Abnormal Blood Pressure Among Individuals Evaluated for Latent Tuberculosis Infection in a U.S. Public Health Tuberculosis Clinic

Abstract

SummaryTuberculosis infection (LTBI) has been associated with increased cardiovascular risks. We aimed to characterize abnormal blood pressure (BP) readings in individuals with LTBI. We conducted a retrospective study of adults with LTBI presenting for their initial medical visit at a large midwestern US public health clinic between 2019-2020. Abnormal BP was defined as having a systolic BP≥ 130mmHg and/or a diastolic BP≥ 80mmHg. Of 310 individuals with LTBI, median age was 36 years (interquartile range 27 – 48), 34% were male, 64% non-US-born; 58 (18.7%) were previously diagnosed with hypertension. The prevalence of any hypertension (i.e., had a history of hypertension and/or an abnormal BP reading) was 64.2% (95% confidence interval 58.7 – 69.4). Any hypertension was independently associated with older age, male sex, higher body mass index, and Black race. In conclusion, any hypertension was present in over half of adults evaluated for LTBI in our clinic. Established hypertension risk factors were also common among this group, suggesting that individuals with LTBI could benefit from clinical and public health interventions aiming to reduce the risk of future cardiovascular events.