Arterial hypertension in the elderly accompanied in primary care: profile and associated factors

Abstract

Objective: to analyze blood pressure control in elderly hypertensives accompanied by a Basic Health Unit of the Federal District, determining the sociodemographic profile and the associated risk factors. Method: this is a cross-sectional study with 133 elderly hypertensive patients. Variables related to sociodemographic factors, life habits, clinical factors and adherence to drug therapy were evaluated through the application of semistructured instruments and validated scales. Results with p <0.05 were considered significant. Results: the elderly presented controlled blood pressure (56.4%) predominantly. The majority of the participants were female and women also had a higher rate of uncontrolled blood pressure (86.2%). Older age was associated with higher blood pressure values (p = 0.031). Alcoholism (p = 0.020) and mean body mass index of 33.0 (p <0.000) were factors associated with hypertension adherence to therapy had more controlled values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Conclusion and implications for the practice: it was verified that there is a strong association between the risk factors discussed and the lack of control of the blood pressure of elderly hypertensive, especially with regard to advanced age, alcoholism, obesity and overweight, and it is necessary to reorient the planning and strategies of promotion of health and prevention of diseases directed at the elderly hypertensive in the scope of primary health care.

Pressão arterial não controlada entre pessoas idosas hipertensas assistidas pela Estratégia Saúde da Família

“…In the present study, the loss of statistical significance in associations of uncontrolled BP with sex, alcohol consumption and smoking after the inclusion of the treatment adherence variable in the regression model reinforces the importance of this variable for the outcome. The statistically significant association between low adherence to antihypertensive medication and uncontrolled BP is consistent with estimates found in other studies 33 . This congruence is in accordance with the literature, where it is emphasized that good adherence to antihypertensive medication is essential to control hypertension and reduce BP 34 .…”

Elderly Mortality due to Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions and Primary Health Care Coverage in the Federal District

“…This was explained by improvements to the access and quality of PHC actions ( 25 ) . In this context, PHC has an important role in the control and prevention of the negative outcomes of this group of diseases ( 26 ) . There are many factors involved in dealing with chronic diseases, and their treatment depends on an increased access to health services, on the availability of medication, and on diagnostic instruments ( 27 ) .…”

Mortalidade de idosos por causas sensíveis e cobertura de Atenção Primária no Distrito Federal

“…Estudo nacional mostrou que, entre 2000 e 2011, houve declínio nas internações por esse grupo de doenças, o que foi explicado por melhoria do acesso e da qualidade das ações da APS (25) . Em tal contexto, a APS tem importante papel no controle e na prevenção de desfechos negativos nesse grupo de doenças (26) . O enfrentamento das doenças crônicas é multifatorial e depende do aumento do acesso aos serviços de saúde, da disponibilidade de medicamentos e dos instrumentos diagnósticos (27) .…”