Objective: To determine the effects related to community-based standardized blood pressure management programs on the control of hypertension.
Methods: A protocol of community-based standardized blood pressure management was developed based on the current Chinese guideline for prevention, treatment of hypertension. Grass-roots caretakers from community health service centers across China were trained using this protocol and required to manage hypertensive patients according to the protocol. Patients were treated on therapeutic life style change or/and medication, and followed up based on the criteria of risk stratification. The control rate of hypertension was evaluated after 1 year. Effect of intervention (EI) was estimated as '1 year rate (mean)' minus the number showed at the baseline.
Results: By the end of 2008, a total of 29 411 hypertensive patients (47.2% for male, mean age 61.4 +/- 10.9 years) with full information had been under management for one year according to the protocol. Among all patients, 8.9% were classified as under low risk, 50.8% as moderate risk and 40.3% as high and very high risk showed in baseline data. After standardized management, the EI of smoking, drinking and systolic/diastolic blood pressure were -7.1% (P < 0.05), -7.3% (P < 0.05), and -14.8-8.3 mm Hg (P < 0.05), respectively. However, EI of overweight/obesity was 0.3% (P > 0.05). For all patients, the control rate rose to 74.7%, with EI as 53.1%, and all of the sub-groups, including age, risk stratification, had significant increases. The longer the management was under, the higher the control rate was seen. Results from the multivariate logistic regression showed that older age, male and having higher blood level were adverse factors for the undertaking the control and management programs of hypertension.
Conclusion: Results from our study showed that standardized management could significantly improve the program on the control of hypertension at the community level, in China.