Appropriate reductions in compliance among well-controlled hypertensive patients

Physicians have traditionally viewed partial compliance with medications as a concern only in hypertensive patients whose blood pressure (BP) is poorly controlled. However, partial compliance also occurs in patients whose BP: has become normal on medications; in them, reduced compliance may, indicate that they have been prescribed more medication than they need. During enrollment for a study of medication reduction in hypertensive patients, we identified 118 male veterans who were eligible for the, study because their diastolic BP had been less than 95 mmHg for more than 6 months. Fifty-nine of these patients (50.0%) agreed to participate in the study, of whom 71% successfully reduced or stopped (“stepped down”) one or more of their antihypertensive drugs over a 1-year period. The 59 patients who' did not enroll continued to receive routine care for hypertension in the clinic without intensive efforts at stepdown. Nevertheless, 24% o of these patients reduced or stopped at least one medication over the same time period. In the year prior to the study, 29 of the 118 eligible patients (24.6%) had obtained less than 80% of their medications, measured by pharmacy refill records. Compliance in obtaining antihypertensive medications prior to the study was lower among eligible patients who stepped down mediations during the study year (90.4% ± 18.7%) than in those who did not (1p2.1% ± 26.1%, p =0.006). After adjustment for other predictors of stepdown (number of medications, duration of clinic enrollment, and pre-reduction systolic BP), each 10% increase in compliance among all eligible patients was associated with a reduction in the odds ratio for successful stepdown of 0.8 (95% CI 0.5–1.0, p = 0.01). We conclude that many well-controlled hypertensives appropriately obtain less medications than they are prescribed. Such patients should be considered for reduction of antihypertensive drugs.     

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.     

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.     

高血压患者治疗后血压昼夜节律及影响因素的调查

目的了解高血压病患者经治疗血压达标后血压昼夜节律及影响因素.方法采用横断面调查的方法,采用进入法进行非条件logistic回归分析.结果共纳人208例患者,呈勺型曲线者79例(占38%),非勺型曲线者129例(占62%).logistic回归分析显示,年龄在70岁以上及60～69之间者24 h动态血压曲线呈非勺型的比例分别是60岁以下者的3.3倍(P=0.009)和2.3倍(P=0.031);有早发心血管疾病家族史的患者,其动态血压曲线形态呈非勺型的比例为无相应家族史患者的3.7倍(P=0.029);超重(BMI＜28)与肥胖(BMI≥28)者24 h动态血压曲线呈非勺型的比例分别是正常体重(BMI＜24)者的3.0倍(P=0.003)和4.8倍(P=0.009);与单独应用长效钙离子拮抗剂(CCBs)治疗相比,单用血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂(ACEIs)或血管紧张素Ⅱ受体阻滞剂(ARBs)治疗者动态血压曲线呈非勺型的机会较少(OR=0.139,P=0.010),采用包含ACEIs或ARBs(但不包括利尿剂)的联合用药方案的患者有较少非勺型曲线的趋势,但二组之间差异无显著性(OR=0.453,P=0.118);采用包括利尿剂(但无ACEIs或ARBs)的联合用药方案以及同时包含利尿剂与ACEIs或ARBs的联合用药方案的患者均有较少非勺型曲线的机会(OR值分别为0.378和0.273,P值分别为0.030和0.011).结论高血压患者经治疗血压达标后,有近三分之二的患者呈异常的血压昼夜节律.年龄、早发心血管疾病的家族史、超重或肥胖、降压药物治疗方案等4个因素与24 h血压曲线形态有关.与单用长效CCBs比较,利尿剂、ACEIs或ARBs可能有利于保持正常的血压昼夜节律.     

Prevalence, treatment, control, and awareness of high blood pressure and the risk of stroke in Northwest England

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence, treatment, control, and awareness of hypertension in patients with first-ever stroke and in controls sampled from the same primary care physician's population register. METHODS: A population-based case-control study was conducted in East Lancashire, England, using cases identified from the stroke register in 1994-1995. Information on blood pressure (BP) and other predefined factors was extracted from the practice medical records. Postal questionnaires were used for information on patients' awareness of hypertension. RESULTS: A total of 267 stroke cases and 534 controls were included. Sixty-one percent of cases and 43% of controls had BP >= 160/95 mm Hg on >= 2 occasions within 3 months or received antihypertensives. High proportions of cases (82%) and controls (85%) were on treatment. There was a continuous relationship between the risk of stroke and levels of BP control. Of 73 cases and 135 controls who were hypertensive and responded to the postal questionnaire, 56 and 83%, respectively, were aware of hypertension (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of hypertension was high among stroke patients. In those treated, <30% of patients had their BP adequately controlled to <140/90 mm Hg. Patient awareness of previous hypertension or high BP was very poor and attention needs to be paid to patient education.     

