[Drug savings and the outpatient monitoring of arterial pressure in a group of hypertensive patients].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether the introduction of out-patient blood pressure monitoring (OBPM) to follow up patients diagnosed with light hypertension (HT) decreases the use of medicines and so saves money.


METHODS
An observational study.


METHODS
Urban health centre.


METHODS
Patients with light HT not being treated with medication, with two or less cardiovascular risk factors and who had type 0 or 1 curves in OBPM and a mean daily blood pressure < 135/85 mm Hg.


RESULTS
OBPM over 24 hours with a Spacelabs 90202 oscillometer. 23 patients (15 women), average age 38.6 +/- 8, were studied. Savings generated ranged from 153,628 pesetas, when the cheapest thiazide diuretic was prescribed, to 5,208,258 pesetas, when the dearest ACEI was chosen.


CONCLUSIONS
Monitoring HT with OBPM led to a decrease in the use of medicines to combat hypertension, with considerable savings. These findings cannot be generalised. We believe that Primary Care must have access to OBPM in order to manage hypertension, apart from the savings involved.
Pozuelo
G
G
Centro de Salud Universitario La Paz, Unidad Docente de MFyC, Badajoz.
Vergeles-Blanca
J M
JM
Molina
L
L
Cordero
J A
JA
Buitrago
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018660:Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017046:Cost Savings / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics*; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents