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[Differences between young and elderly patients in a protocol for the diagnosis and follow-up of arterial
M Serrano Martínez1, E Arriola Aperribay, C Fernández Carballal
1Centro de Salud de Azpilagaña, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona. mserranm@nacom.es
Insights
Elderly patients with hypertension are more likely to receive medical treatment and combined drug therapy. However, younger patients achieved better blood pressure control, though older patients with diastolic hypertension were more easily controlled.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Geriatrics
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Hypertension management in elderly vs. younger populations.
- Retrospective observational study in an urban health district.
Purpose:
- To identify age-related differences in hypertension treatment and control.
- To analyze treatment strategies, drug combinations, and outcomes based on age.
Summary:
- Older patients (≥70 years) received more medical treatment and dual-drug therapy compared to younger patients (45-60 years).
- Younger patients achieved better final blood pressure control (<140/90 mmHg).
- Older patients with higher initial diastolic pressure showed better final control; periodic check-ups benefited younger patients' control.
Impact:
- Highlights age-specific variations in hypertension management effectiveness.
- Suggests potential for tailored therapeutic approaches in elderly hypertension.
- Indicates that while overall control rates were higher than in other studies, age remains a significant factor.
Objective:
To determine possible differences between the control of hypertension in elderly patients and in young patients.
Design:
Retrospective observation study of the differences between initial and final systolic and diastolic blood pressure, of their relationship to inclusion in medical treatment, and of the control obtained with different kinds of, and changes in, treatment, of drug association, periodic check-ups, vascular disease and risk factors.
Setting:
The urban Azpilagaña Health District in Pamplona.
Patients:
389 hypertense patients were studied retrospectively: 196 of 70 or over and 193 between 45 and 60.
Main Results:
More older patients were treated medically (91.8% vs 84.5%, p = 0.024), and received combined two-drug treatment (30.1% vs 19.7%, p < 0.001), although the young people received more than two hypertension drugs more often (11.4% vs 2.5%, p < 0.001). Final control (< 140/90) was achieved more often among young people (39.9% vs 26.5%, p = 0.005). In the older patients group initial higher diastolic pressure was related to final pressure control. More older patients had periodic check-ups at the health centre (73.3% vs 63.7%, p < 0.001), but this practice only improved relative control (< or = 140/90) in young people (p = 0.001). Older patients used more diuretics (p < 0.001) and less beta-blockers (p < 0.001), with no differences for other hypertension drugs.
Conclusions:
There are differences based on age in treatment and control of hypertension patients. Older patients with diastolic hypertension are controlled more easily. Altogether and in both groups analysed, the percentage of people with normal pressure after treatment was higher than in other studies.
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