A randomized clinical trial of an interactive voice response and text message intervention for individuals with hypertension

Effectiveness of digital health interventions for telemedicine/telehealth for managing blood pressure in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis included randomized controlled trials or observational studies that compare digital health interventions (DHIs) for telemedicine/telehealth versus usual care for managing blood pressure (BP) in adults. We searched PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, and IchuShi-Web, and used a random-effects meta-analysis of the weighted mean difference (MD) between the comparison groups to pool data from the included studies. The outcome included the pooled MD of office BP from baseline to each follow-up period. This meta-analysis considered 117 studies with 68677 participants as eligible. The 3-month intervention period reduced office systolic BP (SBP) compared with usual care in 38 studies (MD: -3.21 mmHg [95% confidence interval: -4.51 to -1.90]), with evidence of heterogeneity. Office SBP across intervention periods demonstrated comparable effects (3-, 6- [54 studies], 12- [43 studies], and >12-month periods [9 studies]). The benefits for office diastolic BP were similar to those for office SBP. Additionally, the interventions significantly reduced the office SBP compared with the control, regardless of the mode of intervention delivery (smartphone apps [38 studies], text messages [35 studies], and websites [34 studies]) or type of facility (medical [74 studies] vs. non-medical [33 studies]). The interventions were more effective in 41 hypertension cohorts compared with 66 non-hypertension cohorts (-4.81 mmHg [-6.33, -3.29] vs. -2.17 mmHg [-3.15, -1.19], P = 0.006 for heterogeneity). In conclusion, DHIs for telemedicine/telehealth improved BP management compared with usual care. The effectiveness with heterogeneity should be considered, as prudent for implementing evidence-based medicine. This meta-analysis considered 117 studies with 68677 participants eligible. The DHIs for telemedicine/telehealth reduced office BP compared with usual care, regardless of intervention duration, intervention delivery mode, facility type, and cohort type. Additionally, the DHIs reduced the risk of uncontrolled BP compared with usual care, regardless of intervention duration, intervention delivery mode, and facility type. BP blood pressure, DHI digital health intervention, MD mean difference, RR risk ratio, SBP systolic blood pressure.

American Indian and Alaska Native recruitment strategies for health-related randomized controlled trials: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Significant health disparities exist among American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs), yet AI/ANs are substantially underrepresented within health-related research, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Although research has previously charted representation inequities, there is however a gap in the literature documenting best practice for recruitment techniques of AI/ANs into RCTs. Therefore, the aim of this review was to systematically gather and analyze the published literature to identify common strategies for AI/AN participant recruitment for RCTs in the US.

METHODS

A scoping review methodology was engaged with a systematic search operationalized within relevant databases to February 19, 2022, with an additional updated search being carried out up until January 1, 2023: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. A two-stage article review process was engaged with double reviewers using Covidence review software. Content analysis was then carried out within the included articles by two reviewers using NVivo software to identify common categories within the data on the topic area.

RESULTS

Our review identified forty-one relevant articles with the main categories of recruitment strategies being: 1) recruitment methods for AI/ANs into RCTs (passive advertising recruitment approaches, individual-level recruitment approaches, relational methods of recruitment); 2) recruitment personnel used within RCTs; and, 3) relevant recruitment setting. The majority of the included studies used a culturally relevant intervention, as well as a community-involved approach to operationalizing the research.

CONCLUSION

Increasing AI/AN representation in RCTs is essential for generating evidence-based interventions that effectively address health disparities and improve health outcomes. Researchers and funding agencies should prioritize the engagement, inclusion, and leadership of AI/AN communities throughout the RCT research process. This includes early community involvement in study design, implementation of culturally tailored recruitment strategies, and dissemination of research findings in formats accessible to AI/AN communities.

Electronic Health Record-Driven Approaches in Primary Care to Strengthen Hypertension Management Among Racial and Ethnic Minoritized Groups in the United States: Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Managing hypertension in racial and ethnic minoritized groups (eg, African American/Black patients) in primary care is highly relevant. However, evidence on whether or how electronic health record (EHR)-driven approaches in primary care can help improve hypertension management for patients of racial and ethnic minoritized groups in the United States remains scarce.

