A Agha1, D Dillon, M Corbett, S Sreenan. 1. Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes Mellitus, James Connolly Memorial Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. amaragha@yahoo.com
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Target blood pressure control in patients with type 2 diabetes should be 130/85 mmHg or less; however, it is not clear how achievable this target is in clinical practice. AIM: To assess the adequacy of blood pressure control in patients with type 2 diabetes attending a busy outpatient clinic. METHODS: One hundred and eight patients with type 2 diabetes were assessed for the presence of hypertension using a cut-off value of 130/85 mmHg. Antihypertensive treatment and diabetic complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Hypertension was present in 67% of patients, in whom 90% were receiving anti-hypertensive treatment. Forty-nine per cent of the treated patients achieved target blood pressure. Of the undertreated patients, 55% were on one antihypertensive agent, 30% were on two agents and 15% were on three or more agents. The corresponding figures for the adequately treated patients were 28%, 31% and 41%, respectively (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: Adequate blood pressure control was underachieved in this patient group underlying the difficulty in treating blood pressure to target values in patients with type 2 diabetes in the setting of outpatient diabetes clinics. A more aggressive strategy, in particular the use of multiple antihypertensive agents should be adopted.
BACKGROUND: Target blood pressure control in patients with type 2 diabetes should be 130/85 mmHg or less; however, it is not clear how achievable this target is in clinical practice. AIM: To assess the adequacy of blood pressure control in patients with type 2 diabetes attending a busy outpatient clinic. METHODS: One hundred and eight patients with type 2 diabetes were assessed for the presence of hypertension using a cut-off value of 130/85 mmHg. Antihypertensive treatment and diabetic complications were evaluated. RESULTS:Hypertension was present in 67% of patients, in whom 90% were receiving anti-hypertensive treatment. Forty-nine per cent of the treated patients achieved target blood pressure. Of the undertreated patients, 55% were on one antihypertensive agent, 30% were on two agents and 15% were on three or more agents. The corresponding figures for the adequately treated patients were 28%, 31% and 41%, respectively (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: Adequate blood pressure control was underachieved in this patient group underlying the difficulty in treating blood pressure to target values in patients with type 2 diabetes in the setting of outpatientdiabetes clinics. A more aggressive strategy, in particular the use of multiple antihypertensive agents should be adopted.
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