Race differences in the physical and psychological impact of hypertension labeling

A Multifaceted Implementation Strategy to Increase Out-of-Office Blood Pressure Monitoring: The EMBRACE Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Few primary care patients complete guideline-recommended out-of-office blood pressure (BP) monitoring prior to having hypertension diagnosed.

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of a behavioral theory-informed, multifaceted implementation strategy on out-of-office BP monitoring (ambulatory BP monitoring [ABPM] or home BP monitoring [HBPM]) among patients with new hypertension.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This 2-group, pre-post cluster randomized trial was conducted within a primary care network of 8 practices (4 intervention practices with 99 clinicians; 4 control practices with 55 clinicians) and 1186 patients (857 intervention; 329 control) with at least 1 visit with elevated office BP and no prior hypertension diagnosis between October 2016 and September 2017 (preimplementation period) or between April 2018 and March 2019 (postimplementation period). Data were analyzed from February to July 2023.

Interventions

Usual care (control group) or a multifaceted implementation strategy consisting of an accessible ABPM service; electronic health record (EHR) tools to facilitate test ordering; clinician education, reminders, and feedback relevant to out-of-office BP monitoring; nurse training on HBPM; and patient information handouts.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was patient completion of out-of-office BP monitoring within 6 months of an eligible visit. Secondary outcomes included clinician ordering of out-of-office BP monitoring. Blinded assessors extracted outcomes from the EHR.

Results

A total of 1186 patients (857 intervention; 329 control) were included, with a mean (SD) age of 54 (16) years; 808 (68%) were female, and 549 (48%) were Spanish speaking; among those with race and ethnicity documented, 123 (10%) were Black or African American, and 368 (31%) were Hispanic. Among intervention practices, the percentage of visits resulting in completed out-of-office BP monitoring increased from 0.6% (0% ABPM; 0.6% HBPM) to 5.7% (3.7% ABPM; 2.0% HBPM) between the preimplementation and postimplementation periods (P = .009). Among control practices, the percentage of visits resulting in completed out-of-office BP monitoring changed from 5.4% (0% ABPM; 5.4% HBPM) to 4.3% (0% ABPM; 4.3% HBPM) during the corresponding period (P = .94). The ratio of relative risks (RRs) of out-of-office BP monitoring in the postimplementation vs preimplementation periods for intervention vs control practices was 10.5 (95% CI, 1.9-58.0; P = .01). The ratio of RRs of out-of-office BP monitoring being ordered was 2.2 (95% CI, 0.8-6.3; P = .12).

Conclusions and Relevance

This study found that a theory-informed implementation strategy that included access to ABPM modestly increased out-of-office BP monitoring among patients with elevated office BP but no hypertension diagnosis.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03480217.

Symptom experiences in hypertension: a mixed methods systematic review

AIM

Understanding patients' hypertension (HTN) symptoms can assist healthcare professionals' awareness of individual, cultural, and behavioral responses and improve diagnostic accuracy to optimize treatment. The purpose of this review was to evaluate and synthesize current literature exploring HTN symptoms.

METHODS

Databases searched included MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL (EBSCO), Scopus, and Web of Science from January 2010 to January 2022. The search followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. The McMaster critical review forms were used to determine the quality of both qualitative and quantitative articles. Synthesis of the data was guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute Convergent Integrated Approach to Mixed Study Systematic Reviews.

RESULTS

In total, 41 articles were included, nine qualitative studies and 32 quantitative. The quality of the articles varied. Symptoms included commonly reported symptoms and some less prevalent, including some reporting absence of symptoms. Factors that affected symptoms included culture, beliefs, psychosocial factors, and knowledge. We also found that there may be a bidirectional relationship between symptoms and behaviors that may lead to self-management.

CONCLUSION

HTN is common and symptoms are frequently reported. HTN management is related to multiple factors. Symptoms continue in a number of individuals after initial diagnosis. Evaluating symptoms after initial diagnosis may help to optimally manage and meet blood pressure guidelines.

‘People say it is dangerous’

Introduction: Mild hypertension is a common asymptomatic condition present in people at low risk of future cardiovascular events. These people represent approximately two-thirds of those diagnosed with hypertension. The best available evidence does not support pharmacological treatment for mild hypertension to reduce cardiovascular mortality. Additionally, overdetection of hypertension also occurs, and this practice is supported by public awareness campaigns, screening, easy access to testing, and poor clinical practice, enhancing the overdiagnosis potential. Moreover, sparse qualitative patient-oriented evidence that diagnosing hypertension has harmful consequences is observed. Therefore, evidence regarding the potential for unintended psychosocial effects of diagnosing mild hypertension is required. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate if diagnosing low-risk people with mild hypertension has unintended psychosocial consequences. Methods: Eleven semi-structured single interviews and four focus groups were conducted in São Paulo, Brazil, among people diagnosed with mild hypertension without comorbidities. Informants were selected among the general population from a list of patients, a primary healthcare clinic, or a social network. The informants had a broad range of characteristics, including sex, age, education level, race/skin colour, and time from diagnosis. Data were subjected to qualitative thematic content analysis by three of the authors independently, followed by discussions, to generate categories and themes. Results: The informants confirmed that the hypertension diagnosis was a label for psychosomatic reactions to stress, medicalised illness experiences, and set a biographical milestone. We observed unintended consequences of the diagnosis in a broad range of psychosocial dimensions, for example, fear of death, disabilities, or ageing; pressure and control from significant others; and guilt, shame, and anxiety regarding work and leisure. Although informants had a broad range of characteristics, they shared similar stories, understandings, and labelling effects of the diagnosis. Conclusion: The diagnosis of hypertension is a significant event and affects daily life. Most of the impact is regarded as negative psychosocial consequences or harm; however, sometimes the impact might be ambiguous. Patients’ explanatory models are key elements in understanding and changing the psychosocial consequences of the diagnosis, and healthcare providers must be aware of explanatory models and psychosocial consequences when evaluating blood pressure elevations.

Changes in the prevalence of measures associated with hypertension among Iranian adults according to classification by ACC/AHA guideline 2017

Background

Different definitions have been proposed to categorize hypertension. We aimed to investigate the difference in prevalence of measures associated with hypertension according to the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) criteria versus Joint National Committee 7 (JNC7) criteria.

Methods

We analyzed the data of 10,000 participants of Yazd Health Study (YaHS) aged 20–69 years. Blood pressure was measured three times with standard protocol defined by ACC/AHA. Prevalence of high blood pressure measure was compared in both definitions and absolute differences reported.

Results

The prevalence of high blood pressure in our measurement was 61.0% according to ACC/AHA, and 28.9% according to JNC 7. The prevalence of self-reported hypertension was 18.6%. Age and sex standardized prevalence rates of high blood pressure measure indicates a 2.4-fold increase in the prevalence rate (30.1% absolute difference) by the ACC/AHA guideline. While the prevalence increased in all age groups, the age group of 20–29 showed the highest relative increase by 3.6 times (10.6% vs. 38.1%). High blood pressure measure among people with diabetes increased from 45.8 to 75.3% with the ACC/AHA guideline. Of the people who had no past history of diagnosed hypertension (n = 7887), 55.1 and 22.7% had high blood pressure measure by ACC/AHA and JNC-7 guidelines, respectively. From JNC7 to ACC/AHA, the overall difference in unawareness about HTN increased by 32.4%.

Conclusion

Prevalence of hypertension associated measures increased over two folds by using the ACC/AHA criteria compared to JNC 7. Also, change in the criteria, reduces awareness of the disease and increases uncontrolled hypertension respectively. More research is needed to determine if the new definitions can affect management of hypertension in societies. Considering local priorities and implication of cost effective may improve implementation of new definitions for hypertension in different countries.

Antihypertensive treatment and depressive symptoms in Chinese middle-aged and older hypertensive adults: A population-based longitudinal study

OBJECTIVES

Hypertension is a risk factor for depressive disorders. Although the benefits of lowering blood pressure on the subsequent depressive disorders are supported by biological interpretation, the effect of antihypertensive therapies on depressive disorders is not clear. This study aimed to assess whether blood-pressure-lowering treatment have a protective effect on subsequent depressive symptoms in China.

METHODS

We used data from the nationally representative survey, including 2428 hypertensive participants free from depressive symptoms at baseline in 2011 to 2012. We assessed the depressive symptoms based on the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale. We conducted Cox proportional hazards regression models to examine the effect of antihypertensive treatment on the incidence of depressive symptoms in 2011 to 2015.

RESULTS

In the total sample, all the models resulted in nonsignificant results and an estimated 8% reduction in risk (95% CI, 0·76-1·12) in the model adjusted for all covariates for the antihypertensive treatment takers with blood pressure controlled. In the group of urban residents, the antihypertensive treatment takers with blood pressure controlled had lower odds (HR: 0.68; 95% CI, 0·49-0·96) of depressive disorders.

CONCLUSION

The protective effect of the antihypertensive therapies might be relative to not only lowering blood pressure per se but also the management of hypertension. We proposed the early intervention to achieve the long-term protective effect of being antihypertensive and the supply of effective and collaborative care of hypertension and depression.

Health Inequalities amongst People of African Descent in the Americas, 2005-2017: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Ethnic inequalities are often associated with social determinants of health. This study seeks to identify the latest scientific evidence on inequalities in the health of people of African descent in the Americas. For this, a systematic review of the literature on health and people of African descent in the Americas was carried out in the LILACS, PubMed, MEDLINE, and IBECS databases. Institutional and academic repositories were also consulted. Evidence was obtained on the presence and persistence of health inequalities in the population of African descent in the Americas from the identification of five types of quantitative and qualitative evidence: (1) ethnic/racial concept and variables; (2) relations with other social determinants; (3) health risks; (4) barriers and inequalities in health services; and, (5) morbi-mortality from chronic diseases. Studies with qualitative methods revealed invisibility, stereotypes, and rejection or exclusion as main factors of inequality. This review evidenced the existence of health inequalities, its interconnection with other adverse social determinants and risk factors, and its generation and perpetuation by discrimination, marginalization, and social disadvantage. These conditions make people of African descent a priority population group for action on equity, as demanded by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Hypertension, socioeconomic status and depressive symptoms in Chinese middle-aged and older adults: Findings from the China health and retirement longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to examine the effect of diagnosed hypertension on depressive symptoms and socioeconomic status (SES) as moderator in the effect in middle-aged and older adults in China.

METHODS

We used data from the nationally representative survey of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, including 6273 participants free from depressive symptoms at baseline in 2011-12. We assessed the depressive symptoms based on the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale. We conducted Cox proportional hazards regression models to examine the effect of baseline diagnosed hypertension status on the subsequent depressive symptoms in 2011-15 with the report of Hazards ratios (HRs).

RESULTS

The diagnosed hypertensive participants were more likely to have depressive symptoms than non-hypertensive peers (HR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.02-1.23) after adjusted for controlled variables. The effect only occurred in the group of low SES, with rural residency (HR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.02-1.26), below-average household income (HR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.02-1.26) and primary school or below educational attainment (HR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.00-1.25).

LIMITATIONS

Measures of the onset or duration of hypertension were not included, which may modify the estimated effects on depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnosed hypertension is a chronic stressor leading to depressive disorders, and the responses to this stressor merely occurred among the low socioeconomic individuals. Our findings underscored the importance of examining the connection between mental and physical health in the context of aging and shed lights on the action to developing strategies for detection and management of hypertension that could cause psychological stress, which may contribute to fighting against depressive symptoms, especially in the low SES population.

Neighborhood disorder, exposure to violence, and perceived discrimination in relation to symptoms in midlife women

BACKGROUND

Some symptoms at midlife are associated with stress, such as hot flashes, trouble sleeping, headaches, or depressed mood. Hot flashes have been studied in relation to laboratory stressors, physiological biomarkers, and self-reported stress, but less is known about hot flashes in relation to the larger context of women's lives. This study examined the risk of symptoms in relation to neighborhood disorder, exposure to neighborhood violence, social cohesion and perceived discrimination. We hypothesized that women exposed to more negative neighborhood characteristics and discrimination would be more likely to report hot flashes and other midlife symptoms.

