Prevalence and control of high blood pressure in primary care: results from the German Metabolic and Cardiovascular Risk Study (GEMCAS)

Digital redesign of hypertension management with practice and patient apps for blood pressure control (PIA study): A cluster-randomised controlled trial in general practices

BACKGROUND

Long-term hypertension control prevents heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases, yet implementation is insufficient worldwide. The redesign of hypertension management by information and communication technology (ICT) improved hypertension control, e.g., by transmission of blood pressure (BP) measurements to a central webspace. However, an easy-to-use secure patient app connected with a practice management centre is lacking. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the newly developed PIA (PC-supported case management of hypertensive patients to implement guideline-based hypertension therapy using a physician-defined and -supervised, patient-specific therapeutic algorithm) intervention with PIA-ICT and eLearning for general practices.

METHODS

The effectiveness of the PIA intervention was evaluated in a cluster-randomised study. Practices were randomly allocated (1:1) to the intervention or the control group (usual care). Group allocation was unmasked for participants and researchers. The primary outcome was the BP control rate (BP < 140/90 mmHg) after 6-12 months. Secondary outcomes included BP changes and satisfaction with PIA-ICT. The trial is registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00012680).

FINDINGS

Starting from December 1, 2019, 64 general practices were recruited over 1 year during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, 848 patients were enrolled between April 15, 2020 and March 31, 2021. The study was completed Sept 30, 2021. At baseline, 636 patients (intervention: 331; control: 305) of 50 general practices met the inclusion criteria. The final dataset for analyses comprised 47 practices and 525 patients (intervention 265; control 260). In the adjusted hierarchical model, the PIA intervention increased the BP control rate significantly by 23.1% points (95% CI: 5.4-40.8%): intervention 59.8% (95% CI: 47.4-71.0%) compared to 36.7% (95% CI: 24.9-50.3%) in the control group. Systolic BP decreased by 21.1 mmHg in the intervention and 15.5 mmHg in the control group.

INTERPRETATION

The PIA redesign of care processes improved BP in an outcome-relevant way. Prospectively, it may constitute an important model for hypertension care in Germany.

FUNDING

This study is funded by the German Innovation Fund (Grant number: 01NVF17002).

[Factors associated with poor blood pressure control in Moroccan hypertensive patients]

STUDY AIM

Hypertension is a major public health concern worldwide and non-controlling it can lead to various cardiovascular complications. Controlling blood pressure and reducing overall cardiovascular risk are two main goals of treatment. Thus, this study aimed to determine the proportion and factors associated with uncontrolled hypertension in hypertensive patients living in the Beni Mellal city.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The cross-sectional survey took place between June and March 2019. It involved 580 hypertensive patients attending the primary health care facilities in Beni Mellal city, using systematic sampling.

RESULTS

A total of 580 hypertensive patients were recruited, with a mean age of 55.78 (± 10.82 years) and of which 66.89% were female. The proportion of poor blood pressure control was 74.1% and was associated in multivariate analysis with a family history of hypertension(OR = 1.60; 95% CI = [1.02-2.50]), dyslipidemia (OR = 2.05; 95% CI = [1.32 -3.20]), non-adherence to a regular BP measurement (OR = 4.13; 95% CI = [2.49 -6.86]), to treatment (OR = 3.64; 95% CI = [2.34-5.65]) and regular biological monitoring (OR = 2.45; 95% CI = [1.46-4.08]).

CONCLUSION

Despite the free and available of treatment, the proportion of uncontrolled hypertension was high. This might be linked to a lack of awareness and education concerning disease self-management.

Blood pressure control in Australian general practice: analysis using general practice records of 1.2 million patients from the MedicineInsight database

INTRODUCTION

Hypertension is mostly managed in primary care. This study investigated the prevalence of diagnosed hypertension in Australian general practice and whether hypertension control is influenced by sociodemographic characteristics, duration since diagnosis or prescription of antihypertensive medications.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study using a large national database of electronic medical records of patients attending general practice in 2017 (MedicineInsight).