Screening for hypertension: results of the Munich Blood Pressure Program

The Munich Blood Pressure Program (MBP) is a community hypertension control program for the metropolitan area of Munich. It tries to improve "incidental screening" in doctors' offices in the city through continuing education programs for physicians and auxiliary personnel and, in addition, emphasizes worksite screening to bring high-risk hard-to-reach groups under treatment and control. Blood pressure (BP) is measured at the worksite under standardized conditions. Those with values greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg systolic BP and/or greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg diastolic BP at the first visit have BPs measured again within 1-5 days. If their BP values are still elevated, they are referred to their family physicians for further assessment. At the same time, they are given a postage-paid card on which their doctors are asked to note the BP value measured in their offices. This postcard is returned to the MBP for evaluation. A computer-based reminder system informs all MBP participants at certain time intervals to have their BP checked. The text of the letters and the time interval between them depend on the most recent BP and treatment status data available to the MBP. In 1983, screenings were performed in seven firms. Participation rates of up to 57% were achieved for this entirely voluntary examination (3,948 participants). Age- and sex-specific prevalence rates (for the pooled data of the seven firms) were similar to those of a random sample of the Munich population (Munich Blood Pressure Study I). Seventy-four percent of those with elevated BP at first visit participated in the remeasurement at a second visit. Only 58% of these showed elevated BP values the second time. More than half (n = 101) of those second-visit hypertensives (greater than or equal to 160/95 mm Hg; n = 183) returned at least one completed postcard. The examining physician confirmed the hypertensive BP values in 60 of those cases. Of the 101, 57 were under treatment, 19 controlled and 38 uncontrolled. The follow-up period considered here lasted until May 1984 and varied from 5 to 15 months according to the date of screening in the respective firm. Only the first returned card has been evaluated thus far.     

Modern approaches to blood pressure measurement

BACKGROUND—Blood pressure (BP) is usually measured by conventional sphygmomanometry. Although apparently simple, this procedure is fraught with many potential sources of error. This review focuses on two alternative techniques of BP measurement: ambulatory monitoring and self measurement.
REVIEW—BP values obtained by ambulatory monitoring or self measurement are characterised by high reproducibility, are not subject to digit preference or observer bias, and minimise the transient rise of the blood pressure in response to the surroundings of the clinic or the presence of the observer, the so called white coat effect. For ambulatory monitoring, the upper limits of systolic/diastolic normotension in adults include 130/80 mm Hg for the 24 hour BP and 135/85 and 120/70 mm Hg for the daytime BP and night time BP, respectively. For the the self measured BP these thresholds include 135/85 mm Hg. Automated BP measurement is most useful to identify patients with white coat hypertension. Whether or not white coat hypertension predisposes to sustained hypertension remains debated. However, outcome is better correlated with the ambulatory BP than with the conventional BP. In patients with white coat hypertension, antihypertensive drugs lower the BP in the clinic, but not the ambulatory BP, and also do not improve prognosis. Ambulatory BP monitoring is also better than conventional BP measurement in assessing the effects of treatment. Ambulatory BP monitoring is necessary to diagnose nocturnal hypertension and is especially indicated in patients with borderline hypertension, elderly patients, pregnant women, patients with treatment resistant hypertension, and also in patients with symptoms suggestive of hypotension.
CONCLUSIONS—The newer techniques of BP measurement are now well established in clinical research, for diagnosis in clinical practice, and will increasingly make their appearance in occupational and environmental medicine.


