[Differences between young and elderly patients in a protocol for the diagnosis and follow-up of arterial hypertension]  .
OBJECTIVE
To determine possible differences between the control of hypertension in elderly patients and in young patients.


METHODS
Retrospective observation study of the differences between initial and final systolic and diastolic blood pressure, of their relationship to inclusion in medical treatment, and of the control obtained with different kinds of, and changes in, treatment, of drug association, periodic check-ups, vascular disease and risk factors.


METHODS
The urban Azpilagaña Health District in Pamplona.


METHODS
389 hypertense patients were studied retrospectively: 196 of 70 or over and 193 between 45 and 60.


RESULTS
More older patients were treated medically (91.8% vs 84.5%, p = 0.024), and received combined two-drug treatment (30.1% vs 19.7%, p < 0.001), although the young people received more than two hypertension drugs more often (11.4% vs 2.5%, p < 0.001). Final control (< 140/90) was achieved more often among young people (39.9% vs 26.5%, p = 0.005). In the older patients group initial higher diastolic pressure was related to final pressure control. More older patients had periodic check-ups at the health centre (73.3% vs 63.7%, p < 0.001), but this practice only improved relative control (< or = 140/90) in young people (p = 0.001). Older patients used more diuretics (p < 0.001) and less beta-blockers (p < 0.001), with no differences for other hypertension drugs.


CONCLUSIONS
There are differences based on age in treatment and control of hypertension patients. Older patients with diastolic hypertension are controlled more easily. Altogether and in both groups analysed, the percentage of people with normal pressure after treatment was higher than in other studies.
Serrano Martínez
M
M
Centro de Salud de Azpilagaña, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona. mserranm@nacom.es
Arriola Aperribay
E
E
Fernández Carballal
C
C
Hernáez Rodríguez
R
R
Prado Santamaría
M
M
Martínez-Losa
E
E
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001794:Blood Pressure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents