PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Melanie Inkster AU - Alan Montgomery AU - Peter Donnan AU - Tom MacDonald AU - Frank Sullivan AU - Tom Fahey TI - Organisational factors in relation to control of blood pressure: an observational study DP - 2005 Dec 01 TA - British Journal of General Practice PG - 931--937 VI - 55 IP - 521 4099 - http://bjgp.org/content/55/521/931.short 4100 - http://bjgp.org/content/55/521/931.full SO - Br J Gen Pract2005 Dec 01; 55 AB - Background Studies show that 60–75% of treated patients with hypertension in general practice, still do not reach the recommended blood pressure targets of <150/90 mmHg.Aim To investigate aspects of hypertension management in relation to sociodemographic variables, antihypertensive drug treatment, and organisational factors in primary care.Design of study Observational study over 3 years.Setting Eight general practices in Tayside, UK.Method Participants were 560 randomly selected patients aged 40–79 years receiving treatment for hypertension. The outcome measurement was blood pressure control, expressed in binary form based on the British Hypertension Society audit standard of <150/90 mmHg.Results Of 536 eligible patients, 261 (49%) were defined as having inadequate blood pressure control at the end of the study period. No significant associations were discovered with sex, age, deprivation score and comorbidity. In those patients with inadequate control, 30% had no modifications to their drug treatment during the study period. Blood pressure control at the end of the study period was not associated with number of antihypertensive drugs taken or number of antihypertensive drug modifications. The mean number of clinician contacts was 11 (standard deviation = 8), and mean continuity in primary care was high, although this was not associated with improved blood pressure control. A higher proportion of hypertension-related consultations were associated with increased odds of having inadequate blood pressure control.Conclusion Achieving adequate blood pressure control continues to represent a substantial health problem in a significant proportion of the hypertensive population. Patient, physician and organisational elements play a role in ensuring effective delivery of hypertension care in the community.