METHODS

Participants were black and white women, aged 40 to 60, drawn from a cross-sectional investigation of race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and blood pressure in New York City (n = 139). Demographic information, medical history, menopausal status, and symptoms were measured by questionnaire. Likert scales were used to measure neighborhood characteristics, specifically, the Neighborhood Disorder Scale, the Exposure to Violence Scale, the Perceived Violence Subscale, the Neighborhood Social Cohesion and Trust Scale, and the Everyday Discrimination Scale. Ten symptoms were included in analyses: lack of energy, feeling blue/depressed, backaches, headaches, aches/stiffness in joints, shortness of breath, hot flashes, trouble sleeping, nervous tension, and pins/needles in hands/feet. Each scale with each symptom outcome was examined using logistic regression analyses adjusting for significant covariates.

RESULTS

Black women reported higher scores on all negative neighborhood characteristics and discrimination, and a lower score on the positive Neighborhood Social Cohesion and Trust. Neighborhood Disorder was associated with feeling blue/depressed, aches/stiffness in joints, and hot flashes, and Perceived Violence was associated with aches/stiffness in joints, after controlling for model-specific covariates. There was a lower risk of backaches with increasing Neighborhood Social Cohesion and Trust score. The Everyday Discrimination Scale was associated with lack of energy. Lack of energy, feeling blue/depressed, aches/stiffness in joints, and hot flashes appeared to be most vulnerable to negative neighborhood context and discrimination.

CONCLUSIONS

This study adds to the literature linking neighborhood environments to health outcomes. The associations between negative neighborhood contexts and discrimination with diverse symptoms, and the association between social cohesion and back pain, point to the need to expand analyses of stress to multiple physiological systems.

A Comparison of the Diagnostic Accuracy of Common Office Blood Pressure Measurement Protocols

BACKGROUND

The optimal approach to measuring office blood pressure (BP) is uncertain. We aimed to compare BP measurement protocols that differed based on numbers of readings within and between visits and by assessment method.

METHODS

We enrolled a sample of 707 employees without known hypertension or cardiovascular disease, and obtained 6 standardized BP readings during each of 3 office visits at least 1 week apart, using mercury sphygmomanometer and BpTRU oscillometric devices (18 readings per participant) for a total of 12,645 readings. We used confirmatory factor analysis to develop a model estimating "true" office BP that could be used to compare the probability of correctly classifying participants' office BP status using differing numbers and types of office BP readings.

RESULTS

Averaging 2 systolic BP readings across 2 visits correctly classified participants as having BP below or above the 140 mm Hg threshold at least 95% of the time if the averaged reading was <134 or >149 mm Hg, respectively. Our model demonstrated that more confidence was gained by increasing the number of visits with readings than by increasing the number of readings within a visit. No clinically significant confidence was gained by dropping the first reading vs. averaging all readings, nor by measuring with a manual mercury device vs. with an automated oscillometric device.

CONCLUSIONS

Averaging 2 BP readings across 2 office visits appeared to best balance increased confidence in office BP status with efficiency of BP measurement, though the preferred measurement strategy may vary with the clinical context.

Living with Hypertension: A Qualitative Research

BACKGROUND

Hypertension affects many aspects of the patients' life. Factors such as attitudes, beliefs and experiences, and social and cultural conditions of patients have effective roles in hypertension treatment process. The aim of this research was to explore perspectives and experiences of patients with hypertension while living with this disease.

METHODS

This is a qualitative research using content analysis approach. 27 hypertensive patients who referred to hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences were selected based on purposive sampling, and semi-structured interviews were carried out. Graneheim and Lundman's approach was used for analysis of data and Lincoln and Guba's criteria were used to confirm the trustworthiness of the study's findings.

RESULTS

Experiences of the participants were divided into three main categories as follows: (1) disease shadow; (2) dual understanding of the effect of drug therapy consisting of two sub-categories known as ''perceived benefits,'' ''negative consequences''; and (3) facing the disease that includes the two subcategories of ''Compatibility'' and ''Negligence and denial''.

