Manidipine-delapril combination in the management of hypertension

High blood pressure (BP) is the major cardiovascular risk factor and the main cause of death around the world. Control of blood pressure reduces the high mortality associated with hypertension and the most recent guidelines recommend reducing arterial BP values below 140/90 mmHg for all hypertensive patients (130/80 in diabetics) as a necessary step to reduce global cardiovascular risk, which is the fundamental objective of the treatment. To achieve these target BP goals frequently requires combination therapy with two or more antihypertensive agents. Although the combination of a diuretic and an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) is the most commonly used in the clinical practice, the combination of an ACEI and a calcium channel blocker may have an additive antihypertensive effect, a favorable effect on the metabolic profile, and an increased target organ damage protection. The new oral fixed combination manidipine 10 mg/delapril 30 mg has a greater antihypertensive effect than both components of the combination separately, and in non-responders to monotherapy with manidipine or delapril the average reduction of systolic and diastolic BP is 16/10 mmHg. The combination is well tolerated and the observed adverse effects are of the same nature as those observed in patients treated with the components as monotherapy. However, combination therapy reduces the incidence of ankle edema in patients treated with manidipine.     

Olmesartan medoxomil combined with hydrochlorothiazide for the treatment of hypertension

In most patients with hypertension, especially Stage 2 hypertension, adequate control of blood pressure (BP) is only achieved with combination drug therapy. When using combination therapy, antihypertensive agents with complementary mechanisms of action are recommended, for example, an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) in combination with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), a beta-blocker + HCTZ, an ACE inhibitor + HCTZ, or a calcium channel blocker + an ACE inhibitor. One such combination is olmesartan medoxomil + HCTZ, which is available as fixed-dose, single-tablet combinations for once-daily administration. In clinical trials, olmesartan medoxomil/HCTZ reduced systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) to a greater extent than either component as monotherapy. A clinical study in patients with Stage 1 or 2 hypertension showed that olmesartan medoxomil/HCTZ achieved a similar mean reduction in DBP, but a significantly greater mean reduction in SBP and higher rate of BP control (< 140/90 mmHg) than observed with losartan/HCTZ, at US/European-approved starting doses. In a non-inferiority trial, the antihypertensive efficacy of olmesartan medoxomil/HCTZ was comparable to that of atenolol/HCTZ. Furthermore, indirect comparisons have shown that olmesartan medoxomil/HCTZ compares favorably with other antihypertensive combination therapies, including other ARB/HCTZ combinations and amlodipine besylate/ benazepril. Olmesartan medoxomil/HCTZ is generally well tolerated. In conclusion, olmesartan medoxomil/HCTZ is an effective and well-tolerated combination antihypertensive therapy that results in significant BP reductions and BP control in many patients.     

我国西南地区高血压患者降压药物应用现状

目的 了解我国西南地区高血压患者的降压药物应用现状。方法 研究基于 "心血管病高危人群早期筛查与综合干预项目",自2016年1月至2018年11月,采用方便抽样,对我国西南地区35~75岁成年人进行调查。研究收集调查对象的基本信息和心血管健康资料,检出高血压患者,并收集患者服用降压药物的名称、服药剂量和频率。分析不同特征亚组高血压患者的降压药物使用情况和个体影响因素,常用药物类型和联合用药组合模式。结果 共394 957名研究对象纳入分析。高血压患者159 014名,年龄为(58.8±9.5)岁,男性占40.2%,29.8%的患者接受了降压药物治疗。30 445名患者上报了具体用药信息,其中22.5%接受了联合用药治疗,在不同年龄、性别、血压水平及心脑血管病史组别中联合用药比例基本一致。多因素logistic回归分析显示,既往发生过心脑血管事件、肥胖、糖尿病的患者更可能接受联合用药治疗,而家庭年收入低、文化程度低的患者联合用药的可能性较低。单药治疗以钙拮抗剂为主(58.6%),联合用药以使用传统复方制剂最常见(31.4%),其次为血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂/血管紧张素受体拮抗剂联合钙拮抗剂(22.4%);冠心病患者的联合用药以血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂/血管紧张素受体拮抗剂联合β受体阻滞剂为主。结论 我国西南地区高血压患者的药物治疗率低,降压药物的使用仍然存在不规范之处,联合用药率亟待提高。     

