Evaluating Effectiveness of Blood Pressure Control in Mild to Moderate Hypertension at the Korle Bu Polyclinic, Accra

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of blood pressure treatment in patients with mild to moderate hypertension attending the Korle-Bu Polyclinic in Accra.
Design: An observational study involving a retrospective review of patient charts.
Subjects and Methods: We evaluated charts of patients managed at the Korle-Bu Polyclinic for mild to moderate hypertension over a 3 year period from 2005 to 2007. Charts were selected by multistage sampling and data including initial and follow-up blood pressure
measurements were extracted by means of a checklist. Hypertension was diagnosed using the 2003 World Health Organization (WHO)/International Society for Hypertension (ISH) statement on the management of hypertension.
Outcome measure: We expected to document a drop in blood pressure of at least 20mmHg (systolic) and or 10 mmHg (diastolic) as a consequence of treatment instituted at the poly clinic over the period under study.
Results: The study reviewed 455 charts. About 1 in 4 patients (26.7%, [95% CI, 0.20 – 0.35])diagnosed and on drug treatment for hypertension had a decrease in blood pressure of 20 mm Hg (systolic) and or 10 mm Hg (diastolic). A similar number of patients (126,
27.7%) less than 40 years of age were found with elevated blood pressure.
Conclusion: Majority of the patients with mild to moderate hypertension showed poor response to treatment of their blood pressure. A significant proportion of patients with elevated blood pressure were young, i.e. less than forty years of age.