CONCLUSION

Based on the findings, patients with hypertension had experienced many physical, psychological, social, familial and spiritual problems due to the disease and their cultural context. These patients obtained positive experiences following the compatibility with hypertension. Comprehensive planning tailored to the cultural, social context and their beliefs is necessary to solve problems in these patients.

Quality of Life in Treatment-Resistant Hypertension

Treatment-resistant hypertension (TRH) is an increasingly common and clinically challenging hypertension phenotype associated with adverse impact on cardiovascular events and death. Recent evidence, although limited, suggests that TRH may also adversely affect health-related quality of life (HrQoL) and other patient-reported outcomes. However, the precise mechanisms for this link remain unknown. A number of recent studies focusing on both the general hypertensive population and those with TRH suggest that patient awareness of difficult-to-control blood pressure, chronically elevated blood pressure levels, and the use of aggressive medication regimens with attendant cumulative adverse effects may play significant roles. This review summarizes the existing literature on HrQoL in persons with TRH, highlights literature from the general hypertensive population with relevance to TRH, and discusses important remaining questions regarding HrQoL in persons with TRH.

Race and Ethnic Group Differences in Comorbid Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Chronic Medical Conditions

This study tested whether race and ethnic group differences exist for lifetime major depressive disorder and/or general anxiety disorder with one or more chronic medical conditions. Data from the National Survey of American Life, which included 3570 African American, 1438 Caribbean Black, and 891 non-Hispanic White adults were analyzed. Outcomes included at least one and multiple chronic medical conditions, from a list of 14 medical conditions (e.g., arthritis, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, stroke, heart disease, etc.). Logistic regressions were fitted to data to determine how the association between major depressive disorder, general anxiety disorder, and one or more chronic medical conditions vary across race and ethnicity. Lifetime major depressive disorder (but not lifetime general anxiety disorder) was associated with at least one chronic medical condition among African Americans and Caribbean Blacks, but not non-Hispanic Whites. Lifetime major depressive disorder was similarly associated with multiple chronic medical conditions among African Americans, Caribbean Blacks, and non-Hispanic Whites. For Caribbean Blacks, stronger associations were found between major depressive disorder and general anxiety disorder with one or more chronic medical conditions compared to African Americans and non-Hispanic Whites. Findings suggest that race and ethnicity may shape the links between comorbid psychiatric disorders and chronic medical conditions. Mental health screening of individuals with chronic medical conditions in primary health-care settings may benefit from tailoring based on race and ethnicity. More research is needed to understand why associations between physical and mental health vary among race and ethnic groups.

Associação entre a qualidade de vida e adesão à medicação de indivíduos hipertensos

Objetivo Avaliar a associação entre a qualidade de vida e a adesão a medicação de indivíduos hipertensos. Métodos Estudo transversal, realizado com 432 hipertensos cadastrados em sistema informatizado público federal. Os dados foram coletados no domicilio por entrevista estruturada com questões relacionadas a variáveis socioeconômicas, clínicas, avaliação da adesão ao tratamento e o WHOQOL-BREF para a qualidade de vida. Utilizou-se o teste de H de Kruskal-Wallis para medir a associação entre as escalas da qualidade de vida e a classificação da adesão ao tratamento. Resultados Os escores mais baixos estavam presente no domínio autoavaliação e os mais altos foram encontrados no social. Os indivíduos que possuíam adesão extrema ao tratamento anti-hipertensivo apresentaram escores mais altos na avaliação da qualidade de vida em comparação com indivíduos classificados como não adesão extrema ao tratamento anti-hipertensivo. Conclusão A associação entre a qualidade de vida e adesão a medicação em indivíduos hipertensos não foi preditiva, sendo que os melhores escores estavam presentes nos indivíduos hipertensos que apresentaram alta adesão a medicação e os piores escores da qualidade de vida se apresentaram nos indivíduos de não adesão extrema e limítrofe a não adesão total.

Reducing racial and ethnic disparities in hypertension prevention and control: what will it take to translate research into practice and policy?

INTRODUCTION

Despite available, effective therapies, racial and ethnic disparities in care and outcomes of hypertension persist. Several interventions have been tested to reduce disparities; however, their translation into practice and policy is hampered by knowledge gaps and limited collaboration among stakeholders.

