Article
Details
Citation
Hayes P, Casey M, Glynn LG, Molloy GJ, Durand H, O’Brien E, Dolan E, Newell J & Murphy AW (2018) Prevalence of treatment-resistant hypertension after considering pseudo-resistance and morbidity: a cross-sectional study in Irish primary care. British Journal of General Practice, 68 (671), pp. e394-e400. https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp18x696221
Abstract
Background
To confirm treatment-resistant hypertension (TRH), ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM) must exclude white-coat hypertension (WCH), three or more medications should be prescribed at the optimal doses tolerated, and non-adherence and lifestyle should be examined. Most previous studies have not adequately considered pseudo-resistance and merely provide an apparent TRH (aTRH) prevalence figure.
Aim
To conduct a cross-sectional study of the prevalence of aTRH in general practice, and then consider pseudo-resistance and morbidity.
Design and setting
With support, 16 practices ran an anatomical therapeutic chemical (ATC) drug search, identifying patients on any possible hypertensive medications, and then a search of individual patients’ electronic records took place.
Method
ABPM was used to rule out WCH. The World Health Organization-defined daily dosing guidelines determined adequate dosing. Adherence was defined as whether patients requested nine or more repeat monthly prescriptions within the past year.
Results
Sixteen practices participated (n = 50 172), and 646 patients had aTRH. Dosing was adequate in 19% of patients, 84% were adherent to medications, as defined by prescription refill, and 43% had ever had an ABPM. Using a BP cut-off of 140/90 mmHg, the prevalence of aTRH was 9% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 9.0 to 10.0). Consideration of pseudo-resistance further reduced prevalence rates to 3% (95% CI = 3.0 to 4.0).
Conclusion
Reviewing individual patient records results in a lower estimate of prevalence of TRH than has been previously reported. Further consideration for individual patients of pseudo-resistance additionally lowers these estimates, and may be all that is required for management in the vast majority of cases.
Keywords
adherence; cross-sectional studies; dosing; hypertension; primary care; pseudo-resistances
Journal
British Journal of General Practice: Volume 68, Issue 671
Status | Published |
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Funders | |
Publication date | 30/06/2018 |
Publication date online | 08/05/2018 |
Date accepted by journal | 01/01/2018 |
URL | |
Publisher | Royal College of General Practitioners |
ISSN | 0960-1643 |
eISSN | 1478-5242 |
People (1)
Lecturer in Psychology, Psychology