Key result
Answering reminder calls is linked to ~51% higher odds of achieving blood pressure control.
Why the study?
Blood pressure control rates remain low despite effective medications, and adherence to medication and follow-up visits are critical factors for control.
Does answering telephone reminder calls improve blood pressure control and clinic follow-up rates in hypertensive patients attending private urban clinics?
Cohort (n=13,184)
Yes
Does answering telephone reminder calls improve blood pressure control and clinic follow-up rates in hypertensive patients attending private urban clinics?
Odds Ratio: 1.51 (95% CI 1.34–1.71)
Absolute Event Rate: 48.8% vs 44.3%
p-value: p=<0.001
Telephone reminder calls are associated with improved patient retention and blood pressure control in urban private sector clinics, offering a scalable method to manage hypertension in resource-constrained settings.
Answering calls was associated with better BP control in urban clinics; leaves open causal benefit pending randomized trials.
Despite the availability of effective medication, blood pressure control rates are low, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Adherence to medication and follow-up visits are important factors in blood pressure control. This study assessed the effectiveness of reminder telephone calls on follow-up visits and blood pressure control among hypertensive patients as part of the Mumbai Hypertension Project. This project was initiated by PATH with the support from Resolve to Save Lives from January 2019 to February 2020. The study included hypertensive patients attending 164 private practices in Mumbai, India; practitioners screened all adults visiting their clinic during the project period. Among 13 184 hypertensive patients registered, the mean age was 53 years (SD = 12.38) and 52% were female. Among the 11 544 patients that provided phone numbers and gave consent for follow-up calls, 9528 responded to phone calls at least once and 5250 patients followed up at least once. Of the 5250 patients, 82% visited the clinic for follow-up visit within one month after receiving the phone call. The blood pressure control rate among those who answered phone calls and who did not answer phone calls increased from 23.6% to 48.8% (P <.001) and 21.0% to 44.3% (P <.001), respectively. The blood pressure control rate at follow-up was significantly associated with phone calls (OR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.34 - 1.71). The study demonstrates that telephone call intervention and follow-up visits can improve patient retention in care and, subsequently, blood pressure control among hypertensive patients attending urban private sector clinics in India.
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Kannure et al. (2021) conducted a cohort in Hypertension (n=13,184). Telephone reminder calls vs. Did not answer telephone calls was evaluated on Blood pressure control rate at follow-up (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.34-1.71, p=<0.001). Answering telephone reminder calls significantly improved the odds of achieving blood pressure control at follow-up compared to those who did not answer (OR 1.51).
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