
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Date
2013
Authors
Umeizudike, K.A
Ayanbadejo, P.O
Umeizudike, T.I
Isiekwe, G.I
Savage, K.O
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice
Abstract
Aim: To determine the relevance of routine blood pressure (BP)
measurement in patients attending the dental clinic.
Materials and methods: This was a retrospective survey
of patients who attended the dental clinic in the Preventive
Dentistry Department of a tertiary Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria
over an eighteen month period. Data retrieved from the
patient’s hospital records included age, sex, BP and history of
hypertension. Data was analyzed using Epi info 2011 package.
p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: A total of 1910 patients’ records were assessed.
Females represented 53.4% (n = 1020) of the study population.
The mean age was 37.1 ± 15.0 years (range 18-88 years). The
prevalence of hypertension was 39.9% (n = 763). Hypertension
was stage 1 in 25.5%, stage 2 in 9.8% and severe in 4.6% of
the dental patients. Past medical history of hypertension was
obtained for 952 patients (49.8%). Of the 763 patients with high
blood pressure, 14.8% had a known history of hypertension,
while 42.1% were previously undiagnosed (p < 0.0001). Systolic
and diastolic BP increased with increasing age (p < 0.05) and
was significantly higher in males than females (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The high prevalence of hypertension noted among
the study population with its potential consequence during
dental procedures makes the measurement of blood pressure
a valuable assessment in a dental clinic.
Clinical significance: The high prevalence of hypertension
particularly the previously undiagnosed cases among the dental
patients highlights the relevance of routine blood pressure
assessment prior to dental procedures in contemporary dental
practice, so as to minimize the potential complications that
could occur.
Description
Keywords
Relevance, Hypertension, Blood pressure, Dental patients
Citation
12. Umeizudike KA, Ayanbadejo PO, Umeizudike TI, Isiekwe GI, Savage KO. (2013) Relevance of routine blood pressure assessment in adult patients at a dental clinic in a tertiary institution in Lagos, Nigeria. J Contemp Dent Pract. 14(6)1144-1149.