OBJECTIVE

This review aims to examine the role of the EHR in supporting interventions in primary care to strengthen the hypertension management of racial and ethnic minoritized groups in the United States.

METHODS

A search strategy based on the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome) guidelines was utilized to query and identify peer-reviewed articles on the Web of Science and PubMed databases. The search strategy was based on terms related to racial and ethnic minoritized groups, hypertension, primary care, and EHR-driven interventions. Articles were excluded if the focus was not hypertension management in racial and ethnic minoritized groups or if there was no mention of health record data utilization.

RESULTS

A total of 29 articles were included in this review. Regarding populations, Black/African American patients represented the largest population (26/29, 90%) followed by Hispanic/Latino (18/29, 62%), Asian American (7/29, 24%), and American Indian/Alaskan Native (2/29, 7%) patients. No study included patients who identified as Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander. The EHR was used to identify patients (25/29, 86%), drive the intervention (21/29, 72%), and monitor results and outcomes (7/29, 59%). Most often, EHR-driven approaches were used for health coaching interventions, disease management programs, clinical decision support (CDS) systems, and best practice alerts (BPAs). Regarding outcomes, out of 8 EHR-driven health coaching interventions, only 3 (38%) reported significant results. In contrast, all the included studies related to CDS and BPA applications reported some significant results with respect to improving hypertension management.

CONCLUSIONS

This review identified several use cases for the integration of the EHR in supporting primary care interventions to strengthen hypertension management in racial and ethnic minoritized patients in the United States. Some clinical-based interventions implementing CDS and BPA applications showed promising results. However, more research is needed on community-based interventions, particularly those focusing on patients who are Asian American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander. The developed taxonomy comprising "identifying patients," "driving intervention," and "monitoring results" to classify EHR-driven approaches can be a helpful tool to facilitate this.

Use of Community-Engaged Research Approaches in Clinical Interventions for Neurologic Disorders in the United States: A Scoping Review and Future Directions for Improving Health Equity Research

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Evidence suggests a significant prevalence of race and ethnic disparities in the United States among people with neurologic conditions including stroke, Alzheimer disease and related dementia (ADRD), Parkinson disease (PD), epilepsy, spinal cord injury (SCI), and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Recent neurologic research has begun the paradigm shift from observational health disparities research to intervention research in an effort to narrow the disparities gap. There is an evidence base that suggests that community engagement is a necessary component of health equity. While the increase in disparities focused neurologic interventions is encouraging, it remains unclear whether and how community-engaged practices are integrated into intervention design and implementation. The purpose of this scoping review was to identify and synthesize intervention studies that have actively engaged with the community in the design and implementation of interventions to reduce disparities in neurologic conditions and to describe the common community engagement processes used.

METHODS

Two databases, PubMed and CINAHL, were searched to identify eligible empirical studies within the United States whose focus was on neurologic interventions addressing disparities and using community engagement practices.

RESULTS

We identified 392 disparity-focused interventions in stroke, ADRD, PD, epilepsy, SCI, and TBI, of which 53 studies incorporated community engagement practices: 32 stroke studies, 15 ADRD, 2 epilepsy studies, 2 PD studies, 1 SCI study, and 1 TBI study. Most of the interventions were designed as randomized controlled trials and were programmatic in nature. The interventions used a variety of community engagement practices: community partners (42%), culturally tailored materials and mobile health (40%), community health workers (32%), faith-based organizations and local businesses (28%), focus groups/health need assessments (25%), community advisory boards (19%), personnel recruited from the community/champions (19%), and caregiver/social support (15%).

DISCUSSION

Our scoping review reports that the proportion of neurologic intervention studies incorporating community engagement practices is limited and that the practices used within those studies are varied. The major practices used included collaboration with community partners and utilization of culturally tailored materials. We also found inconsistent reporting and dissemination of results from studies that implemented community engagement measures in their interventions. Future directions include involving the community in research early and continuously, building curricula that address challenges to community engagement, prioritizing the inclusion of community engagement reporting in peer-reviewed journals, and prioritizing and incentivizing research of subpopulations that experience disparities in neurologic conditions.

