History of hypertension in cancer patients: Disparities in gender and education level

Studies have demonstrated an association between hypertension and several forms of cancer. To determine whether there are gender and socio-economic disparities associated with hypertension pre-existing among cancer patients, data were analyzed from the latest National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2008 sample. This cross-sectional study focused on a subgroup of 232 adult cancer (excluding skin-cancer) patients, (115 males, 117 females) who were also diagnosed with hypertension after 18 years of age. In this subgroup, 61% of cancer patients had hypertension preceding cancer and in the remaining cases, hypertension followed cancer. The study found significant association of gender and education level with hypertension preceding cancer. Among cancer patients, males were more likely to have hypertension preceding cancer (unadjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.82; 95% CI: 1.06-3.13) compared to females. Among cancer patients, those with a high school education or below were more likely to have hypertension preceding cancer (unadjusted OR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.10-3.26) compared to people with education level higher than high school. Multivariable logistic regression analysis, after adjusting for race and country of birth, also revealed a higher likelihood of males having hypertension prior to cancer onset (adjusted OR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.07-3.24). Similarly, adjusted OR between education level and the likelihood of hypertension preceding cancer was 1.97 (95% CI: 1.13-3.44). The findings of this study, in conjunction with past research, emphasize the importance of hypertension management among males at risk for cancer and for people with a high school education or below who are at risk for cancer.