Key result
Treatment was not intensified in 45% of consultations where patients had a single suboptimal blood pressure reading, demonstrating substantial therapeutic inertia in primary care.
Population
560 hypertensive patients from eight general practices in Tayside, Scotland
Design
Review
Authors
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Therapeutic inertia persists in hypertension care; Level 5 evidence leaves open whether treatment data in quality indicators improves intensification.
Incorporating treatment information into intermediate outcome indicators can help identify and reduce therapeutic inertia in hypertension management.
Guthrie et al. (2007) conducted an editorial in Hypertension (n=560). Suboptimal blood pressure readings was evaluated on Failure to intensify treatment (therapeutic inertia) after a single suboptimal blood pressure reading (95% CI 41-50). Treatment was not intensified in 45% of consultations where patients had a single suboptimal blood pressure reading, demonstrating substantial therapeutic inertia in primary care.
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