Racial and Ethnic Equity in Care for Hypertension and Diabetes in an Urban Indian Health Organization

Approximately 70% of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) individuals reside in urban areas. Urban Indian Health Organizations (UIHOs) provide culturally engaged primary care for AI/AN patients and members of other racial and ethnic groups who have experienced disparities in diabetes and hypertension care, and are commonly affected by social and economic barriers to care. We assessed whether disparities were present between the racial and ethnic groups served by the largest UIHO in the USA. We developed retrospective cohorts of patients with hypertension or diabetes receiving primary care from this UIHO, measuring differences between AI/AN, Spanish-preferring Latinx, English-preferring Latinx, Black, and White patients in mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and mean hemoglobin A1c (A1c) as primary outcomes. To assess processes of care, we also compared visit intensity, missed visits, and medication treatment intensity in regression models adjusted for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. For hypertension (n = 2148), adjusted mean SBP ranged from 135.8 mm Hg among Whites to 141.3 mm Hg among Blacks (p = 0.06). For diabetes (n = 1211), adjusted A1c ranged from 7.7% among English-preferring Latinx to 8.7% among Blacks (p = 0.38). Care processes for both hypertension and diabetes varied across groups. No group consistently received lower-quality care. This UIHO provided care of comparable quality for hypertension and diabetes among urban-dwelling AI/ANs and members of other racial, ethnic, and language preference groups. Systematic assessments of care quality in UIHOs may help demonstrate the importance of their role in providing care and improve the quality of care.

Association of Medication Adherence With HbA1c Control Among American Indian Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Using Tribal Health Services

OBJECTIVE

To examine HbA1c levels and adherence to oral glucose-lowering medications and their association with future HbA1c levels among American Indian adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) receiving medications at no cost from a tribal health care system.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Tribal citizens with T2D who used Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority (CNHSA) and Pharmacies and had HbA1c data during 2017-2018 were included in this study. Medication adherence (proportion of days covered [PDC] ≥0.80) was calculated using 2017 CNHSA electronic health record data.

RESULTS

Of the 74,000 tribal citizens living on tribal lands, 4,560 were eligible; 32% had HbA1c at or below target (≤7%), 36% were above target (>7 to ≤9%), and 32% were uncontrolled (>9%) in 2017. The percentage of patients with PDC ≥0.80 was 66% for those using biguanides, 72% for sulfonylureas, 75% for dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors, and 83% for sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors. The proportion of patients with HbA1c at or below target increased slightly from 32% in 2017 to 42% in 2018. Higher average PDC in 2017 was associated with lower HbA1c levels in 2018 (β = -1.143; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Medication adherence was higher than that found in previous studies using self-report methods in American Indian populations, although a smaller proportion of patients had HbA1c at or below target relative to U.S. adults with T2D. Medication adherence was associated with improved HbA1c levels for most oral glucose-lowering medication classes. Future studies of American Indians should use both longitudinal prescription data from both electronic health records and pharmacy refills.

Understanding virtual primary healthcare with Indigenous populations: a rapid evidence review

BACKGROUND

Virtual care has become an increasingly useful tool for the virtual delivery of care across the globe. With the unexpected emergence of COVID-19 and ongoing public health restrictions, it has become evident that the delivery of high-quality telemedicine is critical to ensuring the health and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples, especially those living in rural and remote communities.

METHODS

We conducted a rapid evidence review from August to December 2021 to understand how high quality Indigenous primary healthcare is defined in virtual modalities. After completing data extraction and quality appraisal, a total of 20 articles were selected for inclusion. The following question was used to guide the rapid review: How is high quality Indigenous primary healthcare defined in virtual modalities?

RESULTS

We discuss key limitations to the delivery of virtual care, including the increasing cost of technology, lack of accessibility, challenges with digital literacy, and language barriers. This review further yielded four main themes that highlight Indigenous virtual primary healthcare quality: (1) limitations and barriers of virtual primary healthcare, (2) Indigenous-centred virtual primary healthcare, (3) virtual Indigenous relationality, (4) collaborative approaches to ensuring holistic virtual care.

DISCUSSION

For virtual care to be Indigenous-centred, Indigenous leadership and users need to be partners in the development, implementation and evaluation of the intervention, service or program. In terms of virtual models of care, time must be allocated to educate Indigenous partners on digital literacy, virtual care infrastructure, benefits and limitations. Relationality and culture must be prioritized as well as digital health equity.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight important considerations for strengthening virtual primary healthcare approaches to meet the needs of Indigenous peoples worldwide.

