[Determination of prevalence and control level of hypertension in the community: Hypertension Management Audit Project--Vicenza].

As a part of the "Hypertension Management Audit Project" a random sample of 4070 subjects was drawn from the population aged 35-64 living in the city of Vicenza, in order to assess the prevalence and the level of control of hypertension in the community. 2854 (70.1%) were screened in the first step of the survey. Two blood pressure (BP) reading, height and weight measurements were performed and a short questionnaire filled in. Systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were (mean and 95% confidence interval) 143.7 (142.6-144.7) and 88.3 (87.7-88.8) mmHg in males; 137.8 (136.8-138.8) and 84.9 (84.5-85.5) mmHg in females, respectively. The BP value corresponding to the 95 degrees percentile of the cumulative distribution of BP was 180 mmHg for SBP and 105 mmHg for DBP in males; 173 mmHg for SBP and 100 mmHg for DBP in females. Systo-diastolic hypertension was present in 12.3% of the screened population; isolated diastolic hypertension in 9.1%; isolated systolic hypertension in 5.3%; borderline hypertension in 31.6%; severe hypertension (DBP > or = 115 mmHg) was present in 1.9% of females and in 2.2% of males. Prevalence in males was significantly higher with respect to females in all three categories of defined hypertension, but not in borderline hypertension. The second step of the survey involved 849 subjects (29.7% of the screened population) who completed two re-examinations because at the screening they had: 1) history of high BP; 2) BP > or = 160/95 mmHg; 3) ongoing antihypertensive treatment. At the end of the survey, 772 of these subjects (91%) were confirmed as hypertensives (mean BP of six readings > or = 140/90 mmHg and/or taking antihypertensive drugs). Patients aware of their high BP were 78.8%; aware and treated 51.0%; treated and controlled (BP < 140/90 mmHg) 19.1%. All indices of control were significantly higher in female with respect to male patients. Treated patients were significantly older than untreated patients; treated females had significantly lower BP than treated males, whereas no difference was detected between untreated patients; patients unaware of high BP had the highest BP values if compared to treated and untreated patients. This survey reveals a high prevalence of hypertension in the adult population of the city of Vicenza; quality of control shows a moderate improvement if compared to previous studies carried out in our country.