Use of home blood pressure monitoring by hypertensive patients in primary care: survey of a practice-based research network cohort.

Using a survey of a cohort of primary care patients, the authors determined the proportion currently using home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) and calculated odds ratios (ORs) of factors associated with such use. Overall, 530 questionnaires were received (80% response rate); 35.2% of respondents reported that their doctor had recommended HBPM (95% confidence interval [CI], 31.1-39.3), and 43.1% reported currently using HBPM (95% CI, 38.8-47.3). Compared with patients younger than 45 years, hypertensive patients older than 65 years were more likely to be using HBPM (OR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.20-5.33). Those with a history of stroke/transient ischemic attack were also more likely to use HBPM (OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.00-4.24). Compared with patients with a level of hypertension knowledge <10th percentile, those with a knowledge level >90th percentile were more likely to use HBPM (OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.08-3.56). The factor most strongly associated with use of HBPM was recalling a doctor's recommendation to do so (OR, 7.93; 95% CI, 4.96-12.7).

Duke Scholars

Author Anthony Joseph Viera Family Medicine and Community Health