Effectiveness, reach, uptake, and feasibility of digital health interventions for adults with hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Digital health interventions are effective for hypertension self-management, but a comparison of the effectiveness and implementation of the different modes of interventions is not currently available. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of SMS, smartphone application, and website interventions on improving blood pressure in adults with hypertension, and to report on their reach, uptake, and feasibility.

METHODS

In this systematic review and meta-analysis we searched CINAHL Complete, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, and APA PsycInfo on May 25, 2022, for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published in English from Jan 1, 2009, that examined the effectiveness of digital health interventions on reducing blood pressure in adults with hypertension. Screening was carried out using Covidence, and data were extracted following Cochrane's guidelines. The primary endpoint was change in the mean of systolic blood pressure. Risk of bias was assessed with Cochrane Risk of Bias 2. Data on systolic and diastolic blood pressure reduction were synthesised in a meta-analysis, and data on reach, uptake and feasibility were summarised narratively. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria were used to evaluate the level of evidence. The study was registered with PROSPERO CRD42021247845.

FINDINGS

Of the 3235 records identified, 29 RCTs from 13 regions (n=7592 participants) were included in the systematic review, and 28 of these RCTs (n=7092 participants) were included in the meta-analysis. 11 studies used SMS as the primary mode of delivery of the digital health intervention, 13 used smartphone applications, and five used websites. Overall, digital health intervention group participants had a -3·62 mm Hg (95% CI -5·22 to -2·02) greater reduction in systolic blood pressure, and a -2·45 mm Hg (-3·83 to -1·07) greater reduction in diastolic blood pressure, compared with control group participants. No statistically significant differences between the three different modes of delivery were observed for both the systolic (p=0·73) and the diastolic blood pressure (p=0·80) outcomes. Smartphone application interventions had a statistically significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure (-2·45 mm Hg [-4·15 to -0·74]); however, there were no statistically significant reductions for SMS interventions (-1·80 mm Hg [-4·60 to 1·00]) or website interventions (-3·43 mm Hg [-7·24 to 0·38]). Due to the considerable heterogeneity between included studies and the high risk of bias in some, the level of evidence was assigned a low overall score. Interventions were more effective among people with greater severity of hypertension at baseline. SMS interventions reported higher reach and smartphone application studies reported higher uptake, but differences were not statistically significant.

INTERPRETATION

SMS, smartphone application, and website interventions were associated with statistically and clinically significant systolic and diastolic blood pressure reductions, compared with usual care, regardless of the mode of delivery of the intervention. This conclusion is tempered by the considerable heterogeneity of included studies and the high risk of bias in most. Future studies need to describe in detail the mediators and moderators of the effectiveness and implementation of these interventions, to both further improve their effectiveness as well as increase their reach, uptake, and feasibility.

FUNDING

European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme.

Strategies to Improve Medication Adherence and Blood Pressure Among Racial/Ethnic Minority Populations: A Scoping Review of the Literature from 2017 to 2021

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To identify intervention strategies that were effective in promoting medication adherence and HTN control among racial/ethnic minority groups in the US.

RECENT FINDINGS

Twelve articles were included in this review and 4 categories of intervention strategies were identified as counseling by trained personnel, mHealth tools, mHealth tools in combination with counseling by trained personnel, and quality improvement. The findings show that interventions delivered by trained personnel are effective in lowering BP and improving medication adherence, particularly for those delivered by health educators, CHWs, medical assistants, and pharmacists. Additionally, the combination of mHealth tools with counseling by trained personnel has the potential to be more effective than either mHealth or counseling alone and report beneficial effects on medication adherence and BP control. This review provides potential next steps for future research to examine the effectiveness of mHealth interventions in combination with support from trained health personnel and its effects on racial disparities in HTN outcomes.

Incorporating African American Veterans' Success Stories for Hypertension Management: Developing a Behavioral Support Texting Protocol

Background

Peer narratives engage listeners through personally relevant content and have been shown to promote lifestyle change and effective self-management among patients with hypertension. Incorporating key quotations from these stories into follow-up text messages is a novel way to continue the conversation, providing reinforcement of health behaviors in the patients’ daily lives.

