High blood pressure prevalence and control in a middle-aged French population and their associated factors: the MONA LISA study

Blood pressure control in Italian essential hypertensives treated by general practitioners

BACKGROUND

Adequate control of blood pressure (BP) is limited worldwide. This has serious consequences for public health because in hypertensive patients, uncontrolled BP is associated with a higher incidence of cardiovascular events, particularly stroke. The aim of this study was to investigate BP control in a cohort of treated patients with diagnosed hypertension, who were under general practitioner care in Italy.

METHODS

Data were collected by 2,643 physicians on 8,572 individual Italian patients. Office BP was measured 5 min after seating each patient and then 3-5 min later. For each patient, data such as medical history of patients, physical examination data, antihypertensive drug usage, and self-BP measurement frequency were obtained.

RESULTS

Male prevalence was 48.4%, and mean age was 64.3 ± 10.5 years. Based on the second measurement, BP control (<140/90 mm Hg) was observed in 33.5% of all patients (34.2% in men and 33.4% in women). BP control was much lower for systolic BP than for diastolic BP (35.9 vs. 61.3%, P < 0.0001); moreover, BP control was much more common in patients who were engaged in self-BP measurement (61.2 vs. 38.8%, P < 0.0001). A stricter BP control recommended by the guidelines of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) and European Society of Cardiology (ESC) (<130/80 mm Hg) was observed in only 5.5% of diabetic patients.

CONCLUSIONS

In treated Italian hypertensives effective BP control remains uncommon largely due to the failure to appropriately reduce the systolic BP. The stricter values recommended by the ESH/ESC guidelines for diabetic patients are achieved only by a small fraction of hypertensive diabetic population.

Short sleep duration and increased risk of hypertension: a primary care medicine investigation

OBJECTIVES

Compelling evidence from laboratory-based and population-based studies link sleep loss to negative cardiovascular health outcomes. However, little is known about the association between sleep duration and hypertension in primary care health settings, independently of other well controlled clinical and biochemical characteristics. We investigated the association between sleep duration and the prevalence of hypertension adjusting for 21 potential confounding factors in a noncontrolled primary care sample.

METHODS

The sample included 1046 French adults older than 40 years (mean age, 55.5 years), who visited any of the general practitioners of primary care centers in the Paris area. Blood pressure (BP) readings, blood samples and standardized health and sleep questionnaires were performed on each participant. Hypertension inclusion criteria were either high BP measurements (SBP ≥ 140 mmHg or DBP ≥ 90 mmHg) or the use of antihypertensive medications. Sleep duration was recorded as the self-reported average number of hours of sleep per night during the week. Logistic regressions were performed to test the association between hypertension and sleep duration adjusted for sociodemographic, clinical, biochemical, lifestyle, psychological and sleep disorder covariates.

RESULTS

Compared to the group sleeping 7 h, individuals sleeping 5 h or less had an increased odds ratio (OR) for the prevalence of hypertension [OR = 1.80, 95% confidence interval (1.06-3.05)], after adjusting for 21 potential confounders which did not markedly attenuate this association.

CONCLUSION

Our data provide further epidemiologic evidence that with no specific selection in primary care medicine, usual short-sleep duration increases the risk of hypertension prevalence in adults over 40 years.

Achievement of cardiometabolic goals in aware hypertensive patients in Spain: a nationwide population-based study

Despite the importance of achieving cardiometabolic goals beyond blood pressure, in the health of hypertensives, no comprehensive assessment of these characteristics has been performed in whole countries. We studied in 2008-2010 a total of 11 957 individuals representative of the Spanish population aged≥18 years. Information on cardiometabolic characteristics was collected at the participants' homes, through structured questionnaires, physical examination, and fasting blood samples. A total of 3983 individuals (33.3%) had hypertension (≥140/90 mm Hg or current antihypertensive drug treatment), 59.4% were aware of their condition, 78.8% treated among those aware, and 48.5% controlled among those aware and treated (22.7% of all hypertensives). Of the aware hypertensives, 13.8% had a body mass index<25 kg/m2, 38.6% consumed <2.4 g/d of sodium, 19.3% were diabetic with 61% attaining goal hemoglobin A1c<6.5%, whereas 42.3% had hypercholesterolemia, with 38.1% reaching goal low-density lipoprotein<115 mg/dL. Only 30.7% of overweight patients received a prescription of specific method for weight loss, 17.4% of daily smokers were offered a smoking cessation strategy, and 15.8% of older patients were given a flu shot. Aware and unaware hypertensives showed a similar frequency of some lifestyle, such as adequate physical activity. In conclusion, in a European country with a well-developed, free-access healthcare system, achievement of many cardiometabolic goals among hypertensives is poor. Moreover, a serious deficiency in hypertension awareness and in the effectiveness of some lifestyle interventions among aware hypertensives is present. Greater effort is needed in the management of coexisting risk factors and on lifestyle medical advice to improve the cardiometabolic health of hypertensives.

