[Trends in prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of arterial hypertension between 1986 and 1996: the MONICA-Catalonia study].
BACKGROUND
To describe temporal trends in blood pressure (BP) and in the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of arterial hypertension(AH) between 1986-1996 in the MONICA-Catalonia study.


METHODS
Three cross-sectional health surveys in independent random samples of the general population aged 25-64, carried out in 1986-88,1990-92 and 1994-96 according to the WHO-MONICA study protocol.BP was measured twice with a random zero mercury sphygmomanometer.


RESULTS
2,571, 2,934 and 3,485 subjects were examined in each survey with response rates of 74, 67 and 72%, respectively. Age-adjusted mean of systolic BP (SBP) decreased 2 and 4 mmHg (p < 0.001)reaching 120 and 114 mmHg in 1994-96 in men and women, respectively. Diastolic BP (DBP) did not change in men (73-74 mmHg) nor in women(70-71 mmHg). Age-adjusted prevalence of AH (>= 160/95 and/or under pharmacological treatment) was 8% (men) and 10% (women)in 1994-96 and of AH (>= 140/90 and/or under pharmacological treatment) was 15% in both sexes. Awareness of hypertension (AH >= 140/90) increased from 67 to 76%. Treated hypertensives increased from 22 to 40% (men) and from 44 to 54% (women). The use of diuretics and betablockers decreased and ACE inhibitors increased. At the end of the period, 52% of hypertensives were controlled. SBP also decreased in normotensives but not DBP.


CONCLUSIONS
Between 1986 and 1996, the prevalence of AH in Catalonia remained stable although awareness, treatment and control had substantially improved.SBP decreased but DBP remained stable.
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Instituto de Estudios de la Salud. Departamento de Sanidad y Seguridad Social. Generalitat de Catalunya. Barcelona. cronicat@santpau.es
Paluzie
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Balañá
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Puig
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Balaguer-Vintró
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D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003971:Diastole; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012494:Sampling Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013599:Systole