Relationship between home blood pressure measurement and medication compliance and name recognition of antihypertensive drugs

Home blood pressure measurement and hypertension control according to the length of antihypertensive treatment among employees

This study aimed to investigate the association between the frequency of home blood pressure (HBP) measurement and hypertension control in a middle-aged working population. This study included 627 employees aged 40 years or older who underwent health check-ups for 2 consecutive years from 2019 to 2022 and had blood pressure (BP) ≥ 140/90 mmHg at the health check-up in the first year. The participants were stratified by the length of antihypertensive treatment (within 1 year, >1 year) using data in the first and second years, and were classified by the frequency of HBP measurement (<6 times/week, almost every day) using data in the second year. In each treatment length, logistic regression analyses were used to estimate multivariable adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of controlled hypertension (BP at health check-ups <140/90 mmHg in the second year) in those who measured HBP almost every day compared with those who measured HBP < 6 times/week. The ORs (95% confidence intervals) were 1.56 (0.94-2.73) in those within 1 year of starting treatment and 0.74 (0.44-1.22) in those with more than 1 year of starting treatment. In participants with BP ≥ 160/100 mmHg in the first year, the corresponding ORs were 1.94 (1.04-3.64) and 0.41 (0.13-1.23), respectively. In conclusion, in individuals within 1 year of starting treatment, those who measure HBP almost every day tend to have good control of hypertension. In particular, in those who have BP ≥ 160/100 mmHg before starting antihypertensive medication, measuring HBP almost every day is associated with good control of hypertension. Among those within 1 year of starting the treatment (Group1) especially in those with blood pressure ≥160/100 mmHg, the frequency of home blood pressure measurement was associated with hypertension control. It was not associated among those with more than 1 year of starting the treatment (Group 2).

Daily self-reported behavioural efficacy records on hypertension digital therapeutics as digital metrics associated with the reduction in morning home blood pressure: post-hoc analysis of HERB-DH1 trial

Digital therapeutics for hypertension, proven effective in the HERB-DH1 trial, enable patients to record and track their daily actions and achievements to improve their lifestyles using an app. However, the association between recording daily behaviours and blood pressure (BP) reduction has not yet been investigated. We conducted a post-hoc analysis to investigate the relationship between them in the HERB-DH1 trial. We defined the counts of daily records of antihypertensive behaviour taken by the patient into the app as daily self-reported behavioural efficacy records (SER). SER was categorised into quartiles, and the trend of changes from baseline to week 12 in morning home systolic blood pressure (SBP), salt intake checklist score, and body weight was assessed. A total of 156 patients with hypertension were included in the analysis. A higher total count of SER was associated with greater SBP reduction (P for trend: 0.049). Patients with a higher SER for salt intake and weight reduction showed reductions in SBP (P for trend: 0.034 and 0.027, respectively). Furthermore, patients with higher salt intake SER exhibited a decrease in the salt intake checklist scores, and patients with greater weight reduction SER experienced a reduction in body weight (P for trend: 0.001 and 0.007, respectively). SER during digital therapeutics is associated with a reduction in morning home SBP in patients with hypertension. Enhancing patients' intrinsic motivation and self-efficacy, as evaluated by the SER, can play an important role in reducing BP by promoting lifestyle improvement. Daily self-reported behavioural efficacy records (SER) defined as the number of patient's app inputs of recall of day-by-day activity of behaviours at the end of the day, is partially affected by self-efficacy and affinity of app, resulting in the effectiveness of digital therapeutics.

The reliability of patient blood pressure self-assessments - a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

Home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) is an increasingly important tool in managing hypertension (HTN); however, its efficacy depends on its accuracy. This study aimed to explore the differences between blood pressure (BP) measurements conducted by patients and medical professionals and the patient demographic factors correlating with inaccurate self-measured BP levels.

METHODS

One hundred hypertensive patients completed a questionnaire inquiring about their health status and HBPM procedures and were filmed while measuring their BP using their own devices. A researcher then measured the patients' BP using a calibrated sphygmomanometer to assess the accuracy of patient-performed readings. This cross-sectional study was conducted in five primary healthcare centers in Kraków, Poland.

RESULTS

The mean differences in systolic and diastolic BP readings by patients and researchers were 8.36 mmHg (SD = 10.90 mmHg) and 2.16 mmHg (SD = 9.12 mmHg), respectively. Inaccuracies in patient BP measurements were associated with a less than high school education level, patients' age, and a family history of HTN.

CONCLUSION

Patient self-measured BP levels were higher than researcher values, likely due to a higher patient error rate. Healthcare providers must increase training regarding correct HBPM techniques offered to patients; such efforts should be directed at all hypertensive patients, emphasizing the most error-prone demographics.

Effects of self-monitoring devices on blood pressure in older adults with hypertension and diabetes: a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Hypertension and diabetes frequently coexist, which results in the difficulty of hypertension control in community-dwelling elderly adults who lack effective prevention and control strategies. The aim of this study is to determine whether a combined pedometer and home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) programme could improve blood pressure (BP) among community-dwelling elderly adults with hypertension and diabetes.

METHODS

The trial was a 2×2 factorial randomised clinical trial that recruited 180 community-dwelling elderly people (aged ≥60) with hypertension and diabetes in Tianjin, China. Participants were randomly assigned to control, pedometer, HBPM, and pedometer+HBPM groups. Intervention period was 12 months. The coprimary outcomes of the study were systolic and diastolic BP; the secondary outcomes included the proportion of patients with controlled hypertension. BP was measured twice in the right arm using a mercurial sphygmomanometer. The mean of these two measurements was taken as the BP value.

RESULTS

At 12 months, compared with the control group, the adjusted differences in least squares mean (95% CI) in systolic and diastolic BP changes for pedometer, HBPM, and pedometer+HBPM groups were -4.2 (-8.4 to 0.1), -2.7 (-6.9 to 1.5) and -8.1 (-12.3 to -3.9) mm Hg (p<0.01); -3.2 (-5.2 to -1.1), -0.1(-2.1 to 1.9) and -3.6 (-5.6 to -1.5) mm Hg (p<0.001), respectively; the adjusted difference in percentage (95% CI) in the controlled hypertension (BP <140/90 mm Hg) for pedometer, HBPM and pedometer+HBPM groups were 7.5 (-12.2 to 27.1), 9.9 (-10.4 to 30.3) and 23.1 (5.0 to 41.1) (p=0.09).

CONCLUSION

Combination pedometer and HBPM interventions can significantly decrease BP levels in elderly adults with hypertension and diabetes.

TRIALS REGISTRATION NUMBER

UMIN000021613.

Validity and Reliability of Elbow Range of Motion Measurements Using Digital Photographs, Movies, and a Goniometry Smartphone Application

INTRODUCTION

Range of motion (ROM) is closely monitored before and after surgery for stiff elbow and during rehabilitation. Measurements in the home environment may be helpful to increase involvement and adherence of the patient. Therefore, our objective is to investigate the validity and inter- and intraobserver reliability of 3 alternative methods to assess the ROM by the patient in a home-based situation, in comparison to the universal goniometer (UG). We hypothesize that all 3 alternative methods will be valid alternatives and show a level of reliability equivalent to UG.

METHODS

Goniometric measurements of elbow flexion, extension, pronation and supination using photography, movie, and a smartphone application were obtained. The validity of these measurement methods was compared to UG. The interobserver and intraobserver reliability were calculated for all measurement methods.

RESULTS

Photography and movie based goniometry of the elbow showed good validity in flexion and extension. The interobserver and intraobserver reliability were found to be good to excellent for photo and movie but moderate to poor for UG and the smartphone application.

CONCLUSIONS

Photo or movie based goniometry seems to be a useful option for initial and follow-up measurement of the elbow ROM, both in the outpatient clinic and in a home environment. Based on our study, the smartphone application we used is not recommended.

Toward flexible and wearable human-interactive health-monitoring devices

This Progress Report introduces flexible wearable health-monitoring devices that interact with a person by detecting from and stimulating the body. Interactive health-monitoring devices should be highly flexible and attach to the body without awareness like a bandage. This type of wearable health-monitoring device will realize a new class of electronics, which will be applicable not only to health monitoring, but also to other electrical devices. However, to realize wearable health-monitoring devices, many obstacles must be overcome to economically form the active electrical components on a flexible substrate using macroscale fabrication processes. In particular, health-monitoring sensors and curing functions need to be integrated. Here recent developments and advancements toward flexible health-monitoring devices are presented, including conceptual designs of human-interactive devices.

Self-monitoring of blood pressure for improving adherence to antihypertensive medicines and blood pressure control: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Self-monitoring is reported to have limited efficacy for hypertension management in high-income countries. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of self-monitoring on blood pressure (BP) control in an Iranian population.

METHODS

A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 196 mild to moderate hypertensive patients in an outpatient cardiovascular clinic. Patients in the intervention group received a wrist self-monitoring device and were educated to measure and document their BP daily during the study period (24 weeks). Patients in the control group received usual care. Three follow-up visits with the physician were scheduled for all patients (weeks 4, 12, and 24), and the investigator assessed adherence to medications after each visit (pill counting). The primary outcome (BP) was compared between groups using repeated-measure analysis of variance.

RESULTS

One hundred ninety patients completed the study. Systolic BP (144.4±7.4 vs 145.9±6.4mm Hg) and diastolic BP (85.5±6.9 vs. 85.1±7.7mm Hg) were similar between groups at baseline. The trend of BP was not significantly different between groups during the study period. Systolic and diastolic BP decreased significantly in both groups at the first follow-up visit (systolic BP: 132.6 vs. 133.4mm Hg; diastolic BP: 77.4 vs. 77.2mm Hg). In the intervention group, we observed a small continued decrease in diastolic BP up to week 24 BP (P = 0.01). Both groups showed adherence rates >95% during the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study could not confirm that self-monitoring can improve BP control in patients with frequent medical visits.

Clinical significance of home blood pressure measurements for the prevention and management of high blood pressure

1. Ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) monitoring (M) provides BP information at many points on any particular day during unrestricted routine daily activities, whereas home blood pressure (HBP) monitoring provides a lot of BP information obtained under fixed times and conditions over a long period of time, thus mean values of HBP provide high reproducibility, and thus an overall superiority compared with ABP.  2. HBP is at least equally or better able than ABP to predict hypertensive target organ damage and prognosis of cardiovascular disease.  3. HBPM allows for ongoing disease monitoring by patients, improves adherence to antihypertensive treatment, and can provide health-care providers with timely clinical data and direct and immediate feedback regarding diagnosis and treatment of hypertension.  4. HBPM provides BP information in relation to time; that is, BP in the morning, in the evening and at night during sleep, and it is an essential tool for the diagnosis of white-coat and masked hypertension.  5. HBPM yields minimal alerting affects and no or minimal placebo effect, and can therefore distinguish small, but significant, serial changes in BP. It is thus the most practical method for monitoring BP in the day-to-day management of hypertension. 6. The superiority of HBPM over ABPM and clinic BPM is apparent from almost all practical and clinical research perspectives.

Comparison of once daily versus twice daily olmesartan in patients with chronic kidney disease

Background

The effects of olmesartan (OLM) on blood pressure and kidney function in Japanese patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) were compared between 20 mg twice daily (BID) and 40 mg once daily (QD) treatments.

Methods

The subjects were Japanese CKD patients with concurrent hypertension who had been treated with OLM 20 mg BID for at least 3 months on an outpatient basis (n=39). After a change in the treatment regimen to 40 mg OLM QD (after breakfast), blood pressure (BP) (n=39), morning home BP (n=13), estimated glomerular filtration rate (n=39), and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (n=17) were monitored for 2 months.

Results

No significant change in office (mean ± standard deviation [SD] [mmHg], 143.9 ± 18.8/75.7 ± 12.0 to 141.6 ± 16.1/74.7 ± 11.7, not significant [ns]) or early morning home (mean ± SD [mmHg], 133.8 ± 15.9/71.2 ± 11.5 to 133.8 ± 13.9/74.5 ± 10.5, ns) BP was observed 2 months after the change in dose. The estimated glomerular filtration rate increased significantly (mean ± SD, 49.0 ± 28.0 to 51.8 ± 27.0, P<0.05), whereas urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio did not change significantly (mean ± SD, 0.551 ± 0.445 to 0.364 ± 0.5194, ns).

Conclusion

High-dose OLM administered BID and QD had similar effects on outpatient and early morning home BP in CKD patients, suggesting that the BID regimen can be safely changed to a QD regimen. For CKD patients with hypertension requiring continuous long-term treatment, the possibility that the QD regimen might bring a greater therapeutic effect was suggested. However, recognizing the best blood pressure control level for a CKD patient is still a matter of debate, and should ideally be personalized.

Use of home blood pressure monitoring and exercise, diet and medication compliance in Japan

Little is known about the attitudes of doctors and patients to the use of home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) and its relationship with compliance to exercise, diet, and antihypertensive medication and blood pressure (BP) control. We conducted a cross-sectional internet survey in treated patients with hypertension in Japan. Overall, 500 questionnaires were returned; 292 respondents (58.4%) reported that their doctor had recommended HBPM and among them 106 (36.3%) reported satisfactory adherence to HBPM. Compared to patients with poor adherence to HBPM, patients with satisfactory adherence to HBPM were more likely to have satisfactory compliance with exercise, diet and medication but no significant difference in BP control.

Does a colour-coded blood pressure diary improve blood pressure control for patients in general practice: the CoCo trial

BACKGROUND

Insufficient blood pressure control is a frequent problem despite the existence of effective treatment. Insufficient adherence to self-monitoring as well as to therapy is a common reason. Blood pressure self-measurement at home (Home Blood Pressure Measurement, HBPM) has positive effects on treatment adherence and is helpful in achieving the target blood pressure. Only a few studies have investigated whether adherence to HBPM can be improved through simple measures resulting also in better blood pressure control.

OBJECTIVE

Improvement of self-monitoring and improved blood pressure control by using a new colour-coded blood pressure diary.

OUTCOME

PRIMARY OUTCOME

Change in systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure 6 months after using the new colour-coded blood pressure diary.Secondary outcome: Adherence to blood pressure self-measurement (number of measurements/entries).

METHODS/DESIGN

Randomised controlled study.

POPULATION

138 adult patients in primary care with uncontrolled hypertension despite therapy. The control group uses a conventional blood pressure diary; the intervention group uses the new colour-coded blood pressure diary (green, yellow, red according a traffic light system). EXPECTED RESULTS/CONCLUSION: The visual separation and entries in three colour-coded areas reflecting risk (green: blood pressure in the target range 140/>90 mmHg, red: blood pressure in danger zone > 180 mmHg/>110 mmHg) lead to better self-monitoring compared with the conventional (non-colour-coded) blood pressure booklet. The colour-coded, visualised information supports improved perception (awareness and interpretation) of blood pressure and triggers correct behaviour, in the means of improved adherence to the recommended treatment as well as better communication between patients and doctors resulting in improved blood pressure control.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT01013467.

Assessing patient adherence to anti-hypertensive drug therapy: can a structured pharmacist-conducted interview separate the wheat from the chaff?

Objective

To identify determinants of adherence and assess the impact of structured pharmacist-conducted interviews in determining patients' adherence to prescribed anti-hypertensive medications in a secondary care setting in Nigeria.

Method

The study was conducted in a secondary care facility located in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria. Two methodological approaches were employed. The first phase was pharmacist-conducted, pre-physician consultation, cross-sectional interviews of 400 hypertensive patients who presented at the study site within the 2-month study period. The second phase was a follow-up review of case notes of these patients after they had left the physician's office.

Key findings

The outcome of the pharmacist-conducted pre-physician consultation interview shows that financial difficulty was the most frequently identified factor responsible for patients' non-adherence to anti-hypertensive drug therapy (64%). A drug holiday, varying from 5–14 days per month, was the coping strategy adopted by patients to circumvent this difficulty. Only 48% (192) of patients were aware of the negative consequences of non-adherence with anti-hypertensive drug therapy, and of these, 75% were adherent. The level of awareness was significantly higher in adherent patients (P &lt; 0.001). Sixty-seven per cent (268) of patients use a daily medication reminder (DMR) to assist them in taking their anti-hypertensive drugs, and of these 65.7% were adherent. The use of DMRs was significantly higher among adherent patients (P &lt; 0.01). A meal time was the most frequently used DMR (88%). Forty-one per cent (164) of patients had additional measurement of their blood pressure at pharmacies (65.9%) and neighbourhood private hospital (34.1%), and of these 75.6% were judged to be adherent with their prescribed drug therapy. Additional measurement of blood pressure was significantly higher in adherent patients (P &lt; 0.001). Fifty-one per cent of the cohort were judged by pharmacists as non-adherent during pre-consultation interviews (phase 1), while physicians judged 25% of the same cohort as non-adherent during consultation (phase 2). The structured pharmacist-conducted pre-physician consultation interviews were significantly better at identifying patients who were non-adherent with prescribed anti-hypertensive drugs (P &lt; 0.01).

Conclusion

A brief structured pharmacist-conducted interview can be a valuable tool in assessing and/or identifying determinants of adherence with anti-hypertensive drug therapy.

Uncontrolled hypertension based on morning and evening home blood pressure measurements from the J-HOME study

We evaluated the control condition of morning and evening home blood pressure (BP) and compared patients who had isolated uncontrolled morning hypertension and those who had sustained uncontrolled (morning and evening) hypertension using data from the Japan Home versus Office Blood Pressure Measurement Evaluation study. We evaluated 3303 treated hypertensive patients (mean age, 66.2+/-10.5 years; men, 44.7%) in Japan. We classified patients into controlled hypertension, isolated uncontrolled evening hypertension, isolated uncontrolled morning hypertension and sustained uncontrolled hypertension, based on the cutoff value of 135/85 mm Hg for both morning and evening home BP. Of the 3303 patients evaluated, 24.6% had isolated uncontrolled morning hypertension, and 42.0% had sustained uncontrolled hypertension. Factors associated with isolated uncontrolled morning hypertension included taking evening BP measurement after drinking alcohol or bathing. Factors associated with sustained uncontrolled hypertension were male gender, diabetes mellitus and renal disease. The regimen of antihypertensive medication was more complex in patients with uncontrolled morning hypertension than in controlled hypertension. Determinants of the difference between patients with isolated uncontrolled morning hypertension and those with sustained uncontrolled hypertension were diabetes mellitus, renal disease and lower prevalence in measuring evening BP after drinking alcohol or bathing. More than a half of the treated patients were classified into uncontrolled morning hypertension, which were associated with poorer prognosis. Classification of morning hypertensive patients into groups with or without evening hypertension may be useful for evaluating patients' total cardiovascular disease risk. Physicians should also consider evening BP measuring condition for adequate evaluation of evening BP values.

The significance of compliance and persistence in the treatment of diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemia: a review

OBJECTIVES

To review studies of patient compliance/persistence with cardiovascular or antidiabetic medication published since the year 2000; to compare the methods used to measure compliance/persistence across studies; to compare reported compliance/persistence rates across therapeutic classes and to assess whether compliance/persistence correlates with clinical outcomes.

METHODS

English language papers published between January 2000 and November 2005 investigating patient compliance/persistence with cardiovascular or antidiabetic medication were identified through searches of the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. Definitions and measurements of compliance/persistence were compared across therapeutic areas using contingency tables.

RESULTS

Of the 139 studies analysed, 32% focused on hypertension, 27% on diabetes and 13% on dyslipidaemia. The remainder covered coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in general. The most frequently reported measure of compliance was the 12-month medication possession ratio (MPR). The overall mean MPR was 72%, and the MPR did not differ significantly between treatment classes (range: 67-76%). The average proportion of patients with an MPR of >80% was 59% overall, 64% for antihypertensives, 58% for oral antidiabetics, 51% for lipid-lowering agents and 69% in studies of multiple treatments, again with no significant difference between treatment classes. The average 12-month persistence rate was 63% and was similar across therapeutic classes. Good compliance had a positive effect on outcome in 73% of the studies examining clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-compliance with cardiovascular and antidiabetic medication is a significant problem, with around 30% of days 'on therapy' not covered by medication and only 59% of patients taking medication for more than 80% of their days 'on therapy' in a year. Good compliance has a positive effect on clinical outcome, suggesting that the management of CVD may be improved by improving patient compliance.

Influence of living style and situation on the compliance of taking antihypertensive agents in patients with essential hypertension

BACKGROUND

As the reason for insufficient control of blood pressure (BP), poor compliance of taking antihypertensive agents is an important issue. In Japan, no prospective study on the compliance of antihypertensive agents has been done. In this study we prospectively investigated the details of the relationship between the compliance of taking antihypertensive agents and living style and situation in hypertensive patients.

METHODS

We prospectively examined 121 outpatients with essential hypertension treated with antihypertensive agents for 12 months. Using an oral interview based on the questionnaire sheet, the factors about living style and situations which worsen the compliance were assessed. Also we evaluated the relationship of BP control and season, which was compared between patients with poor compliance and those with good compliance.

RESULTS

As for the background of the poor compliance, many factors related to the patients' living style and situation were clarified. On average for 12 months the levels of the compliance and BP showed a significant negative correlation and BP was significantly higher in patients with poor compliance than those with good compliance. However, in the summer season BP did not differ between patients with poor and good compliance,

CONCLUSION

Many factors regarding the patients' living style and situation were related to poor compliance. The development of strategy that changes these factors is a future task for improving compliance. This study may also imply that unnecessary antihypertensive agents are prescribed in some patients with poor compliance in the summer season. Determination of the suitable prescription by which to attain optimal individual patients' compliance is important in the treatment of hypertensive patients.

The factors contributing to whether or not hypertensive patients bring their home blood pressure record to the outpatient clinic

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the factors contributing to whether or not hypertensive patients brought their home blood pressure records to the outpatient clinic.

METHOD

We studied 325 hypertensive patients [169 men (66.3+/-11.4 years old) and 156 women (68.1+/-11.2 years old)] who had received medical treatment for hypertension in our outpatient clinic from June to August 2006.

RESULTS

Of the 325 patients studied, 206 (63.4%, 101 men, 105 women) brought their home blood pressure records to our outpatient clinic. Logistic analysis showed age [odds ratio (OR) =0.95; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.93-0.98; p=0.0002], systolic blood pressure in outpatient clinic (OR=1.02; 95% CI: 1.00-1.04; p=0.0488) and the number of medicines prescribed (OR=1.94; 95% CI: 1.37-2.75; p=0.0002) were independent factors contributing to whether or not hypertensive patients bring along their home blood pressure records to the outpatient clinic.

CONCLUSION

The contributing factors determining whether the patients bring their home blood pressure records to the outpatient clinic were: younger age, higher systolic blood pressure in the outpatient clinic, and a higher number of antihypertensive drugs. In conclusion, our results suggest that physicians should further motivate older patients, with well-controlled blood pressure in the outpatient clinic, to bring their home blood pressure records to the outpatient clinic.

Relationship between the frequency of blood pressure self-measurement and blood pressure reduction with antihypertensive therapy : results of the OLMETEL (OLMEsartan TELemonitoring blood pressure) study

OBJECTIVES

This subanalysis of the OLMETEL (OLMEsartan TELemonitoring blood pressure) study in patients with essential hypertension assessed the relationship between the frequency of blood pressure self-measurement (BPSM) and the response to blood pressure (BP)-lowering therapy with olmesartan medoxomil, and the number of BP readings per week necessary to detect a mean systolic or diastolic BP reduction > or =5mm Hg.

METHODS

A total of 53 patients with essential hypertension received treatment with olmesartan medoxomil 10, 20 or 40 mg daily for 12 weeks. BPSM was performed for the first 9 weeks using a TensioPhone TP2 device. Patients were instructed to measure BP at least twice daily (morning and evening).

RESULTS

After the first 9 weeks of the 12-week treatment period, the extent of BP reduction correlated with the number of BPSMs. Systolic/diastolic BP reductions in patients with a 100% adherence to at least two BP measurements daily were -16.6/-8.0mm Hg compared with -0.2/-3.3mm Hg in patients with only a 75% adherence to at least one BP measurement daily. Obtaining five home BP readings per week resulted in a sensitivity of 94.8% and a specificity of 90.0% to detect a BP reduction of > or =5mm Hg.

CONCLUSION

Patients adhering to the instructions for BPSM (at least two measurements daily) had a better response to antihypertensive treatment with olmesartan medoxomil. Whether BPSM per se resulted in an improved adherence to therapy or whether the number of recordings was an indicator of already existing adherence remains to be determined. Obtaining at least five home BP readings per week was identified as the threshold for correctly predicting response to olmesartan medoxomil treatment.

Characteristics of resistant hypertension determined by self-measured blood pressure at home and office blood pressure measurements: the J-HOME study

OBJECTIVES

To diagnose resistant hypertension using self-measured blood pressure (BP) at home and office BP, and to evaluate the characteristics of resistant hypertensive patients.

METHODS

The subjects were 528 hypertensive patients taking at least three or more different antihypertensive drugs. Subjects were classified into four groups (controlled hypertension, isolated office resistant hypertension, isolated home resistant hypertension and sustained resistant hypertension) on the basis of the cut-off values of home BP (135/85 mmHg) and office BP (140/90 mmHg). The relationship between each resistant hypertension group and various factors was analysed using univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

Of the 528 patients, 17.8% were classified with controlled hypertension, 16.1% with isolated office resistant hypertension, 23.5% with isolated home resistant hypertension and 42.6% with sustained resistant hypertension. The presence of hypercholesterolemia was found to have a significant and independent association with isolated office resistant hypertension. Higher office systolic blood pressure (SBP), a past history of ischaemic heart disease, and a lower prescription rate of potassium-sparing diuretics were found to have a significant and independent association with isolated home resistant hypertension. Patients with sustained resistant hypertension had a significantly lower prescription rate of potassium-sparing diuretics than those with controlled hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrated that resistant hypertension is mediated at least partly by the white-coat effect. Home BP measurements and other relevant factors associated with resistant hypertension, such as relatively higher office SBP, type of drugs prescribed, and cardiovascular complications, should be taken into account for the diagnosis and treatment of resistant hypertension.

Efficacy of a home blood pressure monitoring programme on therapeutic compliance in hypertension: the EAPACUM–HTA study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of a programme of home blood pressure measurement (HBPM) on therapeutic compliance in mild-to-moderate hypertension.

DESIGN

A prospective controlled multicentre clinical trial.

SETTING

Forty primary care centres in Spain, with a duration of 6 months.

PATIENTS

A total of 250 patients with newly diagnosed or uncontrolled hypertension were included.

INTERVENTIONS

The patients were randomly selected and distributed in two groups: (1) the control group (CG) who received standard health intervention; (2) the intervention group (IG): the patients in this group received an OMRON in their homes for a programme of HBPM.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Four visits were scheduled, for the measurement of blood pressure (BP). They were provided with an electronic monitor for measuring compliance (monitoring events medication system; MEMS). Therapeutic compliance was defined as a drug consumption of 80-110%. A number of variables were calculated using the MEMS. The mean BP were calculated and the percentage of controlled patients.

RESULTS

A total of 200 patients completed the study (100 in each group). Compliance was observed in 74 and 92%, respectively, in the CG and IG [95% confidence interval (CI) 63.9-84.1 and 86.7-97.3; P = 0.0001], the mean percentage compliances were 87.6 and 93.5% (95% CI 81.2-94 and 80.7-98.3; P = 0.0001), the percentages of correct days were 83.6 and 89.4%, the percentages of subjects who took the medication at the prescribed time were 79.89 and 88.06%, and the levels of therapeutic cover were 86.7 and 93.1%. The number needed to treat to avoid one case of non-compliance was 5.6 patients. The differences in the mean decreases in BP were significant for diastolic BP, with a greater decrease observed in the IG.

CONCLUSIONS

An HBPM programme using electronic monitors is effective in improving compliance in arterial hypertension, measured using the MEMS.