Treatment of hypertension at an outpatient hypertension clinic. Blood pressure control, dropout rate, and side effects

Long-term results from an outpatient hypertension clinic concerning blood pressure (BP) control, dropout rate, and adverse effects of treatment in a random population sample are presented. Six hundred eighty-six men, aged 47–54 years, and recruited from a screening examination with casual systolic BP > 175 mm Hg or diastolic BP > 115 mm Hg on two occasions or already on antihypertensive therapy, were treated and followed for 5 years. The 5-year dropout rate of patients refusing to participate or lost for unknown reasons was low (4.2%), with the highest incidence during the first year (2.2%). The most commonly used drugs were beta-adrenoceptor blocking agents (69%), thiazide diuretics (62%), and hydralazine (34%). After 5 years' follow-up 58% of the patients had BP below 160 mm Hg systolic and 95 mm Hg diastolic, 33% had BP between 160–170 mm Hg systolic or 95–105 mm Hg diastolic, and 9% remained above 170 mm Hg systolic and/or 105 mm Hg diastolic. This blood pressure control was in many cases achieved first after several years of treatment and with the frequent use of combination drug therapy (66%). Patients who remained above 170 mm Hg systolic and/or 105 mm Hg diastolic after 5 years were characterized by higher initial BPs, more frequent eye—ground changes, heart enlargement, and more frequent alcohol problems, but also by being on more aggressive treatment. After the initial treatment phase, the frequency of adverse effects necessitating drug withdrawal was low, approximately 3% per year. These promising results are attributed to the clinical routine used and thus point to a potential benefit of structured care for the management of large patient populations.     

动态血压监测指导腹膜透析患者高血压治疗的临床观察

目的　探讨动态血压监测指导腹膜透析患者高血压治疗的意义。方法　使用非侵入性的动态血压监测仪监测 34例腹膜透析 (CAPD)合并有高血压的患者 ,通常从早上 9:0 0开始每 30分钟记录 1次血压 ,共监测 2 4小时。结果　所有病人 2 4小时的平均血压是 14 5 6 / 91 3mmHg ,39 6 %收缩压记录超过 15 0mmHg ,4 8 7%的舒张压记录超过 90mmHg。糖尿病肾病患者 (12例 )平均血压是 15 7 3/ 88 8mmHg ,5 8 5 %的收缩压记录和 4 4 6 %的舒张压记录超过 15 0 / 90mmHg。平均血压、心率和血压负荷白天和夜间没有显著性差异。结论　大多数的CAPD患者伴有高血压的病人其血压控制不佳 ,糖尿病患者血压控制情况更差。大多数CAPD患者血压 2 4小时节律性消失 ,白天和夜间高血压控制不佳并没有区别 ,使用动态血压监测仪评估血压可以指导降压治疗和增加降压达标。     

Blood pressure normalization in a large population of hypertensive patients treated with perindopril/indapamide combination: results of the OPTIMAX trial

Objective

To determine if the fixed-dose perindopril/indapamide combination (Per/Ind) normalizes blood pressure (BP) in the same fraction of hypertensive patients when treated in everyday practice or in controlled trials.

Methods

In this prospective trial, 17 938 hypertensive patients were treated with Per 2 mg/Ind 0.625 mg for 3–6 months. In Group 1 Per/Ind was initiated in newly diagnosed patients (n = 7032); in Group 2 Per/Ind replaced previous therapy in patients already treated but having either their BP still uncontrolled or experiencing side-effects (n = 7423); in Group 3 Per/Ind was added to previous treatment in patients with persistently high BP (n = 3483). BP was considered normalized when ≤ 140/90 mm Hg. A multivariate analysis for predictors of BP normalization was performed.

Results

Subjects were on average 62 years old and had a baseline BP of 162.3/93.6 mm Hg. After treatment with Per/Ind, BP normalization was reached in 69.6% of patients in the Initiation group, 67.5% in the Replacement Group, and 67.4% in the Add-on Group (where patients were more frequently at risk, diabetic, or with target organ damage). Mean decreases in systolic BP of 22.8 mm Hg and in diastolic BP of 12.4 mm Hg were recorded.

