Scientists assess ways to measure treatment intensity in hypertension care

18 Jun 2009 - Posted by the Editorial Team

A study designed to compare and contrast the different measures of treatment intensity in hypertension care has concluded that some are more effective than others.

Research from Boston University shows that, when compared with two other methods, blood pressure control can be more accurately predicted using a measure first described by Dr Eni Okonofua and colleagues in the journal Hypertension in 2006.

The investigation centred on whether three assessment techniques could predict the final systolic blood pressure.

It was discovered that only one of the measures was able to predict blood pressure control, leaving it as the only viable solution for treatment intensity assessment.

The researchers are hopeful that the results of the study could lead to greater research and quality improvement possibilities, with lead author Adam Rose, an investigator at the Bedford VA Medical Center, noting that the method is applicable to a wide range of treatment areas.

"Many research and quality improvement efforts already measure or are proposing to measure treatment intensity in the care of chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia," he commented.

According to the BBC, more than one in four people in the UK suffer from hypertension, which is a condition related to high blood pressure.

Login and visit the HypertensionKnowledge Centre

• Discovery could have implications for pulmonary hypertension treatment 27/10/09
• Hypertension can be caused by bread and cereals 08/10/09
• Treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension is developed 14/09/09
• MS symptoms could be aided by hypertension treatment 18/08/09
• Resting blood pressure lowered by beetroot juice 08/08/09

• Revatio 0.8 mg/ml solution for injection
  ... pulmonary arterial hypertension who are currently prescribed oral Revatio and who are temporarily unable to take oral medicine, but are otherwise clinically and haemodynamically stable. Revatio (oral) is indicated for treatment of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension classified as WHO ...
• CARDURA XL Tablets
  Hypertension : Cardura XL is indicated for the treatment of hypertension and can be used as the sole agent to control blood pressure in the majority of patients. In patients inadequately controlled on single antihypertensive therapy, Cardura XL may be used in combination with a thiazide diuretic ...
• TRANDATE tablets
  Trandate Tablets are indicated for the treatment of: 1. Mild, moderate or severe hypertension 2. Hypertension in pregnancy 3. Angina pectoris with existing hypertension
• TRANDATE injection
  Trandate Injection is indicated for the treatment of:- 1. Severe hypertension, including severe hypertension of pregnancy, when rapid control of blood pressure is essential. 2. Anaesthesia when a hypotensive technique is indicated. 3. Hypertensive episodes following acute myocardial infarction
• Thelin 100 mg film-coated tablets
  Treatment of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) classified as WHO functional class III, to improve exercise capacity. Efficacy has been shown in primary pulmonary hypertension and in pulmonary hypertension associated with connective tissue disease ...
• REVATIO 20 mg film-coated tablets
  Treatment of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension classified as WHO functional class III, to improve exercise capacity. Efficacy has been shown in primary pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary hypertension associated with connective tissue disease ...