Objective

In our previous work, we developed and tested videos in which African American Veterans shared stories of challenges and success strategies related to hypertension self-management. This study aims to describe our process for developing a text-messaging protocol intended for use after viewing videos that incorporate the voices of these Veterans.

Methods

We used a multistep process, transforming video-recorded story excerpts from 5 Veterans into 160-character texts. We then integrated these into comprehensive 6-month texting protocols. We began with an iterative review of story transcripts to identify vernacular features and key self-management concepts emphasized by each storyteller. We worked with 2 Veteran consultants who guided our narrative text message development in substantive ways, as we sought to craft culturally sensitive content for texts. Informed by Veteran input on timing and integration, supplementary educational and 2-way interactive assessment text messages were also developed.

Results

Within the Veterans Affairs texting system Annie, we programmed five 6-month text-messaging protocols that included cycles of 3 text message types: narrative messages, nonnarrative educational messages, and 2-way interactive messages assessing self-efficacy and behavior related to hypertension self-management. Each protocol corresponds to a single Veteran storyteller, allowing Veterans to choose the story that most resonates with their own life experiences.

Conclusions

We crafted a culturally sensitive text-messaging protocol using narrative content referenced in Veteran stories to support effective hypertension self-management. Integrating narrative content into a mobile health texting intervention provides a low-cost way to support longitudinal behavior change. A randomized trial is underway to test its impact on the lifestyle changes and blood pressure of African American Veterans.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03970590; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03970590

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/29423

Comparative effect of eHealth interventions on hypertension management-related outcomes: A network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Increasingly, health professionals and patients have begun to be involved in eHealth interventions to assist in the self-management of hypertension. Therefore, this study was aimed at comparing the effect of different types of eHealth interventions (phone calls, blood pressure telemonitoring, emails, web-site, smartphone-app, short message service (SMS) and more than two eHealth interventions) on reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure, increasing adherence to medication treatment, improving physical activity compliance, controlling blood pressure, and improving quality of life (QoL).

METHODS

A systematic search in MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science databases was conducted to identify experimental studies addressing the effect of eHealth interventions on the self-management of hypertension. Comparative evaluation of the eHealth interventions effect were performed by conducting a standard pairwise meta-analysis and a network meta-analysis for direct and indirect comparisons between eHealth interventions and control/non-intervention.

RESULTS

Fifty-one studies were included in the analysis showing a moderate effect size for more than two types of eHealth interventions (-0.46; 95%CI: -0.64, -0.27, p < 0.001 and -0.29; 95%CI: -0.46, -0.13, p < 0.001), phone calls (-0.37; 95%CI: -0.57, -0.17, p < 0.001 and -0.29; 95%CI: -0.52, -0.07, p = 0.011) and smartphone-app (-0.26; 95%CI: -0.50, -0.01, p = 0.040 and -0.40; 95%CI: -0.70, -0.10, p = 0.010) on reducing both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively. Additionally, i) smartphone-app improved medication adherence by 45%; ii) more than two types of eHealth interventions and emails improved physical activity compliance by 18% and 57% respectively; ii) more than two types of eHealth interventions, phone calls, blood pressure telemonitoring, website and SMS improved blood pressure control between 16% and 30%; and iv) blood pressure telemonitoring showed a week effect on QoL CONCLUSIONS: Our study reported eHealth to be a suitable intervention for the self-management of hypertension. Considering our results and the population's accessibility to eHealth devices, eHealth could be a useful and largely scalable tool for the self-management of hypertension.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42020187468.

Effectiveness of Text Messaging Interventions on Blood Pressure Control Among Patients With Hypertension: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background

Controlling blood pressure (BP) is an international health concern, and high BP is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease mortality. Evidence has shown that educational interventions directed at patients potentially improve BP control and adherence to medications and lifestyle modifications. In addition, a text messaging intervention has a potential effect on BP control; however, the dosage of a text messaging intervention has not been determined in previous reviews, resulting in difficult application in practice.

