Hypertension Clinic Registry: Blood Pressure Control Among Hypertensives In A Specialist-Led Clinic In Ghana
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Date
2021
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Academiaaaa
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: less than a third of those who receive treatment for hypertension get their blood pressure
(BP) controlled to currently recommended targets. Failure of physicians to optimize treatment when encountered with blood
pressure that are only fairly above the recommended control thresholds is largely responsible for the uncontrolled BP in treated
patients. Knowing what and when to add up patient medication is crucial for an optimum BP control. This research study sought
to determine the control of hypertension in a specialist led hypertensive clinic.
METHODOLOGY: We used a retrospective study approach with close-ended questions and medical record review. Blood
pressures were measured at booking, 12 months and 24 months using automated sphygmomanometers
RESULTS: 361 patients were recruited for the study. The study revealed that more than half 223 (61.8%) were diagnosed with
hypertension (HPT) only and 138 (38.2%) diagnosed of both HPT and diabetes. The majority 234 (64.8%) had family history of
hypertension. At booking, almost three quarters 263 (72.9%) of the patients’ blood pressure were uncontrolled with a mean and
standard deviation of 146.3 and 22.2 mmHg respectively. At the period of 12 months (1 year) more than 249 (69.0%) had
controlled blood pressure with a mean and stand deviation of blood pressure of 128.0 and 16.4 mmHg. The majority 272
(75.3%) of the patients’ blood pressures were controlled at 24 months with a mean and standard deviation of 125.3 and 15.2
respectively. Patients on single antihypertensive medication were 2.68 times more likely to develop controlled BP as compared
to patients on two and more antihypertensive medications (aOR=2.68, CI=1.33-5.41). Number of drugs taken per day was the
strong factor associated with controlled BP at twelve months of follow up, such that patients on only one (aOR=7.27,
CI=2.93-18.01) or two (aOR=2.49, CI=1.41-4.40) antihypertensive medication were 7.27 and 2.49 times more likely to have
controlled BP respectively as compared to patients who were taking more than two antihypertensive medications
CONCLUSION: Specialist-led clinic are effective in achieving good BP control and therefore effort should be made at
establishing more of such clinics to reduce the burden of hypertension and achieve optimum blood pressure control among
hypertensives. In addition, a combination therapy is preferred to reduce pill burden, increase compliance, and hence achieve
optimum BP control. It is imperative for the National Health Insurance scheme to support and promote the usage of more
combination therapies for optimal blood pressure control.
Description
This article is published by Academia,2021 and is also available at 10.5580/IJCVR.55734
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Citation
The Internet Journal of Cardiovascular Research Volume 10 Number 1