Prevalence of hypertension among travelers and stability of blood pressure control during travel: a cross-sectional descriptive study and prospective cohort study

Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines

Research

Watsapol Gultawatvichai¹  Chayasin Mansanguan¹  Udomsak Silachamroon¹  Wasin Matsee¹  Phimphan Pisutsan¹  Watcharapong Piyaphanee¹  Gerard T. Flaherty²  Teera Kusolsuk³  Saranath Lawpoolsri⁴ 

[1] Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, 10400, Bangkok, Thailand;Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, 10400, Bangkok, Thailand;School of Medicine, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland;National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health, Galway, Ireland;Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand;Department of Tropical Hygiene, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand;

关键词: Non-communicable diseases;    Prevalence;    Hypertension;    Travelers;    Blood pressure;    Stability;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s40794-023-00199-5

 received in 2023-05-17, accepted in 2023-06-26,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundHypertension is a common and important risk factor for cardiovascular disease which is the leading cause of death among the general population and travelers. Data on hypertension among travelers are very limited due to the scarcity of research reports in this specific population. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of hypertension among adult travelers and the stability of blood pressure control during international trips using a mobile automated blood pressure device.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted at the Thai travel clinic, Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Bangkok, Thailand. All adult travelers completed a questionnaire which included demographic data, medical history, medication use, trip characteristics and hypertension awareness and knowledge. Standard two time blood pressure measurements were performed at the clinic to detect possible undiagnosed hypertension. Travelers with pre-existing hypertension were also invited to monitor their blood pressure level before and during their trip for a total of 14 days by using an automated blood pressure device and reporting the readings back to the study team.ResultDuring July and October 2022, a total of 1,359 adult travelers visited the Thai Travel Clinic before their international trip. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 28.8%, including those with pre-existing hypertension (6.7%) and those with newly diagnosed hypertension (22.2%). Travelers with newly diagnosed hypertension were significantly younger than travelers with pre-existing hypertension (38.5 years vs. 55.6 years, p < 0.001). Eleven travelers agreed to monitor their blood pressure, Most (90.9%, 10/11) had stable blood pressure control during their trip. One participant had > 10 mmHg higher blood pressure during the trip, however this was not clinically significant. All participants remained well, and acute symptoms secondary to hypertension were not reported.ConclusionUp to 28.8% of adult travelers seen in pre-travel consultations had hypertension. Most of them were unaware of their blood pressure condition. Vital signs including blood pressure should be evaluated in all pre-travel visits in order to prevent undiagnosed severe hypertension that might lead to hypertensive crisis.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature 2023

【 图 表 】

Fig. 1