Características da associação entre Diabetes Mellitus e HipertensãoArterial na atenção primária: estudo quantitativo no município de Jeceaba- MG

Abstract

With the objective of characterizing the association between Diabetes Mellitus and Arterial Hypertension in the city of Jeceaba/MG, patients were interviewed as part of an update of the Plan for Reorganization of Care for patients with Arterial Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus (PRAHADM) from April to July 2008. All patients were assisted by the Family Health Program of Jeceaba. The study was developed in three steps: in the first one, family charts were reviewed and the patients with confirmed or suspected diagnoses of Arterial Hypertension and/or Diabetes Mellitus were identified. In the second stage of the research, those patients were invited by Community Health Agents to answer questions from the PRAHADM pre-coded form. After conclusion of the previous steps, the patients diagnosed with Arterial Hypertension and/or Diabetes Mellitus were invited to attend to the Primary Care Unit of Health for an appointment with the Nurse or Physician from the Family Health Team. A high prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus and/or Arterial Hypertension was observed in the studied area. Among the patients included in the study, 75% had hypertension, 15% diabetes and 13% had both diabetes and hypertension. Among patients with both diabetes and Arterial Hypertension, the vast majority had Diabetes Mellitus type 2, were female, and had an age between 61 and 70 years. Regarding the complications, 49% of those patients mentioned at least one complication, diabetic foot being the most frequent one. We discussed the need for appropriate and creative ways of planning and implementing care for patients with both diabetes and hypertension, making primary care more qualified and economically viable for the municipal district.