Appraisal of the Knowledge of Hypertensive Patients Regarding Blood Pressure Control and Comorbidities: Results of a French Regional Survey.
BACKGROUND
Knowledge about hypertension might influence blood pressure (BP) control and adherence to treatment.


OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted in collaboration with 11 pharmacies to assess the level of knowledge about hypertension and BP targets among the hypertensive population in the French region of Alsace.


METHODS
Study participants (N = 380) were hypertensive adult patients visiting a pharmacy spontaneously from June to October, 2013, to get their regular prescribed medications including at least one antihypertensive agent. After filling a questionnaire, they were asked to record their BP themselves.


RESULTS
The participants were 66 years of age, mostly women (51%), non smokers (80%), with an education level lower than A-level (70%). Of them, 35% were obese and 74% reported being hypertensive for more than 12 years. Almost half of them used a home BP monitor. When queried about BP targets, 78% of participants gave values under 140/90 mm Hg. Heart disease and stroke were reported to be associated with hypertension by 78 and 66% of participants, respectively. Participants were taking two pharmacological classes mostly administered as fixed-combination drugs and 39.5% were compliant. Optimal BP targets (135/85) were achieved by 43%. A better BP control was observed significantly (p = 0.02) more often when BP targets were known. Uncontrolled participants were more likely (p = 0.006) to be aware of being hypertensive and less satisfied with BP control (p = 0.003).


CONCLUSIONS
This study highlights the impact of patient knowledge and BP self-monitoring as well as the role of pharmacists to improve hypertension control.
Department of Nephrology, Hospital Group (GHR-MSA), Mulhouse, France.
Maëlle
M
Allibe
Department of Nephrology, Hospital Group (GHR-MSA), Mulhouse, France.
Daniela
D
Babici
School of Psychology, Kent University, Canterbury, UK.
Yoann François
YF
Chantrel
Department of Biostatistics, Hospital Group (GHR-MSA), Mulhouse, France.
Benoît
B
Lesquerbault
Department of Nephrology, Hospital Group (GHR-MSA), Mulhouse, France.
Malina
M
Dubau
Department of Nephrology, Hospital Group (GHR-MSA), Mulhouse, France.
Rocsana
R
Fickl
Department of Nephrology, Hospital Group (GHR-MSA), Mulhouse, France.
Zafer
Z
Takla
Department of Nephrology, Hospital Group (GHR-MSA), Mulhouse, France.
Caroline
C
Preissig-Dirhold
Department of Nephrology, Hospital Group (GHR-MSA), Mulhouse, France.
Roxana
R
Bucura
AURAL, Dialysis Unit, Mulhouse, France.
Aicha
A
Sissoko
Department of Nephrology, Hospital Group (GHR-MSA), Mulhouse, France.
Marcella
M
Coliban
Department of Nephrology, Hospital Group (GHR-MSA), Mulhouse, France. CHANTRELF@ghrmsa.fr.
François
F
Chantrel
D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D018660:Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010595:Pharmacists; D024382:Professional Role; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents
Antihypertensive drugs; Blood pressure control; Comorbidities; Compliance; France; Hypertension; Hypertension knowledge; National survey