Trends in the diagnosis and treatment of antihypertensive ambulatory patients by United States office-based physicians

This descriptive study assessed trends in ambulatory patients' antihypertensive therapy by US office-based physicians for visits in 2001 in which hypertension was a diagnosis. These trends were compared with the Sixth Report by the Joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC-6) guidelines; the therapeutic antihypertensive standard in 2001. Data from the National Center for Health Statistics' 2001 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey were used. Blood pressure measurements were documented in 88% of the patient office visits. No significant trends were observed in diagnostic screening services or in lifestyle modification services. Diuretics and beta-blockers, the antihypertensive drug classes preferred by the JNC-6 guidelines, were mentioned in 9.8% and 16.7% of antihypertensive patient office visits. Antihypertensive drug visits mentioning ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers were 24.3 and 21.7 percent respectively. Antihypertensive drug therapy was mentioned in 77.4 percent of patient office visits. Physician antihypertensive drug prescribing was generally consistent with the basic antihypertensive drug guidelines of JNC-6.