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Blood pressure levels and control in Italy: comprehensive analysis of clinical data from 2000–2005 and 2005–2011 hypertension surveys

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Abstract

This analysis is aimed to determine blood pressure (BP) levels and BP control rates in a large population of hypertensive patients in Italy. Data were taken from two large and inclusive cross-sectional surveys, which covered two distinct and subsequent time periods (2000–2005 and 2005–2011, respectively). Observational clinical studies and surveys, which reported average systolic/diastolic clinic BP levels, proportions of treated/untreated and controlled/uncontrolled patients, and prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in hypertensive patients followed in either outpatient clinics, hypertension centres or general practice, were considered for the analyses. The overall sample included 211 591 hypertensive patients (119 997 (56.7%) women, age 57.0±10.0 years, body mass index 26.9±4.0 kg m−2, BP levels 146.9±16.7/88.7±9.6 mm Hg). BP levels were 148.2±15.4/87.5±9.3 mm Hg in patients followed by general practitioners (n=168 313, 79.5%), 148.1±17.3/90.1±9.7 mm Hg in those followed by hypertension centres (n=28 180, 13.3%), and 142.4±17.6/86.6±9.8 mm Hg in those followed by outpatient clinics and hospital divisions (n=15 098, 7.1%). Among treated hypertensive patients (n=128 079; 60.5%), 43 008 (33.6%) were reported to have controlled BP levels. Over one decade of observation, we reported that ~60% of hypertensive patients were treated and among these only 33% achieved effective BP control. These findings highlight the need for more effective interventions to improve management of hypertension in Italy.

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Acknowledgements

This work has been endorsed by the Italian Society of Hypertension (SIIA).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cardiology, Department of Clinical ansd Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rome Sapienza, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy

    G Tocci, A Ferrucci & M Volpe

  2. IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli (IS), Italy

    G Tocci & M Volpe

  3. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova and IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, Genoa, San Martino-IST, Italy

    R Pontremoli

  4. Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, University of L’Aquila, Coppito (AQ), Italy

    C Ferri

  5. Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, II Division of Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy

    E A Rosei

  6. Chair and Division of Internal Medicine, Hypertension Unit, Ospedale San Giuseppe, Milano, Italy

    A Morganti

  7. Department of Clinical Medicine and Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Napoli, Napoli, Federico II, Italy

    B Trimarco

  8. Istituto Auxologico Italiano and Centro di Fisiologia Clinica e Ipertensione, University of Milano, Milan, Italy

    G Mancia

  9. Division of Internal Medicine, University of Bologna, Policlinico Sant’Orsola, Bologna, Italy

    C Borghi

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  1. G Tocci
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  2. A Ferrucci
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  4. C Ferri
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  5. E A Rosei
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  6. A Morganti
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  7. B Trimarco
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  8. G Mancia
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  9. C Borghi
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  10. M Volpe
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Correspondence to M Volpe.

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Tocci, G., Ferrucci, A., Pontremoli, R. et al. Blood pressure levels and control in Italy: comprehensive analysis of clinical data from 2000–2005 and 2005–2011 hypertension surveys. J Hum Hypertens 29, 696–701 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/jhh.2015.4

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