Seven-Year Follow-Up of Screening for Hypertension and Diabetes at a Dental Clinic

Abstract

Objective: To describe the distribution of risk, diagnosis and pharmacological treatments for diabetes and hypertension after seven years among patients provided with opportunistic medical screening in a dental setting. Material and Methods: The initial screening’s 170 participants were asked to take part in a seven-year follow-up study. Data were collected through self-reported information in a written health declaration. Outcome measures: • Number of study participants who had passed away • Prescription of antidiabetics or antihypertensives • Changes in weight and height to calculate body mass index (BMI) Results: The follow-up study consisted of 151 participants. Twenty had passed away. The risk needs for medicating with antihypertensive drugs after seven years for those not receiving pharmacological treatment at the initial screening was 3.7 times greater (p=0.025 CI 1.2-11.3) for participants with a diastolic blood pressure (BP) ≥ 90 mm Hg (85 for diabetics) than for the others. The risk was 3.9 times greater (p=0.020 CI 1.2-12.6) for those with a systolic BP of 140-159 mm Hg and 54.2 times greater (p<0.0001 CI 9.8-300.3) for those with a systolic BP ≥ 160 mm Hg than for those with a systolic BP 140 mm Hg. There were no changes in BMI. Conclusion: At least one in ten cases of incorrect medication or undiagnosed hypertension may be identifiable through opportunistic medical screening