Análise da frequência de pressão arterial elevada em pacientes atendidos em uma clínica escola de odontologia.

Abstract

Systemic arterial hypertension is a chronic, silent disease that affects approximately 38 million Brazilians. It is characterized by the maintenance of high blood pressure levels, which are often above 140 mmHg by 90 mmHg. In view of the above, the objective of this study was to evaluate blood pressure levels, as well as the incidence of high blood pressure values ​​in patients present in the waiting room for outpatient dental care at a teaching clinic in the backlands of Paraíba. The people included in the study had no previous diagnosis of hypertension or history of using medication to control blood pressure at some point in their lives. Blood pressure levels were measured using an oscillometric arm device, through simultaneous measurement of both upper limbs. The present study included a total sample of 105 people. Thus, it was found that the majority of patients were female (n=60/57.1%) and black/brown (n=69/65.7%). Regarding age, there was a variation from 18 to 79 years (mean=44±14) among patients, with a higher prevalence in individuals in their fifth decade of life (n=29/27.6%). Most patients presented changes in Body Mass Index (BMI) when taking into account the variable of overweight and obesity (n=71/67.6%). Regarding blood pressure values, it was noted that approximately half of the sample presented pathological changes in systolic, diastolic or systolic and diastolic pressure (n=52/49.5%). Regarding BP levels, it was observed that only a small portion were within the appropriate blood pressure standards (n=37/35.2%). Regarding the categorization of possible systemic arterial hypertension, most individuals were in stage I (n=36/34.3%). There was a statistical association between the presence of changes in blood pressure and male gender (p=0.024), age 40 years or older (p=0.034) and BMI (p=0.004); between blood pressure levels and male gender (p=0.042), age 40 years or older (p=0.017) and BMI (0.005); finally, between categories of probable hypertension and BMI (p<0.001). The results obtained may represent a useful tool to emphasize the importance of periodic monitoring of blood pressure and routine medical consultations after the age of 40, with the aim of favoring the early diagnosis and treatment of the disease, in addition to emphasizing the importance of measuring blood pressure by dentists, in order to make the appropriate referral and optimize the results of dental treatments.