Evidence-based interventions to improve patient compliance with antihypertensive and lipid-lowering medications

The MEDLINE database was searched from 1972 to June 2002 to identify studies of interventions designed to improve compliance with antihypertensive or lipid-lowering medications. Studies were required to employ a controlled design, follow patients for >or=6 months and measure compliance by a method other than patient self-report. The literature review yielded 62 studies describing 79 interventions. Overall, 56% of interventions were reported to improve patient compliance. When only those studies meeting minimum criteria for methodological quality were considered, 22 interventions remained and 12 were recommended, because they demonstrated a significant improvement in compliance. Recommended interventions included fixed-dose combination drugs, once-daily or once-weekly dosing schedules, unit-dose packaging, educational counselling by telephone, case management by pharmacists, treatment in pharmacist- or nurse-operated disease management clinics, mailed refill reminders, self-monitoring, dose-tailoring, rewards and various combination strategies. Personalised, patient-focused programs that involved frequent contact with health professionals or a combination of interventions were the most effective at improving compliance. Less-intensive strategies, such as prescribing products that simplify the medication regimen or sending refill reminders, achieved smaller improvements in compliance but may be cost-effective due to their low cost.

Home Blood Pressure Measurement

The purpose of this research was to review the literature on home blood pressure measurement (HBPM) and to provide recommendations regarding HBPM assessment. Observational studies on HBPM, published after 1992, as identified by PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane literature searches were reviewed. Studies were selected if they met the following criteria: 1) self-measurements had been performed with validated devices; 2) measurement procedures were described in sufficient detail; and 3) papers clearly explained how final HBPM results were calculated upon which conclusions and/or treatment decisions were based. Office blood pressure measurement (OBPM) yields higher blood pressure values than HBPM. For systolic blood pressure, differences between OBPM and HBPM increase with age and the height of office pressure. Differences also tend to be greater in men than in women and greater in patients without than in those with antihypertensive treatment. Furthermore, HBPM can diagnose normotension with almost absolute certainty; it correlates better with target organ damage and cardiovascular mortality than OBPM, it enables prediction of sustained hypertension in patients with borderline hypertension, and it proves to be an appropriate tool for assessing drug efficacy. Despite some limitations and although more data are needed, HBPM is suitable for routine clinical practice.

A conceptually based approach to understanding chronically ill patients' responses to medication cost pressures

Prescription medications enhance the well-being of most chronically ill patients. Many individuals, however, struggle with how to pay for their treatments and as a result experience problems with self-care and health maintenance. Although studies have documented that high out-of-pocket costs are associated with medication non-adherence, little research on prescription cost sharing has been theoretically grounded in knowledge of the more general determinants of patients' self-management behaviors and chronic disease outcomes. We present a conceptual framework for understanding the influence of patient, medication, clinician, and health system factors on individuals' responses to medication costs. We review what is known about how these factors influence medication adherence, identify possible strategies through which clinicians, health systems, and policy-makers may assist patients burdened by their medication costs, and highlight areas in need of further research. Although medication costs represent a burden to chronically ill patients worldwide, most patients report using their medication as prescribed despite the costs, and others report cost-related underuse despite an apparent ability to afford those treatments. The cost-adherence relationship is modified by contextual factors, including patients' characteristics (e.g., age, ethnicity, and attitudes toward medications), the type of medications they are using (e.g., the complexity of dosing and the drug's clinical target), clinician factors (e.g., choice of first-line agent and communication about medication costs), and health system factors (e.g., efforts to influence clinicians' prescribing and to help patients apply for financial assistance programs). Understanding these relationships will enable clinicians and policy-makers to better design pharmacy benefits and assist patients in taking their medication as prescribed. The next generation of studies examining the consequences of prescription drug costs should expand our knowledge of the ways in which these co-factors influence patients' responses to medication cost pressures.

Improving control of hypertension by an integrated approach -- results of the 'Manage it well!' programme

BACKGROUND

Patient non-compliance is a significant contributor to poor blood pressure control. Although measures to improve compliance are known, they are not in routine use.

OBJECTIVE

To apply measures based on current recommendations in an integrated approach in the 'Manage it well!' (MIW) programme, and to determine the improvement in blood pressure control.

DESIGN AND SETTING

During the prospective open cohort study, 348 primary and 156 secondary care centres enrolled 6941 hypertensive patients and followed them for 6 months.

INTERVENTIONS

An integrated intervention package also applicable to everyday practice was introduced to improve treatment adherence, including education programmes for patients and physicians, tight follow-up with frequent office visits and regular home blood pressure measurements. Treatment was based on either trandolapril or verapamil SR with dose titration, with added-on therapy if necessary.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Rates of control of blood pressure to < 140/90 mmHg.

RESULTS

Data were evaluated from 5468 patients, 72% known to have hypertension and 26% newly diagnosed [2% not available (n.a.)]. At baseline only 2.9% of treated patients had their hypertension well controlled (< 140/90 mmHg), but during the programme this increased to 40.9% (P < 0.001). The absolute reduction in office blood pressure was also significant (from 168 +/- 19/97 +/- 11 mmHg to 139 +/- 13/83 +/- 7 mmHg; P < 0.001). No differences in blood pressure control were found between trandolapril and verapamil SR regimens. Office blood pressure was greater than home blood pressure at baseline (168 +/- 19/97 +/- 11 mmHg compared with 151 +/- 17/89 +/- 10 mmHg; P < 0.001), but this difference disappeared at 6 months (139 +/- 13/83 +/- 7 mmHg compared with 140 +/- 13/84 +/- 7 mmHg, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The integrated, patient-focused approach used in the MIW programme significantly increases the success of treatment in a 'real-world' setting.