Conclusions

This trial was established to reflect everyday clinical practice, and a treatment strategy based on the Per/Ind combination, administered as initial, replacement, or add-on therapy, led to normalization rates that were superior to those observed in Europe in routine practice. These results support recent hypertension guidelines which encourage the use of combination therapy in the management of arterial hypertension.     

Gender,age and deprivation differences in the primary care management of hypertension in Scotland: a cross-sectional database study

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the community management of cardiovascular disease among different gender, age or deprivation groups, even though much of the long-term treatment takes place within primary care. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to determine whether important gender, age and deprivation differences exist in the primary care management of hypertension. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of computerized general practice data was carried out in 43 practices in Scotland contributing to the Continuous Morbidity Recording project. The main outcome measures were odds ratios of being under GP review; receiving different classes of antihypertensive treatments [thiazides, beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, calcium channel blockers]; and receiving other cardiovascular preventative treatments (statins and/or antiplatelets). RESULTS: Compared with males, female hypertensive patients were more likely to receive a thiazide and less likely to be given an ACE inhibitor, calcium channel blocker or secondary preventative treatment. Elderly hypertensive patients were less likely than the youngest patients to be under GP active review, more likely to be on a thiazide, calcium channel blocker or antiplatelet treatment, and less likely to be on a statin. More deprived hypertensive patients were less likely to be under GP review, or to be on a thiazide or a statin, but were more likely to be on a calcium channel blocker or an antiplatelet drug than the most affluent group. CONCLUSIONS: Important gender, age and deprivation differences exist in three important components of the primary care treatment of hypertension in Scotland.     

Positive benefits of a pharmacist-managed hypertension clinic in Nigeria

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether the provision of further practice-based support by pharmacists will bring about improved outcomes for blood pressure (BP) control in middle-aged and elderly Nigerian hypertensive patients managed with combination diuretics (amiloride hydrochloride 5 mg+hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg) and/or methyl dopa at the primary care level. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a 1-year prospective, randomized cohort study of the outpatients of a state comprehensive health centre in South-western Nigeria. Free primary health services including free drugs were provided for all patients. PATIENTS AND METHOD: The study population comprised 51 Nigerian patients with uncomplicated hypertension aged 45 years or more, with a 0.2-3.0-year history of hypertension, registered at the Comprehensive Health Centre, Ife between October 2002 and March 2003. They were invited into the pharmacist-managed hypertension clinic and followed for the study period. Participating pharmacists counselled for current medication, personalized goals of lifestyle modification stressing weight loss and/or increased activity, increased patient awareness by providing relevant education about hypertension and associated/related diseases, adjusted drug therapy to optimize effectiveness and minimize adverse events, utilized treatment schedules that enhanced patients' adherence to therapy, and monitored treatment outcomes between enrollment and return visits. Patient satisfaction and the number of treatment failures within 6 months post enrollment were compared with retrospective data from our earlier study involving physician-managed patients under a similar setting. RESULTS: Uncontrolled BP reduced from 92 to 36.2% by 10.15+/-5.02 days after enrollment. Treatment failures were observed at 5.9% of the total return visits (n=184) within 6 months. CONCLUSION: Pharmacist-managed hypertension clinics can improve BP control, reduce treatment failure and increase patient satisfaction.     

Trandolapril/verapamil combination in hypertensive diabetic patients

Cardiovascular diseases are directly affected by arterial hypertension. When associated with diabetes mellitus, the potential deleterious effects are well amplified. Both conditions play a central role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke, and renal insufficiency. Prevalence of hypertension is much higher among diabetic than non-diabetic patients, and the hypertensive patient is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Current international guidelines recommend aggressive reductions in blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive patients with additional risk factors, including cardiovascular risk factors, and emphasize the relevance of intensive reduction in patients with diabetes mellitus; a goal of 130/80 mm Hg is required. To achieve BP target a combination of antihypertensives will be needed, and the use of long-acting drugs that are able to provide 24-hour efficacy with a once-daily dosing confers the noteworthy advantages of compliance improvement and BP variation lessening. Lower dosages of the individual treatments of the combination therapy can be administered for the same antihypertensive efficiency as that attained with high dosages of monotherapy. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and calcium-channel blockers as a combination have theoretically compelling advantages for vessel homeostasis. Trandolapril/verapamil sustained release combination has showed beneficial effects on cardiac and renal systems as well as its antihypertensive efficacy, with no metabolic disturbances. This combination can be considered as an effective therapy for the diabetic hypertensive population.     

