Choosing a definition of hypertension: impact on epidemiological estimates.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of the use of different definitions on epidemiological estimates of hypertension.


METHODS
The four most commonly accepted definitions of hypertension were applied to the 2353 subjects of a hypertension population prevalence survey in Québec.


RESULTS
Depending on the definition used, the estimated prevalences of hypertension ranged from 9.6 to 19.9%, from 9.3 to 22.5% for men and from 9.9 to 17.4% for women. Successful control ranged from 15.5 to 68.1%. Regardless of the definition employed, lack of case detection was the main barrier to hypertension control, from 73.2 to 77.1% for men and from 34.6 to 62.0% for women. Lack of appropriate treatment or compliance, or both, was a more important barrier to blood pressure control for women than for men.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that the choice of a definition has an important impact on clinically and epidemiologically relevant hypertension estimates for impending clinical and public health decisions.
Guibert
R
R
Department of Family Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Canada.
Franco
E D
ED
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology