Poor hypertension control in Greek patients with diabetes in rural areas. The VANK study in primary care.

INTRODUCTION This study aimed to determine hypertension prevalence and levels of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension among diabetic patients using data from the VANK study. METHODS The sample consisted of 221 men and women (122/99) diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with all participants. Controlled hypertension definition was based on having a systolic blood pressure (BP) of <130 mmHg and diastolic BP of <85 mmHg in subjects taking antihypertensive medications. RESULTS The mean +/- SD BP was 141.6 +/- 17.4 mmHg and 81.2 +/- 9.4 mmHg for systolic and diastolic BPs, respectively. Systolic and diastolic BP was higher in men than in women. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 194/221 (87.7%). In total, 34.1% of patients (66/194) were not aware of having hypertension. Of those who were aware of having hypertension (n = 128, 65.9%), all were treated. Among those treated, only 11 persons (11/194, 5.6%) had systolic BP <130 mmHg and diastolic BP <85 mmHg. Sixty-two (38.7%) had systolic BP <140 mmHg and diastolic BP <90 mmHg. CONCLUSION Although all of the diagnosed hypertensive patients (n = 128) received antihypertensive drug therapy, in only 8.6% (11/128) the treatment was effective (BP <130/85 mmHg). Translating our findings into clinical practice, there is a need for aggressive treatment of hypertension from primary care physicians, as well as regular surveillance to detect developing hypertension in diabetic patients.