Colon cancer screening consultations may identify racial disparity in hypertension diagnosis and management

There are significant health disparities between African Americans and whites in the United States. While colon cancer screening aids in decreasing the morbidity and mortality from colon cancer in African Americans, other health risks may also be identified during gastroenterology consultations. This study evaluated whether there is a disparity in the prevalence of hypertension and hypertension management in African Americans compared to whites who are referred for colon cancer screening consultations. The medical records of 258 patients (90 African Americans and 168 whites) were reviewed. Seventy-two of 90 (80%) African-American patients and 42 of 168 (25%) white patients had hypertension. There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.005) in the rate of hypertension in African Americans compared to whites. Medications were prescribed by their referring physicians for 42 (58%) of the hypertensive African Americans, with 36 noted to have inadequately controlled blood pressure. Thirty (42%) of the hypertensive African-American patients were never prescribed blood pressure medications. Medications were prescribed by their referring physician for 36 (86%) of the hypertensive white patients, with six noted to have inadequately controlled blood pressure. Six (14%) of the hypertensive white patients were never prescribed blood pressure medications. There was a statistically significant difference in the rate of blood pressure control (p = 0.007) between African-American and white patients who were referred for colon cancer screening. Increased efforts are necessary to identify critical health concerns of all patients and to decrease health disparities between African Americans and whites in the United States.