Improved treatment and control of hypertension in Swedish primary care: results from the Swedish primary care cardiovascular database.

OBJECTIVE

To study temporal trends in hypertension treatment and control in Swedish primary care, in relation to clinical characteristics, comorbidity, and drug treatment.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Repeated cross-sectional analysis of 43 239 hypertensive patients attending primary care in 2001-2002 and of 62 407 patients in 2007-2008.

RESULTS

Mean blood pressure (BP) 2007-2008 was 143/79 mmHg in women and 142/81 mmHg in men. Cardiovascular comorbidity and diabetes were present in 13 and 15% of women, and in 18 and 20% of men. Overall BP reductions from 2001-2002 to 2007-2008 were 9.0/3.1 mmHg; greater in women than men, with advancing age, and in patients with comorbidity (all P < 0.001). Attainment of target BP (<140/90 mmHg) increased from 24 and 26% in women and men (2001-2002) to 37 and 37% (2007-2008; all P < 0.001). Most common drug classes in 2001-2002 were, in descending frequency, β blockers, diuretics, and calcium channel blockers (both sexes), and in 2007-2008 β blockers, diuretics, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in women, and β blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and diuretics in men. The number of drug classes/patient increased from 1.5 (2001-2002) to 1.8 (2007-2008; P < 0.001) but remained low (1.7) in those above target BP.

CONCLUSION

BP control in hypertensive patients attending Swedish primary care has improved over 5-7 years, and more so in high-risk groups. There is, however, room for improvement. In uncontrolled hypertension the combination of several drug classes remain low.