Trends in prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension, and the risk of mortality among middle-aged Lithuanian urban population in 1983-2009

Background

Arterial hypertension (AH) is a main risk factor for the risk from cardiovascular (CVD) and stroke mortality. Only few data was published on prevalence, awareness and management of AH in Lithuania. Development of objective approaches to the treatment and control of AH reduces the risk of mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate time trends, the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of AH and risk of mortality among Lithuanian urban population aged 45–64 years during the period of 1983–2009.

Methods

Time trends of AH and risk of mortality were examined in three MONICA health surveys in 1983, 1986, 1992, and in one health survey according to MONICA protocol in 2002 included randomly recruited of 2,218 men and 2,491 women. AH was defined as systolic blood pressure (BP) ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP of ≥90 mmHg or current use of antihypertensive medication. The main outcome measures were all-cause mortality, mortality from CVD, coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke. The mean duration of follow-up was 11.8 ± 9.2 years. All survey periods were age standardized to the year 2006 of Kaunas population. The estimates of hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval were based on the multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression.

Results

In men during 1983–2002 period hypertension prevalence was 52.1–58.7% and did not significantly change whereas in women decreased from 61.0 to 51.0%. There was a significant increase in hypertension awareness among hypertensive men and women (45.0 to 64.4% and 47.7 to 72.3%, respectively) and in treated hypertensives (55.4 to 68.3% in men and 65.6 to 86.2% in women). Adjusted Cox proportional hazard regression analyses revealed a strong dose–response association between blood-pressure level and all-cause, CVD, CHD and stroke-mortality risk in both men and women groups.

Conclusion

In Lithuanian urban population the prevalence of hypertension remains high. Despite positive changes in hypertension awareness and treatment, hypertension control remains poor. A strong dose–response association between the level of BP and all-cause, CVD, CHD and stroke mortality risk was indicated.

1999-2009 Trends in prevalence, unawareness, treatment and control of hypertension in Geneva, Switzerland

Background

There are no time trends in prevalence, unawareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in Switzerland. The objective of this study was to analyze these trends and to determine the associated factors.

Methods/Findings

Population-based study conducted in the Canton of Geneva, Switzerland, between 1999 and 2009. Blood pressure was measured thrice using a standard protocol. Hypertension was defined as mean systolic or diastolic blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg or self-reported hypertension or anti-hypertensive medication. Unawareness, untreated and uncontrolled hypertension was determined by questionnaires/blood pressure measurements. Yearly age-standardized prevalences and adjusted associations for the 1999–2003 and 2004–2009 survey periods were reported. The 10-year survey included 9,215 participants aged 35 to 74 years. Hypertension remained stable (34.4%). Hypertension unawareness decreased from 35.9% to 17.7% (P<0.001). The decrease in hypertension unawareness was not paralleled by a concomitant absolute increase in hypertension treatment, which remained low (38.2%). A larger proportion of all hypertensive participants were aware but not treated in 2004–2009 (43.7%) compared to 1999–2003 (33.1%). Uncontrolled hypertension improved from 62.2% to 40.6% between 1999 and 2009 (P = 0.02). In 1999–2003 period, factors associated with hypertension unawareness were current smoking (OR = 1.27, 95%CI, 1.02–1.59), male gender (OR = 1.56, 1.27–1.92), hypercholesterolemia (OR = 1.31, 1.20–1.44), and older age (OR 65–74yrs vs 35–49yrs  = 1.56, 1.21–2.02). In 1999–2003 and 2004–2009, obesity and diabetes were negatively associated with hypertension unawareness, high education was associated with untreated hypertension (OR = 1.45, 1.12–1.88 and 1.42, 1.02–1.99, respectively), and male gender with uncontrolled hypertension (OR = 1.49, 1.03–2.17 and 1.65, 1.08–2.50, respectively). Sedentarity was associated with higher risk of hypertension and uncontrolled hypertension in 1999–2003.

