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Differences in the classification of hypertensive controlled patient in primary care: Cross sectional study

Lena Barrera1, Christopher Millett, Marta Blangiardo

  • 1Department of Primary Care & Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College , Charing Cross Campus, London W6 8RP , UK ; Department of Internal Medicine Universidad del Valle , Calle 5 No. 36-08 Puiso 2, Cali , Colombia.

JRSM Short Reports
|November 20, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Blood pressure control targets were better achieved using the Quality and Outcome Framework (QOF) standards compared to National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines. Older men were more likely to meet these hypertension control targets.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Public Health
  • Health Services Research

Background:

  • Blood pressure control is crucial for preventing cardiovascular disease.
  • National guidelines and quality frameworks set targets for hypertension management.
  • Discrepancies between guidelines may impact patient care and practice performance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare blood pressure control rates using 2006 National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines and 2007 Quality and Outcome Framework (QOF) standards.
  • To identify patient demographics associated with achieving hypertension control targets.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study involving 28 general practices in London.
  • Analysis of hypertensive patients aged 17 years and over.
  • Assessment of the percentage of patients classified as hypertensive controlled patients (HCP) against NICE and QOF targets.

Main Results:

  • Higher rates of hypertension control were observed using QOF targets (79.5%) versus NICE targets (60.7%).
  • A significantly higher percentage of practices met the 70% HCP threshold with QOF (93%) compared to NICE (14%).
  • Men aged 45-64 and 65+ were more likely to be classified as HCP under QOF targets, with increasing likelihood by age.

Conclusions:

  • The less stringent QOF target facilitates better achievement of blood pressure control.
  • Older men, particularly those 65 and over, were more likely to achieve HCP status.
  • Alignment between QOF clinical targets and NICE guidance is necessary for consistent hypertension management.
Abstract

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