METHODS

We characterized factors influencing disparities in blood pressure (BP) control by levels of an ecological model. We then conducted a literature search using PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL databases to identify interventions targeted toward reducing disparities in BP control, categorized them by the levels of the model at which they were primarily targeted, and summarized the evidence regarding their effectiveness.

RESULTS

We identified 39 interventions and several state and national policy initiatives targeted toward reducing racial and ethnic disparities in BP control, 5 of which are ongoing. Most had patient populations that were majority African-American. Of completed interventions, 27 demonstrated some improvement in BP control or related process measures, and 7 did not; of the 6 studies examining disparities, 3 reduced, 2 increased, and 1 had no effect on disparities.

CONCLUSIONS

Several effective interventions exist to improve BP in racial and ethnic minorities; however, evidence that they reduce disparities is limited, and many groups are understudied. To strengthen the evidence and translate it into practice and policy, we recommend rigorous evaluation of pragmatic, sustainable, multilevel interventions; institutional support for training implementation researchers and creating broad partnerships among payers, patients, providers, researchers, policymakers, and community-based organizations; and balance and alignment in the priorities and incentives of each stakeholder group.

Ethnicity and differences between clinic and ambulatory blood pressure measurements

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the relationship of ethnicity to the differences between blood pressure (BP) measured in a clinic setting and by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in individuals with a previous diagnosis of hypertension (HT) and without a previous diagnosis of hypertension (NHT).

METHODS

A cross-sectional comparison of BP measurement was performed in 770 participants (white British (WB, 39%), South Asian (SA, 31%), and African Caribbean (AC, 30%)) in 28 primary care clinics in West Midlands, United Kingdom. Mean differences between daytime ABPM, standardized clinic (mean of 3 occasions), casual clinic (first reading on first occasion), and last routine BP taken at the general practitioner practice were compared in HT and NHT individuals.

RESULTS

Daytime systolic and diastolic ABPM readings were similar to standardized clinic BP (systolic: 128 (SE 0.9) vs. 125 (SE 0.9) mm Hg (NHT) and 132 (SE 0.7) vs. 131 (SE 0.7) mm Hg (HT)) and were not associated with ethnicity to a clinically important extent. When BP was taken less carefully, differences emerged: casual clinic readings were higher than ABPM, particularly in the HT group where the systolic differences approached clinical relevance (131 (SE 1.2) vs. 129 (SE 1.0) mm Hg (NHT) and 139 (SE 0.9) vs. 133 (SE 0.7) mm Hg (HT)) and were larger in SA and AC hypertensive individuals (136 (SE 1.5) vs. 133 (SE 1.2) mm Hg (WB), 141 (SE 1.7) vs. 133 (SE 1.4) mm Hg (SA), and 142 (SE 1.6) vs. 134 (SE 1.3) mm Hg (AC); mean differences: 3 (0-7), P = 0.03 and 4 (1-7), P = 0.01, respectively). Differences were also observed for the last practice reading in SA and ACs.

CONCLUSIONS

BP differences between ethnic groups where BP is carefully measured on multiple occasions are small and unlikely to alter clinical management. When BP is measured casually on a single occasion or in routine care, differences appear that could approach clinical relevance.

Racial differences in abnormal ambulatory blood pressure monitoring measures: Results from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study

BACKGROUND

Several ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) measures have been associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk independent of clinic blood pressure (BP). African Americans have higher clinic BP compared with Whites but few data are available on racial differences in ABPM measures.

METHODS

We compared ABPM measures between African American (n = 178) and White (n = 103) participants at the Year 5 Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study visit. BP was measured during a study visit and the second and third measurements were averaged. ABPM was conducted over the following 24 hours.

