Hypertension and medical informatics.
BACKGROUND
Only about 27% of Americans with hypertension have their disease under control. Hypertension in the African-American population has a higher prevalence (32%) and is less likely to be treated or controlled compared with that in the caucasian population. Hypertension places a significant burden on patients and health care systems. Applications of medical informatics can facilitate the management of hypertension. Examples that illustrate the utility, status, and future potential of medical informatics applications in the treatment of hypertension are presented.


METHODS
Relevant studies and review articles were accessed through a PubMed search of the English-language literature and for current Internet-based information for the time period of 1993-2002. Search terms included, but were not limited to, hypertension, medical informatics, medical information science, electronic medical records, Internet, and managed care.


RESULTS
There is evidence that medical informatics has a favorable impact on health care issues as it relates to patients and physicians. Although the use of computers to assist in managing hypertension is in its infancy, there are examples where informatics applications have a demonstrated clinical value.


CONCLUSIONS
Management of hypertension needs much improvement. The use of computers and the Internet in health care is expanding and expected to have a positive impact on the management of chronic diseases, such as hypertension.
McBride
William
W
Merck & Co. Inc., Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, USA. william_mcbride@merck.com
Ferrario
Carlos
C
Lyle
Paulette A
PA
D044383:Black People; D002140:California; D016208:Databases, Factual; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000628:therapy; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008329:Managed Care Programs; D008350:Manitoba; D008490:Medical Informatics; D014481:United States; D044465:White People; D001741:Black or African American