Prevalence of hypertension in glossopharyngeal neuralgia patients comparing with the result from the China Hypertension Survey

Background & Objective: Neurogenic hypertension is an important subtype of hypertension but the concept still lacks supporting evidence. By comparing the prevalence of hypertension in glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN) patients and the general population, we believe it can provide the evidence for the theory that compression of IX nerve root entry zone can cause hypertension. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients with GPN and compared the prevalence of hypertension in these patients with the general population. Results: A total of 90 patients with GPN were included, in which 40 suffered from hypertension. The adjusted prevalence was 40.3%. The odds ratio (OR) for hypertension between the GPN patients and the general population in China was 1.451. The 35-44 and 45-54 years old GPN patients had a higher prevalence than the general population, with an OR of 2.611 and 1.648, respectively. Conclusion: Patients with GPN have a higher prevalence of hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension is more pronounced in patients younger than 55, supporting the pathogenesis of vascular compression resulting in neurogenic hypertension.