The Rate of Initiation of Treatment for Hypertension in a Community, 1971–1975

Summary: The rate of initiation of treatment for hypertension in a community, 1971–1975.
In 1971 persons aged 50–59 in a community were screened for hypertension and those with diastolic BP ≤ 110 mmHg were notified. On reviewing the sample in 1975 the treatment rate had doubled to 22%. Screening in 1971 was followed by an immediate rise in numbers starting treatment, most being notified cases. Thereafter initiation of treatment at a rate of 3–8 cases per 100 persons per year chiefly reflected identification of subjects deemed to need treatment in the ordinary course of medical practice. Of those starting treatment during the four years 25% had stopped it by 1975. The influence of screening and other factors on the rate of initiation of treatment and adherence to it are discussed. With an already high attendance rate at doctors, regular screening of this whole age group seems feasible within the framework of general practice. The high treatment rate found in 1975 underlines the urgent need for the indications currently used for starting treatment to be validated.