Keywords: ambulatory blood pressure; self measurement; white coat hypertension     

Treated hypertensives with good medication compliance are still in a state of uncontrolled blood pressure in the Japanese elderly

Objectives Blood pressure (BP) is poorly controlled in many countries. Poor compliance was suggested as the main cause for poor BP control. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between compliance and the control of both casual blood pressure (BP) and 24-hr ambulatory BP in a Japanese elderly population. Methods The study was a cross-sectional survey. Casual BP and 24-hr ambulatory BP were measured at home. Hypertension was defined as casual systolic BP (SBP)≧140 and/or diastolic BP (DBP)≧90 mmHg, or as treated hypertension. A compliance rate of greater than 80% by the pill count method was defined as good compliance. Results Of the 178 treated hypertensives, 82.6% showed good compliance. Between the treated hypertensives with good compliance and those with poor compliance, no significant difference was found in either casual BP or ambulatory BP. Of the treated hypertensives with good compliance, the prevalence of achieved target ambulatory BP, i.e., daytime BP<135/85 mmHg, nighttime BP<120/75 mmHg, and 24-hr BP<125/80 mmHg, was, respectively, 35.4%, 43.5%, and 20.4%. Conclusions Casual BP and 24-hr ambulatory BP were poorly controlled in the community-living elderly although many of the treated hypertensives showed good compliance. It is unlikely that this inadequate control of hypertension is due to poor compliance on the part of the subjects.     

苯那普利上市后流行病学监测

目的 了解苯那普利在一般高血压患者中长期应用的药效及安全性。方法 对上海市某社区1831例原发性高血压患者进行为期3年的药物上市后流行病学监测。结果 3年随访74.3％的患者坚持服药,且具有理想的服药依从性。用药3年后,按规定服药者的收缩压达标率为75.7％,舒张压达标率为87.4％,总达标率为71.5％。总体收缩压水平较服药前降低了近15mm Hg(1mmHg=0.133kPa),舒张压降低了约10mmHg,脉压降低了近5mmHg。用药期间,未见有严重不良反应发生。咳嗽是该药主要的一种不良反应。3年累积咳嗽发生率,女性达23.6％,高于男性的18.8％。结论 苯那普利应用于一般高血压患者群体时,具有较好的长期效果和安全性。     

Pitfalls in blood pressure measurement in daily practice

BACKGROUND: Accurate blood pressure (BP) readings and correctly interpreting the obtained values are of great importance. However, there is considerable variation in the different BP measuring methods suggested in guidelines and used in hypertension trials. OBJECTIVE: To compare the different methods used to measure BP; measuring once, the method used for a large study such as the UKPDS, and the methods recommended by various BP guidelines. METHODS: In 223 patients with type 2 diabetes from five family practices BP was measured according to a protocol to obtain the following data: A = first reading, B = mean of two initial readings, C = at least four readings and the mean of the last three readings with less than 15% coefficient of variation difference, D = mean of the first two consecutive readings with a maximum of 5 mm Hg difference. Mean outcomes measure is the mean difference between different BP measuring methods in mm Hg. RESULTS: Significant differences in systolic/diastolic BP were found between A and B [mean difference (MD) systolic BP 1.6 mm Hg, P < 0.001], B and C (MD 5.7/2.8 mm Hg, P < 0.001), B and D (MD 6.2/2.8 mm Hg, P < 0.001), A and C (MD 7.3/3.3 mm Hg), and A and D (MD 7.9/3.0 mm Hg, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Different methods to assess BP during one visit in the same patient lead to significantly different BP readings and can lead to overestimation of the mean BP. These differences are clinically relevant and show a gap between different methods in trials, guidelines and daily practice.     

Effectiveness of nurse-led cardiac clinics in adult patients with a diagnosis of coronary heart disease