Appraisal of the knowledge of hypertensive patients and assessment of the role of the pharmacists in the management of hypertension: results of a regional survey

The objectives of the study were to appraise the knowledge which the patients have about their hypertension, and to assess the knowledge and involvement of pharmacists in the management of the hypertensive patient. All the pharmacies in the Poitou-Charentes area were invited both to participate in a training session about arterial hypertension and asked to fill in a pharmacist's questionnaire. Furthermore, each participant was required to submit a patient's questionnaire to 20 consecutive hypertensives. A total of 104 pharmacies and 1015 hypertensive patients participated in the survey. In all, 88% of the patients (n = 893) were aware of their blood pressure (BP) figures, but 68% (349/515) considered themselves wrongly, to be normalized; 39% (n = 350) only had BP figures <140/90 mmHg. They said they had been poorly informed about recommended lifestyle changes. In all, 18% (n = 185) were equipped with an automatic device. A total of 77% (n = 779) were able to give the names of their drugs without the help of the pharmacist. Treatment-related unwanted effects were reported by 8% of the patients (n = 79). Only 18% (n = 29) of the pharmacists were able to provide a correct definition of hypertension. Most of them thought hypertension was well controlled in the general population and considered that both tolerance of and compliance with antihypertensive treatment were satisfactory. They could most often (80%, n = 135) supply a SBPM device, but 58 (36%) only were able to provide relevant advice regarding the recommended procedures. In conclusion, The BP goals and the lifestyle modifications are poorly known by the hypertensives. Pharmacists' knowledge is frequently wrong and should be improved by appropriate training programmes.

Sympathetic and parasympathetic activation in heart rate variability in male hypertensive patients under mental stress

Disturbed sympathetic and also parasympathetic activity of the autonomic nervous system points to pathological alterations in the cardiovascular system. Untreated hypertensive subjects were examined with respect to the question of whether an increase in sympathetic activity necessarily goes along with a reduction in parasympathetic activity, and whether 'delayed' recovery behaviour after mental stress could be an indicator of a disturbed cardiovascular function. In 20 male hypertensive (HT) and 20 normotensive (NT) subjects (control group), heart rate variability (HRV) was compared during rest and under mental stress. The testing procedure consisted of the following phases: habituation, arithmetic tasks without and with interference, recovery. HRV was analysed using the trigonometric regressive spectral analysis (TRS). Proceeding from the total variance (ms2), the weighted averaged frequency (Hz) and the variance parts (ms2) in the frequency bands 'low frequency' (LF-band: 0.04-0.15 Hz) and 'high frequency' (HF-band: 0.15-0.40 Hz) were explored. The variance part modulated by spontaneous breathing within the HF-band was assessed additionally. The variance part in the LF-band under mental stress was significantly increased in the HT group (P<0.01). Activity in the HF-band (without the respiration-dependent part) under mental stress did not differ between both groups, whereas the breathing-modulated part of variance in the HF-band was reduced in the HT subjects. During the recovery period in the HT group, the weighted averaged frequency was still elevated compared to baseline, and the variance part in the LF-band was increased, which may point to delayed recovery behaviour. In addition, by using a discriminant analysis 85% of all subjects were reclassified to the original groups, all HT subjects being assigned 'correctly'. Spectral variance parameters enable early discovery of altered cardiovascular regulation. Respiration influences variance in the HF-band in hypertensive subjects and should therefore be paid attention to. The variance part in the LF-band, weighted averaged frequency and the respiration-modulated variance in the HF-band turned out to be the most valid parameters for the differentiation between NT and HT subjects.

Physician-nurse team approaches to improve blood pressure control

Hypertension is an asymptomatic chronic disease that contributes to the development of serious health problems including coronary artery disease, chronic renal failure, and stroke. Despite published guidelines addressing goals for the treatment of hypertension, control rates (defined as a blood pressure <140/90 mm Hg) have not increased in recent years, and uncontrolled hypertension remains a serious public health issue. Both patient- and provider-related factors contribute to these poor control rates, and new approaches to the management of hypertension must be sought. In this review, we describe unique physician-nurse team approaches to improve the control of hypertension both in a subspecialty hypertension practice and in a primary care clinic setting. By implementing practice models that result in sustainable improvements in blood pressure control rates, the morbidity and mortality resulting from target organ damage and ensuing costs to society may be expected to decline as well.

Controlling Blood Pressure in 50% of All Hypertensive Patients: An Achievable Goal in the Healthy People 2010 Report?

Background

One important objective defined in the Healthy People 2010 report was to improve blood pressure (BP) control to < 140/90 mm Hg in 50% of all hypertensive patients. Because the US population is becoming older, more obese, and ethnically diverse, the health and economic benefits of reaching this goal become more valuable each year. Hypertension control rates are currently at ∼ 31% of all hypertensives and have risen slowly and erratically since 1988. In the absence of a coordinated strategic plan, achieving this critically important goal for BP control is highly unlikely.

Methods

A selected literature review was undertaken to briefly assess the cardiovascular benefits of controlling hypertension. Greater focus was placed on variables that impact hypertension awareness, treatment, and control. The impact on hypertension control rates of theoretic changes in awareness, treatment, and control individually and collectively was examined. Four categories of potential barriers to optimizing BP control are discussed: systems, provider, patient, and treatment factors.

Results

Raising awareness to 80% of all hypertensives, ensuring treatment of 90% of aware hypertensives, and controlling BP to < 140/90 mm Hg in 70% of treated patients would achieve control rates of 50%.

Conclusions

The barriers to achieving the Healthy People 2010 goal of controlling hypertension in 50% of all patients are formidable but appear to be resolvable with a coordinated strategic plan. Given projected demographic changes in the United States, the health and economic benefits of attaining the national goal for hypertension control would seem to merit a serious integrated effort.

