Novel use of Kaplan-Meier methods to explain age and gender differences in hypertension control rates.

ABSTRACT: Despite 40 years of research demonstrating the efficacy of antihypertensive medications for lowering blood pressure and decreasing cardiovascular disease, hypertension control rates worldwide remain low. We explored here how both medication efficacy rates and patient/physician decision-making (discontinuation rates) affect overall hypertension control rates. To do this we introduced the use of Kaplan-Meier methodology to predict hypertension control rates separately within age strata. An important aspect of our analysis is the use of a "treatment intensity score," including both the number of agent(s) and the percentage of maximal dose of agent(s). We investigated how blood pressure control rates vary with age, gender, and treatment intensity. Our analysis found that both efficacy and disc

SUBMITTER: Bailey KR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2655216 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature