IDENTIFICATION OF PATIENTS WITH RESISTANT AND PSEUDO-RESISTANT HYPERTENSION AT A FAMILY HEALTH UNIT

Abstract

Resistant Hypertension manifests when blood pressure (BP) remains above the recommended levels, despite regular use of three classes of antihypertensive drugs, including diuretics. This study aimed to identify resistant hypertension and pseudo-resistant hypertension in patients enrolled in a Family Health Unit. It was a cross-sectional study in hypertensive patients using antihypertensive medications seen at Basic Health Unit (BHU), located in the city of Maceio, through interviews with a structured questionnaire during home visits, as well as searching information from patients medical records at BHU. Patients were monitored for three consecutive weeks. The adherence was determined by applying the Morisky Adherence Scale Therapeutics eight items (MMAS-8). The antihypertensive drug therapy was evaluated according to the Brazilian Guidelines on Hypertension. Fifty 50 patients were investigated, with mean age of 66.4 years (SD = 13.5). Most hypertensive patients studied were female (74%). Among the patients, 39 were classified as pseudo-resistant hypertension (78%), and 28 patients used antihypertensive regimens are considered inappropriate and 11 were non-adherent to treatment. In this study, 8% of hypertensive patients were diagnosed with resistant hypertension. Regarding SBP and DBP, gender, smoking habits and physical activity were not influencing factors. On the other hand, the proper prescription was correlated with the control of SBP, but not with the DBP control. The degree of adherence influenced both SBP and DBP. It was also observed the influence of subtype of hypertension on the SBP and DBP.