Background Coronary heart disease is the major cause of illness and death in Western countries and this is likely to increase as the average age of the population rises. Consumers with established coronary heart disease are at the highest risk of experiencing further coronary events. Lifestyle measures can contribute significantly to a reduction in cardiovascular mortality in established coronary heart disease. Improved management of cardiac risk factors by providing education and referrals as required has been suggested as one way of maintaining quality care in patients with established coronary heart disease. There is a need to ascertain whether or not nurse-led clinics would be an effective adjunct for patients with coronary heart disease to supplement general practitioner advice and care. Objectives The objective of this review was to present the best available evidence related to nurse-led cardiac clinics. Inclusion criteria This review considered any randomised controlled trials that evaluated cardiac nurse-led clinics. In the absence of randomised controlled trials, other research designs such as non-randomised controlled trials and before and after studies were considered for inclusion. Participants were adults (18?years and older) with new or existing coronary heart disease. The interventions of interest to the review included education, assessment, consultation, referral and administrative structures. Outcomes measured included adverse event rates, readmissions, admissions, clinical and cost effectiveness, consumer satisfaction and compliance with therapy. Results Based on the search terms used, 80 papers were initially identified and reviewed for inclusion; full reports of 24 of these papers were retrieved. There were no papers included that addressed cost effectiveness or adverse events; and none addressed the outcome of referrals. A critical appraisal of the 24 remaining papers identified a total of six randomised controlled trials that met the inclusion criteria. Two studies addressed nurse-led clinics for patients diagnosed with angina, one looked at medication administration and the other looked at educational plans. A further four studies compared secondary preventative care with a nurse-led clinic and general practitioner clinic. One specifically compared usual care versus shared care introduced by nurses for patients awaiting coronary artery bypass grafting. Of the remaining three studies, two have been combined in the results section, as they are an interim report and a final report of the same study. Because of inconsistencies in reporting styles and outcome measurements, meta-analysis could not be performed on all outcomes. However, a narrative summary of each study and comparisons of specific outcomes assessed from within each study has been developed. Although not all outcomes obtained statistical significance, nurse-led clinics were at least as effective as general practitioner clinics for most outcomes. Recommendations The following recommendations are made: ? The use of nurse-led clinics is recommended for patients with coronary heart disease (Level II). ? Utilise nurse-led clinics to increase clinic attendance and follow-up rates (Level II). ? Nurse-led clinics are recommended for patients who require lifestyle changes to decrease their risk of adverse outcomes associated with coronary heart disease (Level II).     

Nurse-led adherence support in hypertension: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Lack of medication adherence is a common reason for poor control of blood pressure in the community, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of nurse-led adherence support for people with uncontrolled high blood pressure compared with usual care. METHODS: We recruited 245 women and men with uncontrolled hypertension (> or = 150/90 mmHg) from 21 general practices in Bristol, UK. Participants were randomized to receive nurse-led adherence support or usual care alone. Main outcome measures were adherence to medication ('timing compliance') and blood pressure. RESULTS: Mean baseline timing compliance (+/- SD) was high in both the intervention (90.8 +/- 15.6%) and the control group (94.5 +/- 7.6%). There was no evidence of an effect of the intervention on timing compliance at follow-up (adjusted difference in means -1.0%; 95% confidence interval (CI) -5.1 to 3.1). There was also no difference at follow-up between the groups with regard to systolic blood pressure (-2.7 mmHg; 95% CI -7.2 to 1.8) or diastolic blood pressure (0.2 mmHg; 95% CI -1.9 to 2.3). Projected costs for the primary care sector per consultation were 6.60 pound sterling for the intervention compared with 5.08 pound sterling for usual care. CONCLUSION: In this study, adherence to blood pressure medication was much higher than previously reported. There was no evidence of an effect of nurse-led adherence support on medication adherence or blood pressure compared with usual care. Nurse-led adherence support was also more expensive from a primary care perspective.     

Multiple risk factor intervention trial (MRFIT).: VI. Intervention on blood pressure

The MRFIT blood pressure data derived from the Special Intervention (SI) group of men over the first 4 years are presented, and the results of the hypertension treatment program are reviewed. A therapeutic goal diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was established for each man determined to be hypertensive which included men with DBP ?90 mm Hg and men who were already taking antihypertensive drugs. A stepped care protocol was used to guide the drug treatment. At the fourth annual examination, 63.8% of the 5,790 SI men seen had been previously declared hypertensive. The mean baseline blood pressure (BP) for the hypertensive group was 140.3 mm Hg, systolic, and 94.5 mm Hg, diastolic, and at the 48-month visit, the mean BP was 120.7 mm Hg, systolic, and 82.5 mm Hg, diastolic. Of the hypertensive men seen at 48 months, 87.3% were taking antihypertensive drugs, 65.4% were at or below their goal pressure, and 83.5% had a DBP <90 mm Hg. Most men on antihypertensive drug therapy were at protocol Step 1 or Step 2, receiving a diuretic agent alone (32.9%), or in combination with an antiadrenergic drug (40.4%). Data for specific drug regimens are presented. Older men and men with higher BP levels at entry had a better response. The MRFIT BP results, achieved within a context of a multiple-risk-factor intervention program, compare favorably with the results from recently reported trials that focused solely on the treatment of mild hypertension.     

