Shorter return visit intervals (mean 79.5 days) were associated with better percent changes in blood pressure, with overall control occurring during 34.5% of office visits.
Cohort (n=429)
Yes
Does a shorter return visit interval improve percent change in blood pressure in hypertensive patients?
Shorter return visit intervals are associated with better blood pressure control, suggesting visit frequency is a simple and modifiable tool for hypertension management.
The best return visit interval to achieve blood pressure control is currently unknown. This study investigates the relationship between return visit interval and percent change in blood pressure. We reviewed a cohort of hypertensive patient charts from two large, urban family practice offices. Four hundred twenty-nine patients with 7910 intervals showed a mean return visit interval of 79.5 days. Blood pressure control occurred during 34.5% of office visits. Pearson's r correlation coefficients between return visit interval and percent change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure demonstrated a small but statistically significant correlation. Shorter return visit intervals were associated with better percent changes in blood pressure. The return visit interval may be a simple and useful tool to improve management of hypertension.
Guthmann et al. (Wed,) conducted a cohort in Hypertension (n=429). Return visit interval was evaluated on Percent change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Shorter return visit intervals (mean 79.5 days) were associated with better percent changes in blood pressure, with overall control occurring during 34.5% of office visits.