Assessment and predictors of blood glucose levels in hypertensives attending a secondary health centre: relationship with physical activity and diet quality

The aim: this study aims to assess the prevalence of hyperglycaemia, the association between diet quality, physical exercise and blood glucose levels among hypertensives attending a secondary health centre in Nigeria. There is a paucity of data concerning these issues and the study would contribute positively to future management of the patients. Methods: the study was a cross-sectional study of 354 hypertensives that was conducted at the State Hospital, Oyo, Nigeria. The systematic sampling technique was used to recruit patients, and the data were analysed using SPSS software version 23. Linear regression was done to determine the predictors of hyperglycaemia, and logistic regression was done to determine the predictors of diet quality. Results: the mean age of the respondents was 52.60(SD±8.26) years. The prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes in this cohort was 19.60 %. The association of glycated haemoglobin (HbAic) with High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) was negative, weak in strength and statistically significant (p-value=0.034). For every 1 unit decrease in High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), there was a statistically significant increase in HbAic by about 0.383 units (95 % C.I equals -0.737 to -0.029, p-value=0.034). For every 1 unit increase in total Cholesterol, there was a significant increase in HbAic by about 0.158 units (95 % CI equals 0.007 to 0.308, p-value=0.04). Age group <45 years were about 2 times less likely to have good diet quality than those of 55 years and above (OR=0.502; 95 % CI=0.270 – 0.932, p-value=0.029). Conclusions: the study has assisted to characterise this population of hypertensives in terms of serum glucose levels. The prevalence of hyperglycaemia was high among these hypertensives. The predictors of hyperglycaemia were HDL and Cholesterol. Also, the predictor of good diet quality was the age of the respondent