社区门诊高血压患者健康教育方法与效果的探讨

目的探讨社区医护人员对高血压患者进行有针对性的、各种形式健康教育,以提高患者对高血压预防及治疗的依从性。方法对2012年11月至2013年11月在广州某社区门诊就诊的96例高血压患者进行有针对性的健康教育,比较患者对各种健康教育方式的满意度、健康教育前后高血压治疗知识知晓率。结果患者健康教育前后高血压治疗知识知晓率有显著差异。结论社区门诊健康教育可提高患者对高血压预防治疗知识的知晓率;并应根据患者的不同情况,不同需要,采用不同的健康教育方式。     

A comparison of the effect of oral captopril and nicardipine in hypertensive crisis

BACKGROUND: Hypertensive crisis is defined as a severe elevation in blood pressure (BP) without target organ injury. There are few data about the efficacy and safety of comparative oral antihypertensive drugs. AIM: To compare the efficacy and safety of oral captopril (25 mg) and nicardipine (20 mg) in hypertensive crisis. METHODS: This prospective, randomized study included 50 patients attended at the emergency department with a hypertensive crisis (arterial blood pressure of at least 180/110 mmHg without target organ damage confirmed after 15 min of rest. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate (HR) were assessed at several intervals during 4 h after the drug administration. Therapeutic success was defined by a SBP< or =160 and DBP< or =90 mmHg two hours after drug administration. The initial clinical characteristics as age, sex, initial systolic and diastolic BP and HR were no different in the two groups. RESULTS: BP levels started to significantly decrease within 15 minutes. At 2 hours, SBP and DBP dropped were similar in captopril group and nicardipine group,respectively to 162/94 vs 161/89 mmHg; p=ns. The therapeutic success at the second hour has been obtained in 68% of cases in the two groups. Age >70 years was a predictor's factor of therapeutic failure in the captopril group. Heart rate significantly dropped after 30 min in the captopril group (82.3 +/- 11.8 vs 77.6 +/- 12.7 c/min; p=0.037). This effect was maintained over four hours. There were no side effects in this study. CONCLUSION: Oral captopril or nicardipine are efficacy and safe in the treatment of hypertensive crisis.     

Magnitude of Hypotension Based on Office and Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring: Results From a Cohort of 5066 Treated Hypertensive Patients Aged 80 Years and Older

Background and objective

Elderly patients can be particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of excessive blood pressure (BP) lowering by antihypertensive treatment. The identification of hypotension is thus especially important. Ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) is a more accurate technique than office for classifying BP status. This study examined the prevalence of hypotension and associated demographic and clinical factors among very old treated hypertensive patients undergoing ABPM.

A survey of blood pressure in the state of Maryland

To provide baseline data for a state program to coordinate hypertension resources, a blood pressure (BP) survey was undertaken in Maryland in 1978. A statewide probability sample of households was chosen; each adult member was eligible for interview and measurement of BP. A total of 6,425 adults were interviewed for an overall response rate of 79.5%. Using a definition of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 95 mm Hg or higher or use of antihypertensive medication, 15.1% of state residents were estimated to be hypertensive. Of these, 85.8% were estimated to be aware of their condition, 77.6% of them were treated, and 67.6% had their BP controlled to a normal level by medication. Data are also presented using DBP 90 mm Hg or higher. A comparison of data from the Hypertension Detection and Follow-up Program (HDFP) home screen in 1973–1974 and comparable information from this survey showed lower rates of awareness, treatment, and BP control in hypertensives at HDFP home screen. Results of this survey will be compared with those of a second statewide survey conducted four years later to assess changes in rates of hypertension awareness, treatment, and control.     

Effect of candesartan cilexetil on diabetic and non-diabetic hypertensive patients: meta-analysis of five randomized double-blind clinical trials

Objective

To study the effect of candesartan cilexetil (CC) in the management of blood pressure (BP) in diabetic and non-diabetic hypertensive patients.

Methods

A selection of five randomized double-blind clinical trials in which patients were treated for hypertension with CC was analyzed. All of these were similar in design: i) a 4-week placebo run-in period, ii) a 4-to 6-week period (V1) with CC 8 mg once daily (od), after which the dosage was doubled if BP was not normalized (BP >140/90 or BP >130/80 mmHg in diabetes), and iii) a 4- to 6-week period (V2) with CC 8 or 16 mg od. Efficacy was measured at V1 and V2.

