This prospective before-and-after survey of hypertensive patients visiting government-run outpatient health facilities in the Yaroslavl Region of Russia assessed blood pressure (BP)–related endpoints following initiation of a comprehensive health system improvement program for hypertension. Two cross-sectional surveys, one at baseline and the other approximately 1 year after program initiation, evaluated the primary measure of BP control rate. Secondary measures included mean BP levels and distribution, cardiovascular risk factors, and associated conditions, heart rate levels, and antihypertensive therapy. From the 2011 survey (n=1794) to the 2012 survey (n=2992), BP control rate (<140/90 mm Hg) significantly increased from 16.8% to 23.0%, reflecting a 37% relative improvement (P<.0001). Mean BP level was significantly reduced from 151/90 mm Hg to 147/88 mm Hg (P<.0001). Severe uncontrolled hypertension (systolic BP ≥180 mm Hg) was reduced from 9.7% to 6.4% (P<.0001). Implementing a guidelines-based treatment protocol with medical and patient education programs resulted in physician behavior change and improved patient BP control.
Rates of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in Russia have been among the highest in Europe. A comprehensive health system improvement program targeting better diagnosis and control of hypertension was undertaken in the Yaroslavl Region of Russia. This initiative was a joint program between clinicians, the Department of Health and Pharmacy of the Yaroslavl Region, and Novartis Pharma LLC. From 2011 to 2014, the blood pressure control rate improved substantially (94% relative improvement), the percentage of patients with a systolic blood pressure ≥180 mm Hg decreased (from 10% to 5%), and there was a reduction in stroke incidence rate from 4.6 to 3.7 per 1000 population. During this same period, significant changes were made to the way hypertension was diagnosed and treated across all regional government polyclinics, and the use of antihypertensive therapies increased.
Program’s aim. Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality rates in Russia are among the highest in Europe. The aim of this work was to implement a complex healthcare system improvement program in Russia’s Yaroslavl region, dedicated to increasing arterial hypertension treatment efficacy and prevent complications of arterial hypertension. Materials and methods. The program was developed by a group of healthcare professionals of the Department of Healthcare and Pharmacy of Yaroslavl region together with Novartis Pharma Company’s technical advice within the framework of a private-public partnership. The program consisted of several actions aiming to raise the healthcare system’s attention to hypertension. Achievement of target blood pressure (BP) control by every patient seen by physicians of the Yaroslavl region healthcare system became the main goal and leading criteria for assessing hypertension treatment efficacy. Additionally, significant effort was put into patient education on self-control of BP levels and importance of achieving target BP levels in accordance with Russian national clinical guidelines and on adherence to treatment. Within 4 years, program efficacy was evaluated and reinforced by conducting annual cross-sectional questionnaire-based epidemiological studies. Analysis was performed in a representative sample of patients that evaluated BP control level, mean BP levels, systolic BP level distribution by grades, as well as cardiovascular risk factors and concomitant diseases presence and current antihypertensive therapy. In addition, analysis of official statistics on disease incidence and drug sales databases were performed. Results. From 2011 to 2014 BP control level increased significantly: 17% of patients had BP
Goalofthestudy. This project comparedblood pressure (BP)-related endpointsin two cross-sectional surveys of hypertensive patients visiting public outpatient healthcare facilities in the Yaroslavl Region of Russia before and after initiation of a comprehensive healthcare system modernization program for hypertension leaded by Department of Health and Pharmacy of Yaroslavl Region.Materials and methods. Hypertension treatment modernization program included making hypertension diagnostics and treatment a priority by setting up a Steering Committee to coordinateand evaluatethe program progression; introduction of hypertension diagnostics and treatment protocol and standards region-wide via an intensive educational program for healthcare professionals; conduction of public education campaign increasingcommunity engagement and hypertension therapyadherence. Two cross-sectional surveys, one at baseline and the other13 monthsafterprograminitiation, were conducted to monitor the evolution of hypertension management. Surveys evaluated BP control rate as a primary measure and mean BP levels and distribution, cardiovascular risk factors, and associated conditions, heart rate levels, and antihypertensive therapy as a secondary measures.Results. Surveys were conducted in 2011 (baseline) and 2012 (1,794 and 2,992 patients respectively) across 38 Regional clinics. BP control levels (
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