RESULTS

Of 1.2 million 'regular' patients (one or more consultations per year in every year from 2015 to 2017), 39.8% had a diagnosis of hypertension (95% confidence interval 38.7-40.9). Of these, 85.3% had their blood pressure (BP) recorded in 2017, and 54.9% (95% confidence interval 54.2-55.5) had controlled hypertension (<140/90 mmHg). BP control was lower in females (54.1%) compared with males (55.7%) and in the oldest age group (52.0%), with no differences by socioeconomic status. Hypertension control was lower among 'regular' patients recently diagnosed (6-12 months = 48.6% controlled) relative to those more than 12 months since diagnosis (1-2 years = 53.6%; 3-5 years 55.5%; >5 years = 55.0%). Among recently diagnosed 'regular' patients, 59.2% had no record of being prescribed antihypertensive therapy in the last 6 months of the study, of which 44.3% had controlled hypertension. For those diagnosed more than 5 years ago, 37.4% had no record of being prescribed antihypertensive patients, and 56% had normal BP levels.

CONCLUSION

Although the prevalence of hypertension varied by socidemographics, there were no differences in BP assessment or control by socioeconomic status. Hypertension control remains a challenge in primary care, and electronic medical records provide an opportunity to assess hypertension management.

The Impact of the Associated Pathology in Acute Coronary Events

Acute coronary events (ACE) are one of the main concerns for both clinical medicine and prophylaxis. The study aims to follow the frequency of the pathology associated with ACE and to establish its association with the occurrence of ACE. The study included 865 adult participants between the ages of 19-86. Subjects completed a complex questionnaire that included questions about health status. The study was conducted by applying the subjects to an anonymous questionnaire, in three family medicine practices between November 2018 to May 2019 and targeted healthy people. The frequencies of the following types of associated pathologies were evaluated: high blood pressure (HBP), hypercholesterolemia, stroke, diabetes, depression, stress. In hypertensive patients the prevalence of ACE was 6,99% (N=11) and in those not diagnosed with HBP of only 0,29% (N=2). The risk of ACE was 20 times higher than in those without HBP (RR=20,93; p<0.001). The prevalence of ACE was high among subjects with high cholesterol levels (21,43%) compared with those with normal values (3,03%; N=22), the risk of ACE being 7 times higher (RR=7,06; p<0.001). The prevalence of diabetes was more than four times higher in subjects with ACE (17,3%; N=9) compared with those without ACE (3,9%; N=32). Among those affected by diabetes, the prevalence of ACE was 21,95% (9/41), and risk of ACE in people with diabetes was four times higher (RR=4,21; p<0.001). Although cardiovascular disease is the most common pathology in the contemporary world, a number of comorbidities arise as ACE generators (hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes), along with psycho-emotional disorders such as depression, anxiety or stress, which outline, ensures, contributes or accelerates the progression to ACE.

A higher blood glucose level pre-breakfast in comparison to bedtime is a contraindication for intensification of prandial insulin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes - The impact of a negative BeAM value

Aims

The BeAM value refers to the difference between a patient’s blood glucose level at bedtime (Be) and the following morning before breakfast (AM). The clinical impact of a negative BeAM value (AM blood glucose reading compared to that taken at bedtime) is unknown.

Methods

T2DM patients of the OPAL and POC trials were pooled and their BeAM values calculated.

Results

From a total of 358 patients, 31 were calculated as having a negative BeAM value at baseline, while 182 had a high value. Patients in the negative BeAM group were younger, had shorter diabetes duration, and lower HbA1c levels. Fasting blood glucose levels were higher in the negative BeAM group, and these increased to a greater extent during the trial periods. No significant differences in hypoglycaemia occurrence were observed. Multivariate adjusted analysis indicated no association between a negative BeAM value and achievement of HbA1c < 7%, or composite endpoints that additionally included no hypoglycaemia and no weight gain.

Conclusions

Supplementation of BOT with prandial insulin is not beneficial for patients who have a higher blood glucose reading before breakfast in comparison to before bedtime. Further investigation into the cause of the high morning reading in these patients is indicated.

[Lipid profile and cardiovascular risk of participants in the lipid measurement program in the industrial park in Höchst]

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular (CV) diseases are still the most frequent cause of death in industrial nations. Employer-initiated screening of the CV risk could make an early contribution to optimization of the prevention strategies.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study the CV risk profile (e.g., dyslipidemia, hypertension, smoking, diabetes mellitus and familial disposition) of 1436 employees at the industrial park in Frankfurt Höchst was analyzed. The total risk was estimated using the PROCAM score.

