title: Prevalence of target organ damage in hypertensive subjects attending primary care: C.V.P.C. study (epidemiological cardio-vascular study in primary care).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Except for the established risk factors, presence of target organ damage has an important role in the treatment of hypertensive subjects. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of target organ damage in primary care subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  This multi-centre, cross-sectional survey of 115 primary care physicians recruited 1095 consecutive subjects with hypertension: 611 men (55.8%); and 484 women (44.2%). A detailed history for the presence of cardiovascular disease and a thorough clinical examination was performed to each subject.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the total study population, 44.5% (n = 487) had target organ damage (33.0% had left ventricular hypertrophy, 21.8% increased carotid intima media thickness, 11.0% elevated plasma creatinine levels and 14.6% microalbuminuria). Target organ damage was more prevalent in males than in females (P = 0.05). In addition, males had more often increased carotid intima media thickness than females (P = 0.009). On the contrary, females had more often microalbuminuria (P = 0.06) than males. No differences were observed between the two genders regarding left ventricular hypertrophy (P = 0.35) and elevated plasma creatinine levels (P = 0.21). Logistic regression analysis showed associations between target organ damage and dyslipidemia (P < 0.001), presence of metabolic syndrome (P = 0.005), diabetes (P < 0.001) and coronary artery disease (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A significant proportion of hypertensive subjects in primary care had documented associated target organ damage, with left ventricular hypertrophy being the most prevalent target organ damage.
authors.affiliation: Hellenic Association of Research and Continuing Education in Primary Care, Athens, Greece. pathan@ath.forthnet.gr
authors.forename: Athanasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Papazafiropoulou
authors.forename: Efstathios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Skliros
authors.forename: Alexios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sotiropoulos
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Papafragos
authors.forename: Aristofanis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gikas
authors.forename: Ourania
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Apostolou
authors.forename: Hariklia
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kaliora
authors.forename: Charalambos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tountas
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care