Effectiveness of in-office blood pressure measurementby eye care practitioners in early detection andmanagement of hypertension
2015
AIM
To investigate the number of hypertensive
patients, the optometrist is able to identify by routinely
taking blood pressure (BP) measurements for patients in
"at -risk" groups, and to sample patients' opinions
regarding in -office BP measurement. Many of the
optometrists in Saudi Arabia practice in optical stores.
These stores are wide spread, easily accessible and
seldom need appointments. The expanding role of the
optometrist as a primary health care provider (PHCP) and
the increasing global prevalence of hypertension,
highlight the need for an integrated approach towards
detecting and monitoring hypertension.
METHODS
Automated BP measurements were made
twice (during the same session) at five selected
optometry practices using a validated BP monitor
(Omron M6) to assess the number of patients with high
BP (HBP) - in at -risk groups -visiting the eye clinic
routinely. Prior to data collection, practitioners
underwent a two-day training workshop by a cardiologist
on hypertension and how to obtain accurate BP
readings. A protocol for BP measurement was distributed
and retained in all participating clinics. The general
attitude towards cardiovascular health of 480 patients
aged 37.2 (依12.4)y and their opinion towards in-office BP
measurement was assessed using a self -administered
questionnaire.
RESULTS
A response rate of 83.6% was obtained for
the survey. Ninety -three of the 443 patients (21.0% )
tested for BP in this study had HBP. Of these, (62
subjects) 67.7% were unaware of their HBP status. Thirty
of the 105 subjects (28.6%) who had previously been
diagnosed with HBP, still had HBP at the time of this
study, and only 22 (73.3%) of these patients were on
medication. Also, only 25% of the diagnosed
hypertensive patients owned a BP monitor.
CONCLUSION
Taking BP measurements in optometry
practices, we were able to identify one previously
undiagnosed patient with HBP for every 8 adults tested.
We also identified 30 of 105 previously diagnosed
patients whose BP was poorly controlled, twenty-two of
whom were on medication. The patients who participated
in this study were positively disposed toward the routine
measurement of BP by optometrists.
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