Elevated Hypertension Risk among Mexican Patients with Hemophilia

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Epidemiological data indicate higher comorbidity prevalence in people with hemophilia (PWH) compared to the general population.
• The specific incidence and risk factors for comorbidities, especially hypertension, in Mexican PWH are not well-documented.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of comorbidities, focusing on hypertension, in Mexican PWH.
• To compare comorbidity rates between PWH and a control group.
• To assess the influence of hemophilia severity on comorbidity risk.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cross-sectional study design.
• Inclusion of adult PWH from a major hemophilia treatment center in Mexico.
• Comparison of PWH cohort with a control group and analysis of hemophilia severity.

Main Results:

• Overweight prevalence was higher in mild (OR 2.77) and moderate (OR 2.42) hemophilia.
• Severe hemophilia was associated with an increased risk of hypertension (OR 1.46).
• A weak association was found between coagulation factor activity and body mass index (R² = 0.006).

Conclusions:

• Elevated hypertension risk in severe hemophilia suggests hemophilia-specific factors, potentially linked to chronic inflammation and vascular changes.
• Findings align with other populations, indicating increased hypertension and overweight risks in PWH, independent of obesity or diabetes.
• Further research is needed to understand the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.