title: [Control of blood pressure in hypertensive patients on combination therapy].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The impact of antihypertensive treatment on blood pressure (BP) control is fairly unknown. The aim of the study was to evaluate the degree of BP control and its relationship with treatment-related factors in hypertensive patients treated with 2 or 3 agents and attended in referral units.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 1,337 hypertensive subjects (41% women) with a mean age (SD) of 63 (12) years, who were receiving 2 or 3 antihypertensive drugs. The degree of BP control was estimated in a single visit by the proportion of patients with BP below 140/90mmHg.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BP was controlled in 767 patients (57%). Lack of BP control was related to older age (12% risk for each 10-year increase) and the presence of microalbuminuria (64% risk increase). In those treated with 2 agents, BP control was 61%, without differences between those treated with fixed-drug or free combinations. BP control in those treated with 3 agents was 55%, higher in those receiving 3 agents in a fixed-drug combination (68%) compared with those on 3 agents administered separately (52%; P=.025). Drug classes used in combinations did not influence the degree of BP control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The degree of BP control in patients treated with 2 or 3 agents is 57%. Microalbuminuria is related to a lack of BP control. In those receiving 3 agents, the use of fixed-drug combinations is associated with better BP control.
authors: Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Mutua Terrassa, Universidad de Barcelona, Barcelona, España. Electronic address: adelasierra@mutuaterrassa.es.
authors: Alejandro
authors: A
authors: de la Sierra
authors: Servicio de Nefrología, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, España.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Oliveras
authors: Área de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares, Hospital Moisés Broggi, Sant Joan Despí, Barcelona, España.
authors: Pedro
authors: P
authors: Armario
authors: Departamento Médico, Menarini, Barcelona, España.
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Lucas
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000209:etiology; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D015897:Comorbidity; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents
keywords: Asociaciones farmacológicas; Blood pressure control; Control de la presión arterial; Drug combinations; Hipertensión arterial; Hypertension; Microalbuminuria; Oligoalbuminuria