[Decreased glomerular filtration rate using the Cockckroft-Gault and MDRD formulas does not always predict cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in hypertensive primary care patients]. / El filtrado glomerular reducido según las fórmulas de Cockcroft-Gault y MDRD no siempre predice la morbimortalidad cardiovascular en los pacientes hipertensos atendidos en atención primaria.

BACKGROUND: A decrease in renal function is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to analyse the association of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality with baseline glomerular filtration rate (GFR), calculated according to the Cockcroft-Gault and MDRD formulas, with the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in a cohort of hypertensive individuals followed for 12 years. METHOD: We performed a prospective study of a random sample of 223 hypertensive patients free of MACEs, who were followed in an urban Primary Care Centre. GFR was estimated using both formulas. MACEs were considered as the onset of ischaemic heart disease, heart failure, heart attacks, peripheral vascular disease or cardiovascular death. Data were analysed using the life-table method and Cox regression modeling. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 10.7 (interquartile range, 6.5-12.1) years. Follow-up was completed in 191 participants (85.7%). The cumulative survival was 64.7% (95% Confidence Interval (CI), 57.9-71.6). The incidence of MACEs during the follow-up period was 3.6 (95% CI, 2.7-4.4) per 100 subject-years. The final multivariable model showed that the most predictive variables of MACEs in the study population were the presence of diabetes mellitus and the estimation of GFR ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m2 by MDRD equation. CONCLUSIONS: There was a relationship between the occurrence of MACEs and an estimated GFR by MDRD above 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 at study entry, inversely to what was expected. GFR estimated by the C-G formula was not associated with cardiovascular risk.

[Determination of arm circumference for correct measurement of blood pressure. Results of an intervention study]. / La determinación del perímetro braquial para una adecuada medida de la presión arterial. Resultados de un estudio de intervención.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of an intervention to promote standardized arm circumference measurement as way to choose appropriate cuff size to measure blood pressure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A before-after intervention study was performed in a basic health care area in Barcelona. Doctors, nurses and pharmacy staff participated by filling out an anonymous self-administered questionnaire pre- and post-intervention (3m). Variables included: demographics, type of professional, years since they finished their studies, availability of different cuff sizes, if arm circumference measurement were obtained or not, knowledge about the cutoff values for each cuff size and type of blood pressure monitor. INTERVENTION: The written results were given to the participants and presented in sessions. RESULTS: Pre- and post-intervention: 74.3 and 67.3% answered the questionnaires (P=ns), respectively. Determination of arm circumference varied from 1.3 to 19.1% (P=.009). A total of 37.3% and 44.1% declared that they had 2 or more available cuff sizes (P=ns). Knowledge about the correct measurement of the cuffs was 2.7 to 33.8% regarding the standard cuff size (P=.0198) and 0 to 23.5% for obese subjects (P<.05). When more than one cuff was available, reasons for the choice went from: «making a rough guess¼ or «when velcro stops sticking¼ before and after the intervention. All blood pressure devices in our primary health care center were electronic and automatic as were those of the 9 pharmacies. CONCLUSION: The intervention increased the determination of arm circumference prior to the reading of the blood pressure and the knowledge about the cutoff interval for standard and obese cuff size after intervention. There was greater availability of different sized cuffs. Despite this, the choice of the appropriate cuff size was not made based on arm circumference.