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[The DISEHTAC II study: diagnosis and follow-up of hypertension in Catalonia. comparison with 1996 data]

M Benítez Camps1, S Pérez Zamora, A Dalfó Baqué

  • 1EAP Gòtic, SAP Ciutat Vella, ICS, Barcelona, Spain. 32211mbc@comb.es

Atencion Primaria
|February 5, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Hypertension management improved in Catalonia, with better blood pressure control and follow-up. However, screening for cardiovascular risk factors and diagnosis of hypertension needs further improvement.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Primary Care Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Hypertension diagnosis and management are crucial in primary care.
  • Cardiovascular risk factor evaluation is essential for effective hypertension management.
  • Guidelines for Hypertension for Primary Care (Guía de Hipertensión Arterial para la Atención Primaria) provide a framework for optimal patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate changes in hypertension diagnosis and follow-up.
  • To assess cardiovascular risk evaluation in Catalan primary care centers.
  • To compare current practices with established hypertension management guidelines.

Main Methods:

  • Multicenter, observational, before-after study (1996-2001) in primary care settings.
  • Analysis of 990 patient records from twelve primary care centers.
  • Evaluation of diagnostic criteria, blood pressure measurement frequency, and screening for cardiovascular risk factors (diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, obesity, left ventricular hypertrophy).

Main Results:

  • Improved blood pressure control observed, with a statistically significant increase in patients achieving <140/90 mm Hg.
  • Follow-up improved, with a higher percentage of patients having blood pressure measured within the preceding six months.
  • Screening for cardiovascular risk factors showed a decline, with only 50.4% of patients assessed in 2001 compared to 63.1% in 1996.

Conclusions:

  • Hypertension follow-up in Catalonia has significantly improved since 1996.
  • Despite improved follow-up, the diagnosis of hypertension risk factors and comprehensive cardiovascular risk evaluation remain areas for improvement.
  • Further efforts are needed to enhance the integrated management of hypertension and its associated risk factors in primary care.
Abstract

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