Fixed combination of zofenopril plus hydrochlorothiazide in the management of hypertension: a review of available data

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors effectively interfere with the renin-angiotensin system and exert various beneficial actions on vascular structure and function beyond their blood pressure-lowering effects. Zofenopril, a potent sulphydryl ACE inhibitor, is characterized by high lipophilicity, sustained cardiac ACE inhibition, and antioxidant and tissue protective activities. Its ancillary properties, such as antioxidant activity and cardiovascular (CV) protection, make this drug potentially suitable for the treatment and prevention of certain CV diseases. The Survival of Myocardial Infarction Long term Evaluation trials have demonstrated that the early administration of zofenopril to patients with acute myocardial infarction is associated with a significant reduction in the 6-week occurrence of major CV events in high-risk patients with anterior non-thrombolyzed myocardial infarction. The fixed combination of zofenopril-hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 30/12.5 mg/day is approved for the management of mild-to-moderate hypertension in different European countries. In clinical trials comparing zofenopril-HCTZ with each agent administered as monotherapy, combination therapy was clearly more effective in normalizing blood pressure (BP). In addition, combination therapy provided sustained and consistent BP control over the entire 24 hour dosing interval. The efficacy and safety profile of zofenopril-HCTZ highlights that this combination is a potentially useful addition to currently available therapy for patients with BP inadequately controlled by monotherapy, as well as for patients who require more rapid and intensive BP control.     

血压控制与糖尿病发病关系的前瞻性研究

目的 探讨血压控制情况与新发糖尿病的关系.方法 采用前瞻性研究方法 ,以江苏省多代谢异常和代谢综合征综合防治研究队列满足条件的人群为研究对象,分析并比较基线血压正常组和基线高血压组随访血压控制在不同水平时糖尿病发病率;运用Cox比例风险模型分析血压控制情况与随访新发糖尿病的关系.结果 3146名研究对象中,有102例新发糖尿病患者.基线血压正常组(n=2369)和高血压组(n=777)糖尿病累积发病率分别为2.74%和4.76%;基线血压正常组与高血压组糖尿病发病率均随着SBP和DBP增加而上升;两组人群中,随访转为或仍然为高血压的人群糖尿病发病率均大于随访血压保持或控制为正常的人群(基线血压正常组5.6%vs.1.9%,基线高血压组7.1%vs.2.2%).调整基线年龄、性别和糖尿病一般危险因素后,基线血压正常组中随访转为高血压的人群相比血压保持正常的人群发生糖尿病的相对危险度(aRR值及95%CI)为1.84(1.00～3.63);基线高血压组中随访血压未得到控制相比血压得到控制的人群发生糖尿病的aRR值为1.90(1.03～3.74).若调整性别、年龄和基线代谢综合征,aRR值则分别为1.70(0.99～2.78)和1.90(1.04～3.75).结论 基线血压正常组与高血压患者,若有效控制其血压在正常水平均能降低糖尿病发病的风险.     

四川省农村高血压患者血压控制的影响因素分析

目的 从高血压基本公共卫生服务供需双方的角度出发了解四川省农村高血压患者血压控制情况的影响因素。方法 对四川省9家乡镇卫生院的建档高血压患者进行问卷调查，目前血压控制情况使用描述性分析，使用logistic回归分析探究可能影响血压控制的因素，同时对乡镇卫生院参与高血压管理工作的人员进行半结构式访谈，访谈记录采用主题框架法进行整理分析。结果 四川省农村高血压患者的血压控制率为50.3%，民族（OR = 4.823，95%CI:1.413～22.313）、性别（OR = 0.463，95%CI:0.266～0.796）、距离卫生院的距离（OR = 2.394，95%CI:1.205～4.847）和患病时间（OR = 2.312，95%CI:1.132～4.844）可能是影响血压控制的因素；访谈发现影响乡镇卫生院对高血压患者血压控制管理的主要因素有基本药物配置不足、健康教育效果甚微、卫生人力资源缺乏和患者健康意识的缺失。结论 四川省农村高血压患者血压控制率较低；乡镇卫生院应合理优化卫生院人力资源和基本药物目录，设计有针对性的健康教育方案。     

