Factors associated with demand for emergency medical services by people with hypertension and diabetes

Abstract

Objectives: to analyze the association between recurrence of emergency service visits due to lack of blood pressure and/or glycemic control with sociodemographic variables and disease registration in Primary Care. Methods: quantitative study, which consulted medical records of people who attended these services two or more times for 26 months. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression models were used in analysis. Results: most people did not have hypertension and/or diabetes record in their Primary Care records. The absence of this record was more frequent in males, aged between 18 and 59 years, with low education and lack of blood pressure. There was association between greater number of people seeking these services in the same year and not monitoring the chronic condition in specialized care. Conclusions: people who do not follow up hypertension and/or diabetes in Primary Care are more likely to need assistance due to blood pressure and/or glycemic management.