RESULTS

Mean ± SD age of participants was 29.8 ± 3.8 years and 30.8 ± 3.5 years for African Americans and Whites, respectively. Mean daytime systolic BP (SBP) was 3.90 (SD 1.18) mm Hg higher among African Americans compared with Whites (P < 0.001) after age-gender adjustment and 1.71 (SD 1.03) mm Hg higher after multivariable adjustment including mean clinic SBP (P = 0.10). After multivariable adjustment including mean clinic SBP, nighttime SBP was 4.83 (SD 1.11) mm Hg higher among African Americans compared with Whites (P < 0.001). After multivariable adjustment, the African Americans were more likely than Whites to have nocturnal hypertension (prevalence ratio: 2.44, 95% CI: 0.99-6.05) and nondipping (prevalence ratio: 2.50, 95% CI: 1.39-4.48). The prevalence of masked hypertension among African Americans and Whites was 4.4% and 2.1%, respectively, (P = 0.49) and white coat hypertension was 3.3% and 3.9%, respectively (P = 0.99). Twenty-four hour BP variability on ABPM was higher among African Americans compared with Whites.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest racial differences in several ABPM measures exist.

Dry eye specific quality of life in veterans using glaucoma drops

PURPOSE

To evaluate the frequency of ocular surface symptoms and their potential impact on dry eye specific quality of life (QoL) in patients using versus not using glaucoma medications.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was a single-center, cross-sectional survey of patients seen at the Miami Veterans Affairs (VA) ophthalmology and optometry clinics from June to August, 2010. Patients were invited to complete the Dry Eye Questionnaire 5 (DEQ5) and the Impact of Dry Eye on Everyday Life (IDEEL) at their visit. Of 1348 patients seen in the Miami VA eye clinics during this three-month period, 467 patients completed the DEQ5 and 391 responded to both questionnaires. Outcome measures comprised ocular surface symptoms and their impact on dry eye specific QoL in patients using versus not using glaucoma drops.

RESULTS

An increasing number of glaucoma drops was significantly associated with an increased percentage of severe dry eye symptoms: no medications, 25% (n=89/353); 1 or 2 medications, 27% (n=17/62); 3 or more medications, 40% (n=21/52); p=0.03 (Armitage's test for linear-trend in proportions). There was an association between increasing number of drops and decreasing emotional well-being scores (linear p<0.001; quadratic p=0.029). Black patients had higher dry eye symptoms and lower emotional QoL scores compared to white patients at every level of medication use.

CONCLUSION

An increasing number of glaucoma medications were associated with an increased frequency of severe dry eye symptoms and decreased emotional QoL. Additionally, dry eye specific emotional QoL was more severely affected in black versus white patients.

Race and Ethnic Differences in the Associations between Cardiovascular Diseases, Anxiety, and Depression in the United States

INTRODUCTION

Although cardiovascular diseases and psychiatric disorders are linked, it is not yet known if such links are independent of comorbid medical diseases and if these associations depend on race and ethnicity. This study aimed to determine if the associations between cardiovascular diseases with general anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depressive episode (MDE) are independent of comorbid medical diseases and if these links differ among African Americans, Caribbean Blacks, and Non-Hispanic Whites.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study enrolled African American, Caribbean Black, and Non-Hispanic White adults who had participated in the National Survey of American Life (NSAL), 2001 - 2003. Data on socioeconomics (age, sex, and education level) were collected. Self-reported physician diagnosed cardiovascular diseases (heart disease, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and stroke) and chronic medical conditions (peptic ulcer, cancer, diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, asthma, other chronic respiratory diseases, sickle cell anemia, and glaucoma) were measured. The 12month GAD and MDE were measured using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Logistic regressions were fitted to data to determine if the associations between cardiovascular diseases and 12-month GAD and 12-month MDE are independent of socio-economic status and comorbid chronic medical diseases across race and ethnic groups.

RESULTS

Above and beyond other medical conditions, heart disease and atherosclerosis were associated with 12-month GAD among Caribbean Blacks, but not African Americans or non-Hispanic Whites. Hypertension was associated with 12-month MDE among African Americans, and heart disease was associated with 12-month MDE among Caribbean Blacks. None of the cardiovascular diseases were associated with 12-month MDE among non-Hispanic Whites, while all the other medical conditions were controlled.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed race and ethnicity may be associated with specific patterns of comorbidity between cardiovascular diseases and 12month MDE and GAD. By other words, the link between psychiatric disorders and cardiovascular diseases may depend on race and ethnicity. More research is needed to explore the behavioral and mental health profile of individuals with heart disease based on race and ethnicity. Race and ethnicity should inform mental health evaluation of patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Chronic Kidney Disease, Anxiety and Depression among American Blacks; Does Ethnicity Matter?