Drug treatment considerations for the hypertensive black patient

In prior years the major differences noted between hypertension in black and white patients have been mostly epidemiological, with some suggestion that the differences were primarily quantitative and probably not qualitative. Recently, certain pathophysiological aberrations in hypertensive patients have been shown to be different in blacks and whites. Whether these differences are primary (genetic) or secondary has yet to be resolved. Nevertheless, certain racial differences may have therapeutic implications. Diuretics remain the mainstay of therapy for most hypertensive black patients. beta-Blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have not shown great efficacy when used as monotherapy in black hypertensive patients. The combination of a diuretic with beta-blockers or ACE inhibitors, however, has been shown to abolish black-white differences in drug response. More recently, the calcium channel blockers have been shown to be potentially effective in black hypertensive patients. In spite of the effective drug therapy that is available for hypertensive patients in general, economic and social considerations continue to contribute to the low rate of detection, treatment, and control of hypertension in the black population.     

Blood pressure target attainment in the background of guidelines: the very elderly in Swiss primary care

Background There are only a few trials for the very elderly population (>79 years). No consensus, which blood pressure (BP) goals and substances should be applied, has been found yet. This survey was undertaken to investigate how octogenarians are treated and attain BP targets in the Swiss primary care. Methods Data from 4594 hypertensive patients were collected within 7 days. Eight hundred and seventy-seven patients met the requirement to be >79 years. We assessed substances/combinations and investigated pulse pressure and target blood pressure attainment (TBPA) using three different recommendations [Canadian Hypertension Education Program (CHEP), Swiss Society of Hypertension (SSH), European Society of Hypertension-European Society of Cardiology (ESH-ESC)]. Secondarily, we compared TBPA attained by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/diuretic (D), angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)/D and calcium channel blocker (CCB)/D with any other dual therapy and investigated whether Ds/beta-blockers (BBs) or Ds/renin angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (RAAS-Is) lead to higher TBPA. Finally, we assessed the impact of drug administration, practical work experience, location and specialization of GPs on TBPA. Results Octogenarians attained target blood pressure (TBP) between 44% (ESH-ESC) and 74% (SSH). Optimal/normal BP was reached in 22.8% of patients. Pulse pressure <65 mmHg was shown in 66.4% of patients. Monotherapy was most commonly applied followed by dual single-pill combination with ARB/D (46.5%) or ACEI/D (36.0%). No benefit in TBPA was found comparing a RAASI/D and CCB/D treatment with any other dual combination. There was also no difference between BB/D and RAAS-I/D combination therapy and between single-pill combination and dual free combinations. Conclusions GPs adhere to the use of substances proven in outcome trials and attain high TBP. No difference in meeting BP goals could be found using different drug classes. There is an unmet need to harmonize recommendations and to add additional information for the treatment of octogenarians.     

社区高血压患者急性发作风险因素及对策分析

目的 通过分析贵阳市社区高血压患者急性发作的风险因素,了解贵阳市基层卫生服务体系建设及公共卫生政策对高血压慢性病防治效果.方法 通过分层随机抽样方法,对贵阳市6个社区卫生服务中心的969名高血压患者进行结构式问卷调查.结果 分析发现,年龄、性别、教育水平、并发症和防治方式在不同类型高血压患者中构成不同（P〈0.05）.小学及以下文化水平的高血压患者急症发作风险是大专及以上高血压患者的2.23倍;2种及以上并发症的高血压患者发生急症发作的风险是无并发症患者的2.10倍;处于高血压3级的患者急性发作概率是高血压1级患者的1.72倍.结论 受教育程度低、多种并发症、高血压3级是高血压急性发作的主要危险因素.社区慢性病管理应该强化高血压急性发作的因素识别和干预力度.     