RESULTS

A hypercholesterolemia (low-density lipoprotein, LDL >130 mg/dl) was detected in 36% of the participants. Of the high-risk participants (myocardial infarct, apoplexy and/or diabetes) 23.7% (n = 9/38) were in the target range for LDL as defined by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) of below 70 mg/dl, 18.4% (n = 7) had levels between 70 and 100 mg/dl and 57.9% (n = 22) had levels of more than 100 mg/dl. In addition, more than half of the subjects (53.2%) had increased blood pressure values (defined as systolic blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mm Hg). The prevalence of diabetes (blood sugar >126 mg/dl) was very low (1.3%) as was the frequency of manifest CV diseases (1.4% myocardial infarct or apoplexy, 2.9% stabile angina pectoris or peripheral arterial occlusive disease, PAOD).

CONCLUSION

The data confirm that the risk factors high blood pressure and dyslipidemia are widespread and the achievement of target values is insufficient, particularly with a high risk of CV. Behavioral therapeutic and/or pharmaceutical measures should be instigated in order to better exploit the high preventive potential for carriers of these risk factors.

Patient screening for early detection of aortic stenosis (AS)-review of current practice and future perspectives

In Europe, approximately one million people over 75 years suffer from severe aortic stenosis (AS), one of the most serious and most common valve diseases, and this disease burden is increasing with the aging population. A diagnosis of severe symptomatic AS is associated with an average life expectancy of 2-3 years and necessitates a timely valve intervention. Guidelines for valve replacement therapy have been established but only a proportion of patients with symptomatic AS actually receive this life-saving treatment. The decision for valve intervention in asymptomatic patients with severe AS is often more challenging and likely results in fewer patients receiving treatment in comparison to their symptomatic counterparts. This article reviews the epidemiology and clinical manifestations of AS, the associated economic burden of AS to the healthcare system, the diagnosis of AS and the possible mechanisms for the introduction of routine screening in elderly patients. Elderly patients typically visit healthcare providers more frequently than younger patients, thereby providing increased opportunities for ad hoc AS screening and this, along with raising patient awareness of the symptoms of AS, has the potential to result in the earlier diagnosis and treatment of AS and increased patient survival.

Frequency of blood pressure and estimated glomerular filtration rate monitoring in patients affected by hypertension: a retrospective study with 176 565 patients in Germany

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency of blood pressure (BP) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) monitoring in hypertension patients followed in primary care practices in Germany.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study included patients who had received at least two hypertension diagnoses (ICD-10: I10) in 2016. The primary outcome of this study was the frequency of BP and eGFR monitoring in patients with hypertension in the year 2016. The impact of the different demographic and clinical variables on the likelihood of receiving at least two BP and at least one eGFR tests was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression models. These two cutoff values were selected on the basis of the recommendations of the European Society of Hypertension and the European Society of Cardiology.

RESULTS

This study included 176 565 patients, 53.0% of whom were women. The mean age was 68.2 years (SD=13.3 years). The mean number of BP tests was 1.9 (SD=3.1), whereas the mean number of eGFR tests was 0.2 (SD=0.8) in 2016. Only 33.7 and 9.1% of the population received at least two BP tests and one eGFR test, respectively. Older age (>60 years), comorbidities (particularly diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and renal insufficiency), and the number of antihypertensive treatments were associated with higher odds of receiving at least two BP and at least one eGFR tests, whereas the duration of hypertension was associated negatively with these odds.

CONCLUSION

The frequency of BP and eGFR monitoring was low in Germany in 2016. Several demographic and clinical variables had a significant impact on this frequency.