Conclusions

Hypertension prevalence remained stable since 1999 in the canton of Geneva. Although hypertension unawareness substantially decreased, more than half of hypertensive subjects still remained untreated or uncontrolled in 2004–2009. This study identified determinants that should guide interventions aimed at improving hypertension treatment and control.

Sedentary behaviour, physical activity and dietary patterns are independently associated with the metabolic syndrome

AIM

This study assessed the independent relationships of daily sitting time, levels of work and leisure-time physical activity (PA), and dietary patterns of patients with the metabolic syndrome (MetS).

METHODS

This population-based, cross-sectional study included 3090 French subjects aged 35-64 years. Daily time spent sitting and PA levels were assessed by an interview-administered questionnaire, while dietary patterns were identified using the factorial method of principal component analysis. Independent associations of lifestyle behaviours with the MetS were assessed by multivariable logistic-regression models adjusted for age, centre, educational level, smoking status, total calorie intake, heart rate and menopausal status.

RESULTS

The multivariable-adjusted ORs [95% CI] for MetS in the fourth quartile of sitting time and leisure-time PA were 1.65 [1.11-2.44] (P for trend < 0.01) and 0.58 [0.40-0.84] (P for trend < 0.001), respectively, for men, and 2.35 [1.41-3.92] (P for trend < 0.01) and 0.52 [0.33-0.82] (P for trend < 0.01), respectively, for women. Work PA was not favourably related to the MetS, particularly in women. An 'energy-dense' dietary pattern was independently associated with higher ORs for the MetS in both genders. However, accounting for body mass index (BMI) weakened the associations, which otherwise remained significant for leisure-time PA and the energy-dense dietary pattern in men, suggesting that BMI may be a potential mediator of these relationships.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated a dose-response association between sitting time, an energy-dense dietary pattern and the MetS, together with a graded inverse association between leisure-time PA and the MetS. In addition to the usual advice for PA and healthy eating, limiting the amount of time spent sitting should also be promoted through public-health initiatives.

[Use of antihypertensive drugs in France and relationship with cardiovascular disease. FLAHS 2009-2010 surveys]

OBJECTIVE

Describe how antihypertensive drugs are prescribed in France in 2009 and 2010 and assess the effect of the presence of cardiovascular disease on the characteristics of the treatment.

METHODS

The French League Against Hypertension Surveys (FLAHS) are conducted among a representative sample of individuals aged 35 years and older living in France. For the 2009 and 2010 surveys, a sample of 2292 subjects who declared to take one or more antihypertensive drug has been studied. In addition to the details of antihypertensive medications taken the day of the survey, the personal history for cardiovascular diseases was compiled.

RESULTS

Of the 2292 prescriptions with at least one antihypertensive prescription frequencies are: ARB (43%), diuretics (43%), beta-blockers (34%), CCB (26%), ACEI (26%), spironolactone (8%), central and alpha (7%), DRI (1%). The prescription is performed as monotherapy (42%), bitherapy (37%), triple therapy (16%) and quadruple or more (5%). When triple therapy is prescribed, there is an association ACEI or ARB or DRI+Diu+BB in 46%, and an association ACEI or ARB or DRI+Diu+AC in 30%. Cardiovascular disease is present or past reported by 24% of hypertensive patients: coronary artery disease (13%), heart failure (6%), arrhythmias (5%), stroke (4%), PAD (4%). The use of BB is more common in hypertensive patients who have coronary artery disease, heart failure and arrhythmia. ACE inhibitors are more common in hypertensive patients with coronary artery disease, heart failure or stroke. CCB are more frequent in cases of coronary artery disease or PAD. The ARB are less frequent in patients with coronary artery disease.