心理干预对高血压患者降压效果的影响及评价

目的 探讨心理干预对高血压患者降压效果及心理状态的影响.方法 选取2013年3月至12月门诊高血压患者100例,根据患者就诊登记顺序分为干预组（n=50,单号）和对照组（n=50,双号）,两组患者均给予常规药物治疗,干预组同时采取认知行为疗法进行心理干预.采用“症状自评量表（ScL-90）”对两组患者干预后的效果进行评价.结果 干预组患者血压临床控制有效率优于对照组（P＜0.05）,差异有显著性.高血压患者存在不同程度的心理障碍,在进行认知行为心理干预的同时给予药物治疗,治疗效果明显好于单纯药物治疗.结论 对高血压患者采取认知行为疗法,能够明显缩短降压治疗时间,显著改善治疗质量和患者的认知水平,可以有效地解决患者的心理障碍;心理状态改善的高血压患者就诊率下降,血压较前更平稳,而且可以减轻照料者的负担.     

上海市某社区人群高血压的动态监测研究

目的 了解上海市社区人群高血压动态变化情况。方法 通过对望新乡35岁以上人群高血压普查所得的所有高血压患进行连续的动态监测和管理；用EPI软件建立数据库，将被管理的所有高血压患的监测数据输入电脑，分析高血压患在被管理的过程中血压水平的变化情况。结果 高血压患的血压水平在一年四季中有一定的变化规律。间断性服药的人群血压波动剧烈。忽高忽低，每年都有较多的波峰和波谷。结论 对临界高血压患采取以健康教育为主的非药物治疗措施效果显。     

Diagnosis of adolescent hypertension on initial screening by the use of height age

The tremendous variability in growth and maturation during adolescence makes body mass a better determinant of blood pressure (BP) than chronologic age (CA). To evaluate whether two accepted indicators of body mass, height age (HA), and weight age (WA) could accurately predict hypertension on initial screening, 1426 healthy adolescents had their BP, height, and weight measured and Tanner stage assessed. The mean of three BP measurements were compared to eight published nomograms which correlate BP with height, weight, or CA. Patients with an initial elevated BP (>95 percentile for height, weight or CA) were reevaluated to verify persistent hypertension. Eighty-seven (6.1%) initially appeared to be hypertensive with 0.84% persistently hypertensive. The diagnosis of hypertension varied considerably when the BP measurements were reevaluated based on HA or WA. Height age was the most sensitive (100%) and specific (62.6%) criteria for the diagnosis of hypertension and can be used for initial BP screening in this age group.     

Pilot study of potential barriers to blood pressure control in patients with inadequately controlled hypertension

BACKGROUND: Most people with high blood pressure (BP) are managed in primary care, but BP control is often inadequate. OBJECTIVES: To examine potential barriers to adequate BP control in patients with poorly controlled hypertension. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Computerized inner city general practice. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 155 hypertensive patients aged 50-80 years with last recorded BP > or =150/90 mm Hg (or > or =140/85 mm Hg if diabetic). METHODS: Patients were invited to attend a nurse-led clinic where BP was measured according to a standardized protocol and patients were asked to complete a semi-structured questionnaire including lifestyle, compliance with treatment and knowledge about hypertension. Details of BP reviews were obtained from medical records. RESULTS: A total of 110 patients (71%) with a mean age of 65 years attended the nurse-led clinic of whom 27% were of African origin. Of those who attended, 52 (47%) had adequately controlled BP when measured according to protocol. The remaining 58 (53%) had inadequately controlled BP. Of patients on treatment, 94% (83/88) reported taking it at least 6 days a week. Only 9% of patients knew their target BP and only 39% that treatment aims to prevent stroke or heart attack. Patients with diabetes were more likely than those without to have BP > or = audit standard (79% 26/33 versus 42% 32/77, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: About half of apparently uncontrolled hypertensive patients had BP below target when measured according to standard methods. Reported compliance was good, but patient knowledge of target BP was poor. Patients with diabetes were more likely than those without to have inadequately controlled BP.