Comorbid hypertension and diabetes among U.S. women of reproductive age: Prevalence and disparities

Abstract

<div class="section"> <a class="named-anchor" id="S1"> <!-- named anchor --> </a> <h5 class="section-title" id="d428890e131">Aims:</h5> <p id="P1">Diabetes is associated with significant pregnancy complications, which can be further exacerbated by comorbid hypertension. Racial/ethnic differentials in the burden of comorbid hypertension and diabetes among women of reproductive age has not been described. </p> </div><div class="section"> <a class="named-anchor" id="S2"> <!-- named anchor --> </a> <h5 class="section-title" id="d428890e136">Methods:</h5> <p id="P2">Using Wave IV of the nationally representative National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), we analyzed survey and biological data from 6,576 non-pregnant women who were aged 24−32 in 2007−2008. Hypertension and diabetes were identified by self-report of diagnosis and biological measurements taken during in-home interviews. We used logistic regression models to predict the presence of comorbid hypertension and diabetes and whether each was diagnosed. </p> </div><div class="section"> <a class="named-anchor" id="S3"> <!-- named anchor --> </a> <h5 class="section-title" id="d428890e141">Results:</h5> <p id="P3">Over a third (36.0%) of women with diabetes had comorbid hypertension. Compared to non-Hispanic white women, more non-Hispanic black women had comorbid hypertension and diabetes (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 5.93, 95% CI 3.84−9.16). and, if comorbid, were less likely to have a diabetes diagnosis (aOR 0.03, 95% CI 0.007−0.1) or hypertension diagnosis (aOR 0.22, 95% CI 0.08−0.65 ). </p> </div><div class="section"> <a class="named-anchor" id="S4"> <!-- named anchor --> </a> <h5 class="section-title" id="d428890e146">Conclusion:</h5> <p id="P4">Comorbid hypertension and diabetes are more common among nonHispanic black women and less likely to be diagnosed, signaling disparities threatening maternal and child health among women with diabetes. </p> </div>