Blood Pressure Measurement Biases in Clinical Settings, Alabama, 2010-2011.

INTRODUCTION: Blood pressure measurement in clinical care settings seldom follows the protocol recommended by national guidelines, potentially leading to overestimates or underestimates of blood pressure control. We evaluated blood pressure measurement methods as a source of bias in determining blood pressure control among community-dwelling adults with diabetes. METHODS: In a community-based trial of patients with diabetes, we measured both "clinical blood pressure" (clinical BP) (taken by a community nurse or medical assistant instructed to "take the participant's blood pressure like you do in your own clinic") and "research blood pressure" (research BP) (research staff followed a guideline-concordant protocol). Each participant had both types of blood pressure assessment on the same day over the course of 2 hours. RESULTS: The 227 participants had a mean age of 59 years; 86% were black and 74% were women. The mean clinical BP was 5 mm Hg higher than the mean research BP for systolic blood pressure (P < .001) and 2 mm Hg higher for diastolic blood pressure (P < .001). The proportion of participants whose clinical BP was 130/80 mm Hg or higher was 8 percentage points higher than the proportion whose research BP was 130/80 mm Hg or higher (P < .001), and the proportion whose clinical BP was 140/90 mm Hg or higher was 10 percentage points higher than the proportion whose research BP was 140/90 mm Hg or higher (P < .001). Among those aged 65 years or older, the proportion whose clinical BP was 130/80 mm Hg or higher was 10 percentage points higher than proportion whose research BP was 130/80 mm Hg or higher, and the proportion whose clinical BP was 140/90 mm Hg or higher was 14 percentage points higher than the proportion whose research BP was 140/90 mm Hg or higher. Whites and smokers had the greatest risk for having a clinical BP 5 mm Hg or more higher than their research BP. CONCLUSION: Measurement biases in clinical settings may be a component of observed poor blood pressure control rates in real-world settings.

The Art of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in Menopause Management.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is considered the gold standard for management of vasomotor and vaginal symptoms of menopause. Vasomotor symptoms of menopause may include hot flashes and diaphoresis that vary in intensity and duration. Other symptoms of menopause can include vaginal atrophy and dryness, leading to dyspareunia and increased risk of infection. These symptoms can be impactful on a woman's life and HRT has data to support its efficacy, however, HRT carries significant risks that are generally well known, including risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, and venous thromboembolism. These risks were most well characterized by several landmark trials published in the early 2000s. There are several nuances to prescribing HRT that can make doing so complex. These include consideration of cyclic vs continuous administration and of tapering therapy. Additionally, estrogen is available in a variety of dosage forms including injections and transdermal formulations. However, for women with an intact uterus, estrogen will need to be combined with progestin or bazedoxifene (a selective estrogen receptor modulator - SERM), both once daily oral formulations, in order to minimize malignancy risk. Though product preference and considerations of dosing may vary depending on practitioner preference, this brief report aims to clarify some nuances to prescribing or recommending HRT.

Perceptions of and barriers to use of generic medications in a rural African American population, Alabama, 2011.

INTRODUCTION: Using generic medications for chronic diseases provides efficacy similar to that of brand-name medication use, but at a lower price, potentially enhancing adherence. However, previous studies show that disadvantaged people, who may particularly benefit from cost savings, have low trust of generics and increased reluctance to switch to generics. The rural South includes areas of high poverty and minority communities whose members are at high risk for poor health outcomes; however, whether such beliefs exist in these communities has not been reported. We sought to obtain qualitative insight into beliefs about generic medication use among African Americans in the rural South. METHODS: Investigators conducted 4 focus groups with 30 community members from Alabama's Black Belt area. Transcribed discussions were analyzed and common themes identified. RESULTS: Participants were primarily unemployed middle-aged women, one-fourth of whom were uninsured and more than half of whom had a high school education or less. Barriers to generic medication use included perceptions that generics are less potent than brand-name medications, require higher doses, and, therefore, result in more side effects; generics are not "real" medicine; generics are for minor but not serious illnesses; the medical system cannot be trusted; and poor people are forced to "settle" for generics. CONCLUSION: Although education about generics could rectify misinformation, overcoming views such as mistrust of the medical system and the sense of having to settle for generics because of poverty may be more challenging. Policy makers and providers should consider these perspectives when working to increase generic drug use in these populations.