Objective

This review aimed to identify the effectiveness of a text messaging intervention on hypertension management with a specific focus on the dosage of text messaging and the type of additional interventions with text messaging.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted and reported on in accordance with PRISMA guideline. Participants were aged 18 years and older and diagnosed with primary hypertension. The included studies used text messaging as a component of the intervention. We searched for randomized controlled trials published until June 30, 2020, from the following health-related electronic databases: Embase, Medline, CINAHL Complete, PsycINFO, and Scopus. Data were extracted for qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database Scale was used to assess the methodological quality of each study, and the quality of the included studies was assessed independently by two authors.

Results

Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. The overall methodological quality was fair (mean score 5.75). The frequency of text message delivery varied from daily to biweekly. Health education was identified in 4 studies as an additional intervention with text messaging. The overall results showed that the text messaging intervention significantly reduced systolic BP (SBP) but not diastolic BP (DBP). There was no significant difference in BP reduction between studies that lasted 6 months or less and those that lasted more than 7 months. Seven studies that lasted 6 months or less involving 1428 patients with hypertension were pooled for further meta-analysis. Text messages delivered at a lower frequency (once per week or less) had a small effect on SBP reduction (effect size 0.35, P<.01) and DBP reduction (effect size 0.28, P=.01). In addition, the use of a text messaging intervention halved the odds of uncontrolled BP among patients with hypertension in 6 months (odds ratio 0.46, P=.02).

Conclusions

This review found that a text messaging intervention was effective in BP control. One-way text messaging delivered in a weekly manner was suggested to be effective and required fewer resources. Future studies should use different forms of text message and be integrated into other interventions to improve adherence behaviors and BP control among patients with hypertension.

Improving medication adherence in hypertensive patients: A scoping review

In recent years, interest in medication adherence has greatly increased. Adherence has been particularly well studied in the context of arterial hypertension treatment. Numerous interventions have addressed this issue, however, the effort to improve adherence has been often frustrating and frequently disorganized. The aim of present study was to perform a scoping review of medication adherence interventions in hypertensive patients, so that a clear overview was achieved. Moreover, an evidence-based categorization of interventions was developed. The review was performed according to the PRISMA-ScR statement. MEDLINE and Web of Science were searched, and studies published from database inception until August 17, 2020 were included. A total of 2994 non-duplicate studies were retrieved. After screening and eligibility phases, a total of 45 articles were included. Studies were analyzed regarding their design, participant characteristics and management of adherence strategies employed. Furthermore, medication adherence and blood pressure outcomes, as well as adherence measuring tools were evaluated. Each study's intervention was then categorized using a novel evidence-based system of categorization, derived from the conceptual clustering framework used in machine learning. This work is an important step in pushing for better informed and more efficient future research efforts, both by providing an overview of the research field and by creating a new, evidence-based intervention categorization tool. It also provides valuable information to clinicians about medication adherence to antihypertensive therapy.

Identifying Relative Changes in Social Risk Factors: An Analytic Approach

BACKGROUND

Individuals often report concurrent social risk factors such as food insecurity, unstable housing, and transportation barriers. Comparing relative changes between pairs of social risk factors may identify those that are more resistant to change.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to develop a method to describe relative changes in pairs of social risk factors.

RESEARCH DESIGN

This was a prospective cohort study.

SUBJECTS

Participants in a randomized controlled trial of hypertension care in an Urban Indian Health Organization.

MEASURES

We measured 7 social risk factors (housing, transportation, food, clothing, health care, utilities, and debts) at enrollment, 6, and 12 months among 295 participants in the trial. We hypothesized that pairwise comparisons could identify social risk factors that were less likely to change over time. We used conditional odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to rank each pair.

RESULTS

Food, clothing, health care, utilities, and debts had more changes between 0 and 6 months relative to housing (OR=2.3, 3.4, 4.7, 3.5, and 3.4, respectively; all 95% CI excluded 1.0). These same social risk factors also had more changes between baseline and 6 months relative to transportation (OR=2.8, 3.4, 4.9, 4.7, and 4.1, respectively; all 95% CI excluded 1.0). Changes in housing and transportation risk factors were comparable (OR=0.7, 95% CI: 0.4-1.4). Relative changes between 6 and 12 months were similar.

CONCLUSIONS

Housing and transportation exhibited fewer relative changes than other social risk factors and might be more resistant to change. Awareness of the relationships between social risk factors can help define priorities for intervention.