Models for Characterising Hypertensive and Non-Hypertensive Diabetic Patients: A Case Study of Komfoanokye Teaching Hospital-Kumasi, Ghana

This research study sought to model and predicts hypertensive status of diabetic patients. To this end, data on 260 diabetic patients at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital’s Diabetic Centre in Ghana were collected using data extraction form. The majority (144) of the 260 diabetic patients representing about 55% were also hypertensive as against 116 (45%) who were not hypertensive. Frequency analysis also revealed female dominance as far as the two diagnoses (Diabetes with hypertension and diabetes without hypertension) were concerned. However, the percentage of females in diabetes with hypertension (77%) was greater than the percentage of females in diabetes without hypertension (67%). The minimum age of hypertensive diabetic patients was 30 years as against 11 years for those diagnosed as non-hypertensive diabetic. A logistic regression model was developed for assessing the risk associated with diabetic patients with hypertension. The analysis revealed that people who were suffering from the two medical conditions (diabetes with hypertension and diabetes without hypertension) differ when it comes to age, Body Mass Index (BMI), drinking (alcohol consumption) and gender. The odds ratios associated with the significant predictor variables are 1.396, 1.110, 1.718 and 0.532, respectively. However, there was no statistical significant difference between hypertensive diabetic patients and the non-hypertensive diabetic patients in terms of Blood Glucose Level (BGL), exercise and smoking using 0.10 level of significance. Finally, it was concluded that ageing and extra weight gained, drinking (alcohol consumption) and gender (i.e., being a female) are risk factors for developing hypertension in addition to diabetes. The model was good for prediction and has overall correct classification of 66.5%.