Self-blood-pressure monitoring--a questionnaire study: response, requirement, training, support-group popularity and recommendations

The objective of this study was to survey hypertensive patients' response to, requirement for and training in self-blood pressure monitoring (SBPM). A total of 222 hypertensives were invited to complete a questionnaire even when not participating in the project. Questions supplied information on demographics, monitoring frequency, convenience of attending the surgery, monitor ownership and preference for and ease of self-monitoring. Comments supplied qualitative data. Training group questionnaires supplied similar data as well as SBPM data before and after training. Of 133 respondents, a higher educated, younger, wider age range wanted to participate (76; 57.2%) and tended to self-monitor. However, only an increase in further education (FE) was associated with an increased probability of participation and inclination to self-monitor in the multivariate analyses. A positive relationship exists between age and frequency in both groups. About a sixth of respondents own monitors and ownership is correlated to FE. Although most patients found it convenient to visit the surgery, the percentage finding it convenient was lower in patients attending training sessions than in the original survey, possibly indicating that independence is important for SBPM. Younger, higher-educated patients tended to self-monitor although FE was again the significant factor. Training increased preference for the idea of SBPM, prospective monitor ownership (64.8% of non-owners) and self-monitoring intention (76.1%). Patients found recording card listed cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks valuable and 69.6% (32) wanted to establish a support group. Comments and interviews indicated haphazard knowledge, routines and uncertainty about SBPM. A standardised procedure including patient assessment, SBPM protocol and lifestyle education is needed for SBPM to be successful.

Blood pressure-lowering effects of biofeedback treatment in hypertension: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

To examine the blood pressure-lowering effects of biofeedback treatment in patients with essential hypertension, a meta-analysis was conducted on studies published between 1966 and 2001. A total of 22 randomized controlled studies with 905 essential hypertensive patients were selected for review. Compared with clinical visits or self-monitoring of blood pressure (non-intervention controls), biofeedback intervention resulted in systolic and diastolic blood pressure reductions that were greater by 7.3 mmHg (for systole; 95% confidence interval: 2.6 to 12.0) and 5.8 mmHg (for diastole; 95% confidence interval: 2.9 to 8.6). Compared with sham or non-specific behavioral intervention controls, the net reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressures by biofeedback intervention were 3.9 (95% confidence interval: -0.3 to 8.2) and 3.5 (-0.1 to 7.0) mmHg, respectively. The results of multiple regression analysis also indicated that biofeedback intervention decreased systolic and diastolic blood pressures more than non-intervention controls (p < 0.001), but not more than sham or non-specific behavioral intervention controls (p > 0.05), when controlling for the effects of initial blood pressures. When biofeedback intervention types were classified into two types, simple biofeedback and relaxation-assisted biofeedback, only the relaxation-assisted biofeedback significantly decreased both systolic and diastolic blood pressures (p < 0.05) compared with those in sham or non-specific behavioral intervention controls. The results suggested that biofeedback was more effective in reducing blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension than no intervention. However, the treatment was only found to be superior to sham or non-specific behavioral intervention when combined with other relaxation techniques. Further studies will be needed to determine whether biofeedback itself has an antihypertensive effect beyond the general relaxation response.

The role of home blood pressure measurement in managing hypertension: an evidence-based review

This article reviews the current literature regarding the role of home measurement of blood pressure (BP) in the management of hypertension. Subjects with hypertension can use simple automated devices to measure their own BP at home. The results can be accurate and reliable, and because multiple readings allow a mean value to be calculated, a better estimate of the underlying BP level is obtained. Home measurement of BP gives results which are equivalent to the accepted 'gold standard' measure of ambulatory BP values, whilst using a simpler and much less expensive technique which is therefore more widely available. Both methods are better than conventional office measurements in identifying the 'true' or underlying mean BP level and identifying falsely raised levels or 'white coat hypertension'. White coat hypertension confounds the treatment of hypertension, but may not be entirely harmless. Ambulatory BP is a better predictor of cardiovascular prognosis than clinic BP. The use of home BP measurement as an equivalent, feasible, and (apparently) more cost-effective technique to measure BP in hypertension, should enable groups of patients with a poorer prognosis to be identified and their treatment adjusted in order to improve their prognosis.

Profiles of patients who control the doses of their antihypertensive drugs by self-monitoring of home blood pressure

The present study profiled patients who control doses of antihypertensive drugs by themselves based on self-monitoring of their blood pressure (self-controllers). A total of 1,028 consecutive outpatients who were taking antihypertensive drugs and who were attending the cardiovascular outpatient clinic of our institute responded to a questionnaire in 1998. They were asked how often they measured their blood pressure, how often they missed taking their medication, and whether or not they had a chance to adjust the doses of antihypertensive drugs by themselves based on self-monitored blood pressure. The frequency of self-controlling of antihypertensive drugs was also examined in 918 patients on antihypertensive drugs in 1997. In 1997, 23 of 918 patients (2.5%) were self-controllers, and 26 of 1,028 patients (2.5%) were self-controllers in 1998. The frequency of home blood-pressure measurement was significantly greater in self-controllers than in the remaining patients (non self-controllers) (p<0.01). The prevalence of proteinuria was significantly less in the former than in the latter. Prior to the start of antihypertensive drugs, blood pressure was significantly lower for the self-controllers (154.4+/-3.8/96.4+/-1.4 mmHg) than for the non self-controllers (169.3+/-0.7/101.7+/-0.4 mmHg) (p<0.001). Clinically measured blood pressures did not differ significantly between the self-controllers and non self-controllers. Thus, about 2.5% of patients on antihypertensive drugs controlled their drug doses by themselves based on self-monitoring of their blood pressure. These patients were characterized by having a milder form of hypertension and by more frequent home blood-pressure measurement than non self-controllers.

Hypertension and current issues in compliance and patient outcomes

Economic and human costs associated with untreated or inadequately controlled hypertension and its complications continue to be an issue in the United States despite the availability of numerous antihypertensive agents. Knowledge of hypertension, product profiles, tolerability concerns, convenience of dosing, health-related quality of life effects, and cost of therapy are some of the factors that may influence the compliance of patients to their medication regimens. Recent reports on patient noncompliance have focused on patient-provider relationships, psychosocial barriers, home blood pressure monitoring, and electronic monitoring systems to improve blood pressure control. The use of health-related quality of life assessment in antihypertensive studies and in routine clinical practice provides another opportunity to optimize a patient's regimen for short- and long-term hypertension control in a cost-effective manner.