Impact of COVID-19 on recorded blood pressure screening and hypertension management in England: an analysis of monthly changes in the quality and outcomes framework indicators in OpenSAFELY.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted cardiovascular disease management in primary care in England.

Objective

To describe the impact of the pandemic on blood pressure screening and hypertension management based on a national quality of care scheme (Quality and Outcomes Framework, QOF) across key demographic, regional and clinical subgroups.

Methods

With NHS England approval, a population-based cohort study was conducted using OpenSAFELY-TPP on 25.2 million NHS patients registered at general practices (March 2019 to March 2023). We examined monthly changes in recorded blood pressure screening in the preceding 5 years in patients aged ≥45 years and recorded the hypertension prevalence and the percentage of patients treated to target (≤140/90 mmHg for patients aged

SUBMITTER: Wiedemann M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11664366 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature