The Skaraborg hypertension project. III. Influence on blood pressure of a medical care program for hypertension.

Aiming at a better control of hypertension, a medical care program including nurse-run outpatient hypertension clinics was implemented in one half of the County of Skaraborg (265000 inhabitants), the other half forming a control area. The program was evaluated during a 5-year trial. Among patients registered and followed up for a minimum of one year (n = 2806), systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly, regardless of the patients' status of treatment prior to admission to the clinics. A baseline and a terminal population study revealed an increasing effectiveness in the treatment of hypertension in the study area. A consistent difference (mean 8/5 mmHg) was found in average blood pressure between patients treated at the hypertension clinics and patients treated in regular care. It is concluded that the medical care program increased the effectiveness of care and that this was due to the program organization.