The dalmatian hypertensive patients and arterial stiffness study (DALMA-HARES): Blood pressure control, body composition, and lifestyle adherence in a mediterranean population.

The study population had a high prevalence of overweight and obesity, with a median BMI of 28.6 kg/m².

• 646 participants were enrolled from an Outpatient Clinic for Arterial Hypertension in Dalmatia, Croatia.
• Median BMI was 28.6 kg/m² (IQR=6.6).
• 38% of participants were overweight and 39% were obese.
• Combined overweight and obesity prevalence was 77%.
• This is a cross-sectional study design.

Only 7% of hypertensive participants adhered to Mediterranean diet recommendations.

• Mediterranean diet adherence was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Serving Score (MDSS) questionnaire.
• Only 7% of the 646 participants met Mediterranean diet adherence criteria.
• This low adherence is notable given that the population resides in a Mediterranean region (Dalmatia, Croatia).

Only 50% of hypertensive patients demonstrated high medication adherence.

• Medication adherence was assessed using the Morisky Medication Adherence Score questionnaire.
• 50% of participants demonstrated high medication adherence.
• All participants were prescribed antihypertensive medication or had confirmed AH by 24h-ABPM.

Sex-specific differences in blood pressure patterns were observed, with men showing higher peripheral systolic and diastolic BP and greater rates of unregulated diastolic and combined systolic-diastolic hypertension.

• Men showed higher peripheral systolic BP (p=0.039) and diastolic BP (p=0.001) compared to women.
• Men had greater rates of unregulated diastolic and combined systolic-diastolic hypertension (p=0.011).
• Blood pressure was assessed using 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (24h-ABPM).

Women exhibited higher heart rate and augmentation index with more isolated systolic BP elevation compared to men.

• Women showed higher heart rate and augmentation index (p<0.001).
• Women had more isolated systolic BP elevation (p values ranged from <0.001 to 0.011).
• Augmentation index is a measure of arterial stiffness assessed via 24h-ABPM.

The study enrolled participants from an Outpatient Clinic for Arterial Hypertension who either were prescribed antihypertensive medication or had confirmed AH by 24h-ABPM.

• Total sample size was 646 participants.
• Participants completed the Morisky Medication Adherence Score and Mediterranean Diet Serving Score questionnaires.
• Participants underwent body composition measurement and 24h-ABPM assessment.
• Medical records were reviewed as part of the data collection.
• The study is cross-sectional in design.