INTRODUCTION

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is known to be associated with deterioration of mental health. However, it is clear that this link is over and beyond the effects of socio-economic factors and other medical conditions. This study had two aims: 1) to compare the association between CKD and general anxiety disorder (GAD) among the two major ethnic groups of American Blacks (e.g. African Americans and Caribbean Blacks), and 2) to compare the association between CKD and major depressive episode (MDE) between African Americans and Caribbean Blacks.

METHODS

We analyzed data from African Americans and Caribbean Blacks who participated in the National Survey of American Life (NSAL). Self-reported physician diagnosis of CKD was the independent variable. Outcomes were 12- month GAD and MDE measured by the World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), a fully structured diagnostic interview. Ethnic-specific logistic regressions were used to determine the associations between CKD and 12- month GAD and MDE, after controlling for the effects of age, sex, educational level, and 13 other medical conditions.

RESULTS

Although CKD was positively associated with GAD and MDE in bivariate analysis, this association did not remain statistically significant in the multivariate analysis which controlled for socio-economic factors and other medical conditions. The study suggested that the main confounders for the association between CKD, GAD, and MDE vary based on ethnicity. For instance, the chronic medical condition that may play the role of confounder for the association between CKD and 12-month GAD among African Americans and Caribbean Blacks might be hypertension and heart disease, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Possible confounders of the associations between CKD and GAD and MDE among American Blacks vary by ethnicity. Further research is needed to determine the links between different types of CKD and poor mental health among American Blacks. Consideration of ethnicity might be important in evaluation and treatment of mental health problems among Black patients with CKD.

Race and Sex Differences in Correlates of Systolic Blood Pressure in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

OBJECTIVES

To describe correlates of measured systolic blood pressure (SBP) among community-dwelling older African American and White Medicare beneficiaries.

METHODS

Participants completed an in-home assessment and factors significantly correlated with SBP were tested using multivariable models.

RESULTS

Among the 958 participants (mean age= 75.3 [SD = 6.8]; 49% African American; 49% female; 52% rural) African Americans were more often diagnosed with hypertension, more likely on anti-hypertensives, and on more anti-hypertensive medications. SBP was 2.7 mmHg higher in African Americans than Whites (p=.03). SBP was higher in women than men. Multivariable models revealed differences in the factors associated with SBP by race/sex specific groups. Having a history of smoking and reports of being relaxed and free of tension were associated with higher SBP among African American men.

DISCUSSION

Although more likely prescribed anti-hypertensives, mean SBP was higher for older African Americans than Whites. Results support the hypothesis that behavioral and psychosocial factors are more important correlates of SBP levels among older African Americans than among Whites.

Are there consequences of labeling patients with prehypertension? An experimental study of effects on blood pressure and quality of life

OBJECTIVE

The prehypertension classification was introduced to facilitate prevention efforts among patients at increased risk for hypertension. Although patients who have been told that they have hypertension report worse outcomes than unaware hypertensives, little is known about whether or not prehypertension labeling has negative effects. We evaluated the effects of labeling individuals with prehypertension on blood pressure and health-related quality of life three months later.

METHODS

One hundred adults (aged 19 to 82 [mean=40.0] years; 54% women; 64% racial/ethnic minorities) with screening blood pressure in the prehypertensive range (120-139/80-89 mmHg) and no history of diagnosis or treatment of elevated blood pressure were randomly assigned to either a "Labeled" group in which they were informed of their prehypertension, or an "Unlabeled" group in which they were not informed. Subjects underwent office blood pressure measurement, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and completed self-report questionnaires at baseline and at three months.

RESULTS

Multilevel mixed effects regression analyses indicated that changes in the white coat effect, office blood pressure, mean daytime ambulatory blood pressure, and physical and mental health did not differ significantly between the two groups. Adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity and body mass index did not affect the results.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that labeling patients with prehypertension does not have negative effects on blood pressure or quality of life. Additional research is needed to develop approaches to communicating with patients about their blood pressure that will maximize the clinical and public health impact of the prehypertension classification.