Treatment of 5413 hypertensive patients: a cross-sectional study

TY - JOUR

T1 - Treatment of 5413 hypertensive patients: a cross-sectional study

AU - Paulsen, Margit

AU - Sondergaard, J

AU - Reuther, Lene Ørskov

AU - Larsen, P S

AU - Munck, Anders

AU - Larsen, P V

AU - Damsgaard, Jan

AU - Poulsen, L

AU - Hansen, D G

AU - Jacobsen, I A

AU - Larsen, M L

AU - Christensen, H R

AU - Christensen, B

AU - Andersen, M

PY - 2011/12

Y1 - 2011/12

N2 - Background. Most hypertensive patients are managed in primary care in Denmark, but previous studies have shown that only 21-43% of hypertensive patients achieve optimal blood pressure (BP) control. Antihypertensive drug treatment, risk factors and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are some of the important factors to consider when optimizing the individual treatment strategy in hypertensive patients. Objective. To examine treatment of BP according to Danish guidelines (BP < 140/90 mmHg generally and <130/80 mmHg for diabetics) in a population from general practice in relation to risk factors, CVD and diagnosis of diabetes.Methods. A cross-sectional study comprising 184 practices and 5413 hypertensive patients was carried out in Denmark. The general practitioners filled in information on each patient's risk factors, CVD and antihypertensive drug treatment. Patients filled in a questionnaire on risk factors. The outcome measures were optimal BP control according to Danish guidelines and antihypertensive drug treatment. Results. Mean patient age was 65.9 years [95% confidence interval (CI): 65.6-66.1]. Optimal BP control was achieved in 29.1% (95% CI: 27.9-30.3) of the study population. Among 842 diabetics with or without CVD, optimal BP control was achieved in 10.9% (95% CI: 8.8-10.3), while 38.7% (35.5-41.9) of patients with CVD achieved optimal BP control. The majority of all patients were treated with 1 (32.5%, 95% CI: 32.5 (31.3-33.8)) or two antihypertensive drugs (39.0%, 95% CI: 38.2-40.8). In hypertensive diabetics, 17.7% were not treated with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin-receptor blocker. Conclusion. In general practice, the proportion of hypertensive patients achieving optimal BP control is inadequate. The majority of hypertensive patients are treated with only one or two antihypertensive drugs.

AB - Background. Most hypertensive patients are managed in primary care in Denmark, but previous studies have shown that only 21-43% of hypertensive patients achieve optimal blood pressure (BP) control. Antihypertensive drug treatment, risk factors and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are some of the important factors to consider when optimizing the individual treatment strategy in hypertensive patients. Objective. To examine treatment of BP according to Danish guidelines (BP < 140/90 mmHg generally and <130/80 mmHg for diabetics) in a population from general practice in relation to risk factors, CVD and diagnosis of diabetes.Methods. A cross-sectional study comprising 184 practices and 5413 hypertensive patients was carried out in Denmark. The general practitioners filled in information on each patient's risk factors, CVD and antihypertensive drug treatment. Patients filled in a questionnaire on risk factors. The outcome measures were optimal BP control according to Danish guidelines and antihypertensive drug treatment. Results. Mean patient age was 65.9 years [95% confidence interval (CI): 65.6-66.1]. Optimal BP control was achieved in 29.1% (95% CI: 27.9-30.3) of the study population. Among 842 diabetics with or without CVD, optimal BP control was achieved in 10.9% (95% CI: 8.8-10.3), while 38.7% (35.5-41.9) of patients with CVD achieved optimal BP control. The majority of all patients were treated with 1 (32.5%, 95% CI: 32.5 (31.3-33.8)) or two antihypertensive drugs (39.0%, 95% CI: 38.2-40.8). In hypertensive diabetics, 17.7% were not treated with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin-receptor blocker. Conclusion. In general practice, the proportion of hypertensive patients achieving optimal BP control is inadequate. The majority of hypertensive patients are treated with only one or two antihypertensive drugs.

U2 - 10.1093/fampra/cmr027

DO - 10.1093/fampra/cmr027

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 21596691

SN - 0263-2136

VL - 28

SP - 599

EP - 607

JO - Family Practice

JF - Family Practice

IS - 6

ER -