Control of hypertension and diabetes among adults aged over 40 years with or without physical disabilities

Background: Disabled individuals have poorer health compared to non-disabled individuals and they exhibit a higher prevalence of chronic diseases, such as hypertension (HTN) and diabetes mellitus (DM). We explored how effectively blood pressure (BP) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level, factors influencing development of HTN and DM, were controlled in disabled and non-disabled individuals over the age of 40 years. We hypothesized that control of BP and FPG levels in disabled individuals would be lower than that in non-disabled participants. Methods: Records of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) were analyzed and the health screening program database was examined between the years 2007 and 2009. We identified patients who had used healthcare services to treat HTN or DM. Health-related information that might influence effective control of both BP and FPG levels in those with or without physical disabilities were examined. Results: The extent of effective BP and DM control did not differ between people with and without disabilities, but plasma glucose levels were slightly better controlled in individuals with disabilities than those without disabilities. HTN and DM control was more closely associated with female gender, age, grade of disability, non-smoking and non-drinker status, engagement in physical activity, presentation for health examinations, and frequent tertiary hospital visits for HTN management. Conclusions: Our paper is significant because of our focus on differences between disabled and non-disabled indiv iduals. Our results and future data from NHIS health screening programs can be used to regularly monitor population health status and to evaluate information relevant to the management of HTN and DM control.