Vol 6, No 3 (2002)
Original paper
Published online: 2002-07-01
The Epidemiologic Study Estimating the Prevalence of Arterial Hypertension in Adult Population in Poland - PENT Study. Part I. The Characteristics of the Prevalence and Control of the Arterial Hypertension
Nadciśnienie tętnicze 2002;6(3):157-166.
Abstract
Background Hypertension is one of the most often chronic diseases in Poland. When uncontrolled, it causes serious direct and distant consequences. Hypertension rarely occurs as isolated disease; therefore important are: estimation
of global risk and correct activity to reduce the blood pressure and global risk.
The object of this study is to estimate the prevalence and control of hypertension in Poland.
Material and methods It was a multicenter screening study, which took place in out-patient clinics all-over country. 430 general practitioners were randomly selected. Each of them had to include 100 consecutive patients into study. The study consisted of three visits.
During the first visit each doctor filled in a questionnaire dealing with coronary risk factors, coexisting cardiovascular diseases and took 5 blood pressure measurements (4 in sitting posture and 1 in standing posture). The patients, whose mean of the third and fourth measurement in sitting position was within the range of hypertension received the hypotensive nonpharmacological treatment and suggestions to change his/her lifestyle. The patients with hypertension detected for the first time were not treated until hypertension was confirmed during the next two visits.
The second and the third visit concerned patients in whom the hypertension was not detected earlier and who had a blood pressure ł 140/90 mm Hg at the first visit. During the visits 3 blood pressure measurements were taken - two in sitting position and one in standing position.
The patients in whom hypertension was confirmed stayed under physician control.
Results 339 general practitioners from all over Poland took part in the study. Each of them examined at least 25 persons. 31 131 patients aged above 18 were examined. Hypertension was found in 44,2% persons. The prevalence of hypertension increased with age. Among hypertensives - 24% were not diagnosed earlier, 6% were diagnosed, but not treated and 51% were diagnosed, but the treatment was not effective. Only in 19% hypertensives the control of blood pressure was effective. Patients with hypertension had significantly higher prevalence of overweight, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Also the mean age and mean pulse pressure was higher in those patients. In more than 60% of hypertensives nonfarmacologic treatment was recommended.
Conclusions Hypertension is a frequent disease in Polish population. Almost half of patients coming to the general practitioners have hypertension. At the same time a half of them was treated, but only one of fifth was effectively treated.
The object of this study is to estimate the prevalence and control of hypertension in Poland.
Material and methods It was a multicenter screening study, which took place in out-patient clinics all-over country. 430 general practitioners were randomly selected. Each of them had to include 100 consecutive patients into study. The study consisted of three visits.
During the first visit each doctor filled in a questionnaire dealing with coronary risk factors, coexisting cardiovascular diseases and took 5 blood pressure measurements (4 in sitting posture and 1 in standing posture). The patients, whose mean of the third and fourth measurement in sitting position was within the range of hypertension received the hypotensive nonpharmacological treatment and suggestions to change his/her lifestyle. The patients with hypertension detected for the first time were not treated until hypertension was confirmed during the next two visits.
The second and the third visit concerned patients in whom the hypertension was not detected earlier and who had a blood pressure ł 140/90 mm Hg at the first visit. During the visits 3 blood pressure measurements were taken - two in sitting position and one in standing position.
The patients in whom hypertension was confirmed stayed under physician control.
Results 339 general practitioners from all over Poland took part in the study. Each of them examined at least 25 persons. 31 131 patients aged above 18 were examined. Hypertension was found in 44,2% persons. The prevalence of hypertension increased with age. Among hypertensives - 24% were not diagnosed earlier, 6% were diagnosed, but not treated and 51% were diagnosed, but the treatment was not effective. Only in 19% hypertensives the control of blood pressure was effective. Patients with hypertension had significantly higher prevalence of overweight, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Also the mean age and mean pulse pressure was higher in those patients. In more than 60% of hypertensives nonfarmacologic treatment was recommended.
Conclusions Hypertension is a frequent disease in Polish population. Almost half of patients coming to the general practitioners have hypertension. At the same time a half of them was treated, but only one of fifth was effectively treated.
Keywords: hypertensionadult Polish populationPENT Study