Evaluation of Glycemic Status Using Blood Glucose and HbA1C in Hypertensive Patients at a Tertiary Healthcare Facility in Enugu, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a contributing factor to chronic kidney disease, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Aim: This study is an evaluation of glycemic status using blood glucose and HbA1c in hypertensive patients at a tertiary healthcare facility in Enugu, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among adult hypertensive patients receiving care at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, a tertiary hospital in Enugu state. Sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained, and FBG and HbA1c levels were measured using standard laboratory methods. GraphPad Prism version 8.0 was employed for data analysis. Descriptive statistics and comparative tests (t-test) were expressed as mean and standard deviation with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: The test group exhibited markedly higher fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels than the control group (4.61 ± 0.74 vs 3.41 ± 0.58 mmol/L, p < 0.001).  HbA1c levels were significantly higher in the test group than in the control group (5.93 ± 0.15% vs 5.12 ± 0.19%, p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that hypertensive patients exhibit significantly poorer glycemic status compared with non-hypertensive controls, underscoring the need for integrated cardiovascular and glycemic assessment in hypertension management.