CONCLUSION

The ARB, diuretics and beta-blockers are the most prescribed antihypertensives in France in 2009 to 2010. Cardiovascular diseases declared in 24% of hypertensives led to a preferential prescription of an ACE inhibitor or BB.

Gender-related differences in the management of hypertension by cardiologists: the PARITE study

BACKGROUND

Several studies have shown gender differences in the management of cardiovascular risk factors and diseases. Whether the management of hypertension by cardiologists in France differs according to patient gender has not been fully investigated.

AIMS

The main objective of this cross-sectional, multicentre study was to examine the management according to gender of hypertensive patients by office-based cardiologists in France.

METHODS

Cardiologists were asked to include consecutively two men and two women attending a routine consultation for essential hypertension. Therapeutic management was evaluated by comparing cardiovascular investigations in the preceding 6 months and hypertension control according to gender and the patients' global cardiovascular risk.

RESULTS

Overall, data from 3440 adult patients (53% men) referred to 654 cardiologists were analysed. Hypertension was uncontrolled in 76% of both men and women and 69% were at high global cardiovascular risk (75% of men, 62% of women; P<0.001). Significantly fewer cardiovascular investigations had been performed in the preceding 6 months in women (22.6% vs 44.2% in men; P<0.001). The treatment regimen was changed by the cardiologist in approximately 50% of patients regardless of gender or global cardiovascular risk.

CONCLUSIONS

The PARITE study shows that in French office-based cardiology practice, the antihypertensive regimen is adjusted as often in female as in male patients. However, the results suggest that there is room for improvement in the investigation of cardiovascular disease in women. Healthcare providers could be encouraged to implement established guidelines on the prevention of cardiovascular disease in women.

[Assessment and characteristics of chronic renal insufficiency in France]

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health issue. In France, few studies have evaluated CKD prevalence. The objective of the MONA LISA study was to estimate and to characterize CKD in three representative cross-sectional surveys in subjects aged 35-74.9 years. CKD was defined as subjects having MDRD glomerular filtration rate lower than 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2). Prevalence of CKD in MONA LISA was standardized according to the French population. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed in order to find independent factors associated to CKD. The French estimate of CKD prevalence was 8.2% (95% confidence interval: 7.4-8.9%), that is 2,454,548 (95% confidence interval: 2,215,080-2,664,082) subjects aged 35-74.9 years. Factors significantly and independently associated to CKD were older age, hypertension and dyslipidemias. In conclusion, the MONA LISA study evaluated for the first time in France CKD prevalence in subjects aged 35-74.9 years. This prevalence probably underestimates the real CKD size due to selection bias present in every representative cross-sectional survey.

Interregional differences in the clinical, biological and electrical characteristics of first acute coronary events in France: results from the MONICA registries

BACKGROUND

In France, there is a large north-to-south, decreasing gradient in case fatality rates of hospitalized patients for an acute coronary event. This gradient may be explained by differences in the presenting patients' clinical, biological and electrocardiographic characteristics.

GOAL

To compare the characteristics of patients hospitalized for an acute episode of coronary insufficiency in three regions of France with contrasting fatality rates.

METHODS

We assessed all men and women (aged 35-74 years) covered by the MONICA registries in three geographical areas (north, east and south-west France) and hospitalized in 2006 for a first acute coronary event. The symptoms, electrocardiogram features, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and troponin levels were systematically transcribed from medical files. Vital status was followed up for one year.

RESULTS

Fatality rates at 28 days and 1 year were higher in the north (7% and 12%, respectively) than in the east (5% and 7%) and in the south-west (2% and 5%). Major symptoms (such as cardiac arrest, acute pulmonary oedema and cardiac shock), altered LVEF and ST+ myocardial infarction (STEMI) were more frequent in the north than in the south-west (all p < 0.0001) - pointing to marked inter-regional differences in the presentation of acute coronary syndromes (ACSs). In multivariate analyses, age, major symptoms, altered LVEF and STEMI remained strongly associated with 28-day lethality, whereas the relationship with geographical area was attenuated. Similar results were observed for 1-year outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical, biological and electrocardiographic presentations of hospitalized incident ACSs differ from one region of France to another. These differences explain (at least in part) the 28-day and 1-year decreasing case fatality gradient in hospitalized patients from northern France to south-western France.

Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in a self-selected sub-Saharan African urban population: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

Hypertension has been established as a major public health problem in Africa, but its specific contributions to disease burden are still incompletely understood. We report the prevalence and determinants of hypertension, detection, treatment and control rates among adults in major cities in Cameroon.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTINGS

Community-based multicentre study in major cities in Cameroon.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants were self-selected urban dwellers from the Center, Littoral, North-West and West Regions, who attended on 17 May 2011 a screening campaign advertised through mass media. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES MEASURES: Hypertension defined as systolic (and/or diastolic) blood pressure (BP)≥ 140 (90) mm Hg, or ongoing BP-lowering medications.

RESULTS

In all, 2120 participants (1003 women) were included. Among them, 1007 (prevalence rate 47.5%) had hypertension, including 319 (awareness rate 31.7%) who were aware of their status. The prevalence of hypertension increased with age overall and by sex and region. Among aware hypertensive participants, 191 (treatment rate 59.9%) were on regular BP-lowering medication, and among those treated, 47 (controlled rate 24.6%) were at target BP levels (ie, systolic (and diastolic) BP<140 (90) mm Hg). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, male gender, advanced age, parental history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, elevated waist and elevated body mass index (BMI) were the significant predictors of hypertension. Likewise, male gender, high BMI and physical inactivity were associated with poor control.

CONCLUSIONS

High prevalence of hypertension with low awareness, treatment and control were found in this urban population; these findings are significant and alarming with consideration to the various improvements in the access to healthcare and the continuing efforts to educate communities over the last few decades.

Modifying effect of arterial hypertension on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Given the high oxygen consumption of motor neurons, we sought to assess the frequency and prognostic value of arterial hypertension (affecting brain's oxygen supply) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We consecutively and prospectively included all ALS patients with regular medical follow-up and documented blood pressure measurements and monitored them until death. Vascular factors diagnosed prior to the onset of motor signs in ALS patients were compared with those in a stratified, age- and gender-matched case-control population. The severity of leukoaraiosis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was blindly assessed. Post mortem examinations were performed when authorized. Compared with controls (n = 408), the 102 ALS patients were significantly more likely to display hypertension (41-57%) and current smoking (15-26%). The number of years of hypertension was associated with survival (HR = 1.04 (1.01-1.07)). In a multivariate analysis, leukoaraiosis severity (HR = 1.214 (1.096-1.344)), current smoking (HR = 1.766 (1.085-2.872)) and low vital capacity (HR = 2.422 (1.266-4.633)) remained independent predictors of survival. Post mortem examinations revealed a greater frequency of leukoaraiosis in ALS patients (p = 0.02). In conclusion, the effect of chronic hypertension on survival might be exerted through abnormal neural perfusion. The higher frequency of recent hypertension in ALS patients may be due to a compensatory increase in blood pressure in response to a lower oxygen supply.

Effects of occupational and educational changes on obesity trends in France: the results of the MONICA-France survey 1986-2006

OBJECTIVE

In the past decade, the obesity prevalence in France steadily increased. In the meantime the occupational and educational status of the population improved. This study examined the impact of these changes on obesity trends in France.

METHODS

In the MONICA-France surveys in 1986, 1996 and 2006, 5423 men and 5271 women (35-64 yr old) were randomly recruited from electoral rolls in three areas of France (northern, eastern and south-western). We used a logistic regression to assess the association between obesity and time and occupational/educational categories and their interactions and a counterfactual analysis to assess the contributions of occupational and educational changes to obesity trends.

RESULTS

Between 1986 and 2006, the prevalence of obesity rose from 15.0% to 18.4% (p < 0.004) in men and remained stable between 15.9% and 17.2% (p = 0.72) in women. Obesity increased in all occupational categories only in men (men: p = 0.0005; women: p < 0.22) and all educational categories in both genders (p < 0.0001). The estimated contributions of occupational (educational) changes to obesity trends were -0.3% (-2.8%) in men and -1.9% (-4.6%) in women.

CONCLUSION

The improvement in the French population's occupational status and educational level between 1986 and 2006 tended to reduce the impact of secular trends on the obesity prevalence.