EQ-5D-5L in the General German Population: Comparison and Evaluation of Three Yearly Cross-Section Surveys

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a key measure for evaluating health status in populations. Using the recent EQ-5D-5L for measurement, this study analyzed quality of life results and their stability over consecutive population surveys. Three cross-section surveys for representative samples of the general German population from 2012, 2013, and 2014 were evaluated using the EQ-5D-5L descriptive system and valuation by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Aggregated sample size reached 6074. The dimension with the highest prevalence of problems was pain/discomfort (31.7%). Compared with 2012 (59.3%), the percentage of participants in the best health state increased slightly in 2013 (63.4%) and 2014 (62%). Over the 3-year period, diabetes and heart disease had the strongest negative influence on mean VAS result. The number of reported chronic diseases cumulatively reduced mean VAS. Extreme problems in one or more dimensions were stated by only 0.1%–0.2% of patients. Of the potential 247 health states with a problem score ≥20, only six were observed in the aggregated sample. HRQoL results were fairly stable over the 3 years, but the share of the population with no problems was not. Results from the aggregated sample may serve as updated reference values for the general German population.

Characteristics Associated With Antihypertensive Treatment and Blood Pressure Control: A Population-Based Follow-Up Study in Peru

BACKGROUND

Over one-quarter of the world's adult population has hypertension, yet achieving adequate treatment or control targets remains a challenge.

OBJECTIVE

This study sought to identify, longitudinally, characteristics associated with antihypertensive treatment and blood pressure (BP) control among individuals with hypertension.

METHODS

Data from individuals enrolled in the population-based CRONICAS Cohort Study (adults ≥35 years, living in 4 different rural/urban and coastal/high-altitude Peruvian settings) with hypertension at baseline were used. Antihypertensive treatment and BP control were assessed at baseline and at 15 months. Multinomial logistic regressions were used to estimate relative risk ratios (RRR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of factors associated with antihypertensive treatment and BP control at follow-up.

RESULTS

At baseline, among 717 individuals with hypertension (53% women, mean age 61.5 ± 12.4 years), 28% were unaware of their hypertension status, 30% were aware but untreated, 16% were treated but uncontrolled, and 26% were treated and controlled. At follow-up, 89% of unaware and 82% of untreated individuals persisted untreated, and only 58% of controlled individuals remained controlled. Positive predictors of receiving treatment and being controlled at follow-up included age (RRR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.73 to 0.91 for every 5 years) and family history of a chronic disease (RRR: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.31 to 0.92 vs. no history); whereas Puno rural site (RRR: 16.51; 95% CI: 1.90 to 143.56 vs. Lima) and male sex (RRR: 2.59; 95% CI: 1.54 to 4.36) were risk factors. Systolic BP at baseline (RRR: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.16 to 1.39 for every 5 mm Hg) and male sex (RRR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.02 to 2.98) were risk factors for being treated but uncontrolled at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Large gaps in treatment of hypertension were observed. Targeting specific populations such as men, younger individuals, or those without family history of disease may increase coverage of antihypertensive treatment. Also, targeting male individuals or those with higher systolic BP could yield better rates of BP control in the short term.

Dynamic prediction model and risk assessment chart for cardiovascular disease based on on-treatment blood pressure and baseline risk factors

For patients with hypertension, an individual risk prediction tool for cardiovascular disease based on on-treatment blood pressure is needed and would be useful. The objective of this study was to establish a 3-year risk prediction model for cardiovascular disease based on data from 13 052 patients with no history of cardiovascular disease in the Olmesartan Mega study to determine the relationship between Cardiovascular Endpoints and Blood Pressure Goal Achievement study. To develop dynamic prediction models including on-treatment blood pressure, a Cox proportional hazard model using the sliding landmarking method with three landmark points (6, 12 and 18 months from baseline) was used. The prediction model included blood pressure (<130/85 mm Hg, ⩾130/85  to <140/90 mm Hg, ⩾140/90 to <160/100 mm Hg and ⩾160/100 mm Hg) as a time-dependent covariate and well-known baseline risk factors (sex, age, smoking, family history of coronary artery disease and diabetes) as covariates. The 3-year risk assessment chart was constructed using the combination of all risk factors in the prediction model, and six different colors were displayed on each chart corresponding to the predicted probability of cardiovascular disease. Judging from the chart, if an elderly man with diabetes and other risk factors had a blood pressure of <130/85 mm Hg at 6 months, the risk of cardiovascular disease would be 8.0%, whereas the risk would be 8.6% if he had a blood pressure of ⩾130/85 to <140/90 mm Hg. The risk assessment chart developed from the large-scale observational study data would help physicians to more easily assess the cardiovascular disease risk for hypertensive patients on antihypertensive treatments.