MeRIT Project: Evaluation of health disparities and risk factors among hypertensive patients

Introduction:  Hypertension (HTN) affects greater than 30% of the U.S. adult population and is uncontrolled in greater than 50% of people with high blood pressure (BP). The burden of HTN and uncontrolled HTN is most prominent among racial minorities and those with low socioeconomic status. Reducing health disparities remains a major public health challenge. Understanding the prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed HTN and accompanying comorbid risk factors is important for the development of successful interventions aimed at improving BP control.

Objectives: To identify patients with diagnosed HTN (ICD 10 code) and undiagnosed HTN (BP>140/90mmHg with no ICD 10 code) and identify comorbid risk factors among three ambulatory clinics within the UR Medicine Health System.

Study Design:  Retrospective analysis

Methods: The electronic medical record (EMR) for the three participating ambulatory clinics will be queried. We will determine hypertension and risk factor prevalence (BMI, hypertension (SBP ≥ 140 mmHg, DBP ≥ 90 mmHg), elevated total cholesterol (≥ 200 mg/dL), LDL (≥ 130 mg/dL), triglycerides (≥ 150 mg/dL), glycosylated hemoglobin (> 7%), kidney disease (eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73m²), tobacco use (yes/no), and alcohol use (yes/no), in adults ≥ 18 years of age by race/ethnicity, sex, socioeconomic status (median annual income based on zip code), and geographic location (zip code).

Results:  TBD

Conclusions: It is expected that the data generated upon completion of this analysis will be instrumental in the development, planning, implementation, and evaluation of interventions designed to improve BP control in the three UR Medicine ambulatory clinics.