Continuity of Care in Hypertension: An Important Correlate of Blood Pressure Control Among Aware Hypertensives

Autor: McClellan, William M., Hall, W. Dallas, Brogan, Donna, Miles, Carolyn, Wilber, Joseph A.
Zdroj: Archives of Internal Medicine; March 1988, Vol. 148 Issue: 3 p525-528, 4p
Abstrakt: • Hypertensive patients frequently discontinue follow-up care. In a population-based survey of 4688 adults, we examined the impact of nonattendance on blood pressure control in aware hypertensives. Nonattendance was defined as a failure to visit a physician for hypertensive care within a six-month interval and was reported by 29% of 907 aware hypertensives. Nonattenders had a higher prevalence of diastolic blood pressure above 90 mm Hg (67% vs 30% for attenders). The nonattender profile was male, young, active in the work force, and without coexisting chronic diseases. Poor blood pressure control among nonattenders was associated with a lower treatment rate. Uncontrolled diastolic hypertension and less adherence to medications in nonattenders warrants concern by clinicians.(Arch Intern Med 1988;148:525-528)
Databáze: Supplemental Index