Risk factor profile and achievement of treatment goals among hypertensive patients in general practice in Israel: baseline results from the Israeli Blood Pressure Control (IBPC) program.

BACKGROUND

The Israeli Blood Pressure Control program was initiated to enhance the control of modifiable risk factors among high risk hypertensive patients followed by general practitioners in Israel.

OBJECTIVE

To report the baseline results of the state of the treatment regarding blood pressure management, lipid and glucose control as well as obesity and smoking cessation among the patients.

METHODS

Hypertensive patients were screened in 30 general practice clinics supervised by family medicine specialists seeing 1,000-5,000 patients each. Between 50 and 250 hypertensive patints were diagnosed at each participating clinic. Blood pressure levels, body mass index, lipid and glucose levels, as well as target organ damage and medications were recorded for all patients.

RESULTS

Of the 4,948 patients registered, 2,079 were males (42%). Mean age was 64.8 +/- 12. Blood pressure control was achieved in only 33.1% of total hypertensive patients. Low density lipoprotein control was achieved in 31.1% of all patients, and glucose control in only 28.5%% of diabetic patients (glucose < 126 mg/dl); 20.7% of the diabetics had glucose levels above 200 mg/dl. In this group of patients 38.9% were obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2). While there were more obese females than males (48.0% vs. 35.6%), no difference was found in blood pressure, lipid or glucose control between the genders.

CONCLUSION

Risk factor management of hypertensive patients attending general practice clinics in Israel is not optimal, especially among those with diabetes or in need of secondary prevention measures. A long-term intervention program for high risk patients in the community is needed to improve the current situation.