National prevalence and regional variation in the burden of hypertension in India: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension (HTN) represents a significant public health concern, having reached epidemic proportions globally. This study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to derive pooled estimates for region-specific prevalence of hypertension in rural and urban areas of India, aiming to elucidate regional disparities. METHODS: A comprehensive search strategy identified relevant studies from databases like PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Shodhganga. Studies focusing on HTN prevalence (2011-2022), adult populations, and conducted in India were included, while those with a cross-sectional design and lacking essential data were excluded. Two reviewers independently extracted data, and quality assessment used the appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies. RESULTS: A total of 112 studies met The inclusion criteria for this meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of hypertension in India was 27.2% (95% CI: 23.2% - 31.3%; I2 = 99%, n = 112 studies). The highest prevalence was in the northern region (33.0%) (95% CI: 26.0% - 40.0%; I2 = 99%, n = 20 studies). CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension represents a significant public health concern in India, with an estimated prevalence of one in four adults. This systematic review and meta-analysis contributes to the existing knowledge regarding hypertension in India and provides valuable insights for policymakers and healthcare professionals on the necessity of region-specific interventions for effective hypertension control and management.