Results

702 patients were screened. The population consisted of 397 males (56.6%) with a mean age of 60 ± 11 years, with 153 diabetic (21.8%) and 549 non-diabetic (78.2%) patients. At baseline, mean BP values were 160/94/65 mmHg for SPB, DBP, and pulse pressure (PP) respectively, with differences between diabetic and non-diabetic patients. SBP, DBP, and PP values showed a significant reduction at V1 (p < 0.001) and V2 (p < 0.001) compared with baseline for all hypertensive patients. Mean changes at V2 in SBP and PP values were higher in diabetic than non-diabetic patients (p < 0.001), and to a lesser degree on DBP values (p = 0.034).

Conclusions

CC was effective in lowering BP in diabetic and non-diabetic hypertensive patients. CC is a promising therapy to manage hypertensive diabetic patients, as demonstrated by the significant BP reduction.

Short abstract

The effect of candesartan cilexetil (CC) on controlling blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive diabetic and non-diabetic patients was analyzed. Five randomized double-blind trials were pooled treating hypertension by CC (n = 702), including 153 diabetic (21.8%) and 549 non-diabetic (78.2%) patients. After treatment with CC (8–16 mg), significant reductions in SBP, DBP, and pulse pressure (PP) values were observed after 4–6 weeks (p < 0.001) and after 8–12 weeks (p < 0.001) compared with baseline for all hypertensive patients. Mean BP reductions after 8–12 weeks were higher in diabetic patients than non-diabetic (p < 0.001). CC is a promising therapy to treat hypertensive patients, both diabetic and non-diabetic.     

Hypertension awareness,treatment and control rates for an Asian population: Results from a national survey in Korea

Objective. This observational study was performed in order to determine the hypertension awareness, treatment, and control rates for the country of Korea.

Methods. Rates were determined in conjunction with a national blood pressure survey in Korea in 1990. Through cluster sampling, individuals aged > 30 in 190/146 944 districts were selected for study. Among 25 567 eligible individuals, 21 242 had measurement of blood pressure (BP) and answered a standard questionnaire. BP was recorded as the mean of two measurements with a standard mercury manometer. Hypertension was defined either as BP ≥ 160/95 mm Hg or on treatment (n = 2628), or as BP ≥ 140/90 mm Hg or on treatment (n = 4219). Treatment was defined as any method of BP treatment, including dietary, traditional, or medication.

Results. Rates for BP ≥ 160/95 mm Hg or on treatment: aware 1057 (40%), treated 696 (27%), controlled 367 (14%). Rates for BP ≥ 140/90 mm Hg or on treatment: aware 1069 (25%), treated 696 (16%), controlled 221 (5%).

Conclusions. Hypertension awareness, treatment, and control rates are relatively low in Korea. Blood‐pressure control programs, including detection strategies, are needed here and worldwide.     

The inter-arm blood pressure difference and peripheral vascular disease: cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: A blood pressure (BP) difference between the upper limbs is often encountered in primary care. Knowledge of its prevalence and importance in the accurate measurement of BP is poor, representing a source of error. Current hypertension guidelines do not emphasize this. OBJECTIVES: To establish the prevalence of an inter-arm blood pressure difference (IAD) and explore its association with other indicators of peripheral vascular disease (PVD) in a hypertensive primary care population. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. Primary care, one rural general practice, was the setting of the study. The methods were controlled simultaneous measurement of brachial BPs, ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) and tiptoe stress testing in 94 subjects. RESULTS: In all, 18 of 94 [19%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 11-27%] subjects had mean systolic inter-arm difference (sIAD) > or =10 mmHg and seven of 94 (7%, 95% CI 2-12%) had mean diastolic inter-arm difference (dIAD) > or =10 mmHg. Nineteen of 91 (20%, 95% CI 12-28%) had a reduced ABPI <0.9. There was negative correlation between systolic (Pearson's correlation coefficient - 0.378; P = 0.01) and diastolic (Pearson's correlation coefficient - 0.225; P = 0.05) magnitudes of IAD with ABPI. On tiptoe testing, 9/90 subjects (10%, 95% CI 4-16%) had a pressure drop > or =20%. CONCLUSIONS: An IAD and asymptomatic PVD are common in a primary care hypertensive population. Magnitude of the IAD is inversely correlated with ABPI, supporting the hypotheses that IADs are causally linked to PVD, and that IAD is a useful marker for the presence of PVD. Consequently, detection of an IAD should prompt the clinician to screen subjects for other signs of vascular disease and target them for aggressive cardiovascular risk factor modification.