Prevalence of Prehypertensive State and Other Cardiovascular Risk Factors in the First Infantry Regiment, The King’s Own Bodyguard
Nakarin Sansanayudh MD*, Vira Luvira*, Natthasak Woracharoensri MD*, Duangporn Phulsuksombati MD**, Ratri Sripen MD***
Affiliation : * Department of Internal Medicine, Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand ** Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok, Thailand *** Outpatient Department Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : The objective of the present study was to identify the prevalence of pre-hypertension in the Army
officers in a combat unit and to characterize the factors that are associated with increased prevalence of
pre-hypertension.
Material and Method: This was a cross sectional study performed in all officers of the 1st Infantry Regiment, the
King’s own bodyguard, in June 2007. Baseline demographic data were obtained and physical examination
was performed in all participants. Apart from serum hemoglobin and urinalysis, which were studied in all
participants, other laboratory examination were studied in officers whose age was 35 years old or more. All
participants were classified into three groups according to their blood pressure using the Joint National
Committee (JNC) 7 criteria; Group 1: Normal (BP < 120/80 mmHg), Group 2: Pre-hypertension (BP 120-139/
80-89 mmHg), and Group 3: Hypertension (BP > 140/90 mmHg). The prevalence of pre-hypertension was
calculated and the factors that correlated with increasing prevalence of prehypertension were identified
using logistic regression analysis.
Results : There were 1,472 officers who participated in the present study, all of them were male. The mean age
of the studied population was 36.25 + 8.98 years. The mean weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and waist
circumference were 68.66 + 9.61 kilograms, 169.60 + 4.85 centimeters, 23.87 + 3.21 and 32.40 + 3.39 inches,
respectively. The prevalence of normotension, pre-hypertension and hypertension were 40.01%, 41.44%
and 18.55% respectively. The factors that were correlated with increasing prevalence of pre-hypertension
(p < 0.05) were older age; overweight and obesity (compared with normal BMI); high serum uric acid,
hemoglobin, aspatate aminotransferase (AST); and proteinuria and metabolic syndrome.
Conclusion : The prevalence of pre-hypertension in this population was relatively high. Pre-hypertension was
found more often in older persons, with the increase in BMI, serum AST, hemoglobin and uric acid, proteinuria
and metabolic syndrome.
Keywords : Prevalence, Pre-hypertension, Risk factors, Army Officers, Thailand
