Hypertension control improved through patient education. Chinese PEP Investigators

To evaluate the effects of patient education for hypertension on hypertension control.

Of 169 eligible patients (systolic blood pressure > or = 160 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure > or = 95 mmHg), 60 were assigned to educational group (group E, antihypertensive drug treatment with an addition of patient education) and 109 to routine group (group R, antihypertensive drug treatment alone). The average follow-up approximated to 3 years.

The blood pressure was reduced from at baseline and sustained in the three-year follow-up by 20/13 mmHg in group E and by 22/13 mmHg in group R. For this similar blood pressure reduction, about 10 mg less of metoprolol and 6 mg less of nitrendipine were used in group E than in group R. The percentage of the patients in whom goal blood pressure (under 160/90 mmHg) was achieved during follow-up was higher and progressively increased in group E (1st year: 65%, 2nd year: 72%) in comparison with in group R (1st year: 45%; 2nd year: 55%). Body weight was significantly reduced by 1.36 and 1.81 kg from at baseline to at the 1st and 2nd year repeated measurements in group E. The significant reduction from at baseline to at the 2nd year was significantly different from that in group R (P = 0.02). For 24-hour urinary sodium excretion, it was decreased in the group E, whereas it was increased in the group R. The cumulative rates of hypertension-related complications were 4.43% in group E and 7.02% in group R (absolute difference = 2.59%, P = 0.48). The rate of missed appointments was somewhat higher in group R (10%) than in group E (7%) during the first year but lower in the 2nd and 3rd year (R vs E: 10% vs 2% in the 2nd year; 8% vs 2% in the 3rd year). Four patients lost to follow-up in group R (6.87%) and 1 patient in group E (1.74%, P = 0.08).

The findings of this study suggest that patient education is of some benefits to the hypertension control.