title: Home blood pressure monitoring and self-titration of antihypertensive medications: Proposed patient selection criteria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recent studies have demonstrated that home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM), coupled with self-titration of medications is a viable intervention to control hypertension. There are currently no established criteria to evaluate patients for inclusion in such a program. The purpose of this discussion is to propose criteria for determining if a patient is appropriate to participate in a program of HBPM and self-titration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Inclusion criteria for two self-titration trials were examined, and additional factors in clinical practice were identified and discussed. Additional selection criteria were proposed to support the decision to enroll a patient in an antihypertensive self-titration program.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inclusion criteria from self-titration trials provide a reasonable starting point for choosing appropriate patients in clinical practice, but additional research is necessary. Adaptation of these criteria and consideration of the identified factors can be used to develop decision support instruments. Such instruments should be evaluated for effectiveness and reliability prior to use in clinical practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HBPM combined with self-titration is an effective patient-centered approach for hypertension management. Decision support instruments to determine appropriate patients are necessary for safe and effective use in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018660:Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D018579:Patient Selection; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents
keywords: Hypertension; clinical decision-making; medications; pharmacotherapy