Validez y aplicabilidad de un nuevo método de registro para la hipertensión arterial / Validity and Applicability of a New Recording Method for Hypertension

Introducción y objetivos: El diagnóstico de la hipertensión arterial se asocia al método de medición y las condiciones en que esta se realiza. La reciente guía británica recomienda el uso sistemático de monitorización ambulatoria de la presión arterial durante 24h. Sin embargo, no todos los centros de salud disponen de dispositivos, y su uso queda restringido a 1 paciente/día. Analizamos si un nuevo método de registro de la presión arterial permite diagnosticar del mismo modo que con la monitorización de la presión arterial de 24 h. Métodos: Evaluación de un nuevo método de registro de hipertensión arterial consistente en monitorizar la presión arterial durante 1h en condiciones de práctica clínica habitual. Se comparó con los registros diurnos de la prueba estándar utilizando el coeficiente de correlación y Bland-Altman plots. Se calculó el índice kappa de concordancia y la sensibilidad y la especificidad del método. Resultados: De los 102 participantes, 89 (87,3%) obtuvieron el mismo diagnóstico con uno y otro método, con alta concordancia (κ=0,81; intervalo de confianza del 95%, 0,71-0,91). Se observaron correlaciones robustas entre las lecturas de presión arterial diastólica (r=0,85) y sistólica (r=0,76). La sensibilidad y la especificidad del nuevo método para el diagnóstico de hipertensión de bata blanca fueron del 85,2% (intervalo de confianza del 95%, 67,5-94,1) y el 92% (intervalo de confianza del 95%, 83,6-96,3). Conclusiones: La monitorización de la presión arterial de 1h es un método válido y fiable para diagnosticar la hipertensión arterial y clasificar subpoblaciones de hipertensos, especialmente en hipertensión de bata blanca e hipertensión refractaria, que permite un mayor rendimiento de los instrumentos de monitorización

Introduction and objectives: Blood pressure measurement methods and conditions are determinants of hypertension diagnosis. A recent British guideline recommends systematic 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. However, these devices are not available at all health centers and they can only be used by 1 patient per day. The aim of this study was to test a new blood pressure recording method to see if it gave the same diagnostic results as 24-h blood pressure monitoring. Methods: One-hour blood pressure monitoring under routine clinical practice conditions was compared with standard method of day time recording by analyzing the coefficient of correlation and Bland-Altman plots. The Kappa index was used to calculate degree of agreement. Method sensitivity and specificity were also analyzed. Results: Of the 102 participants, 89 (87.3%) obtained the same diagnosis regardless of method, with high between-method agreement (κ= 0.81; 95% confidence interval, 0.71-0.91). We observed robust correlations between diastolic (r=0.85) and systolic blood pressure (r=0.76) readings. Sensitivity and specificity for the new method for diagnosing white coat hypertension were 85.2% (95% confidence interval 67.5%-94.1%) and 92% (95% confidence interval, 83.6%-96.3%), respectively. Conclusions: One-hour blood pressure monitoring is a valid and reliable method for diagnosing hypertension and for classifying hypertension subpopulations, especially in white coat hypertension and refractory hypertension. This also leads to a more productive use of monitoring instruments

Validity and applicability of a new recording method for hypertension.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Blood pressure measurement methods and conditions are determinants of hypertension diagnosis. A recent British guideline recommends systematic 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. However, these devices are not available at all health centers and they can only be used by 1 patient per day. The aim of this study was to test a new blood pressure recording method to see if it gave the same diagnostic results as 24-h blood pressure monitoring. METHODS: One-hour blood pressure monitoring under routine clinical practice conditions was compared with standard method of day time recording by analyzing the coefficient of correlation and Bland-Altman plots. The Kappa index was used to calculate degree of agreement. Method sensitivity and specificity were also analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 102 participants, 89 (87.3%) obtained the same diagnosis regardless of method, with high between-method agreement (κ= 0.81; 95% confidence interval, 0.71-0.91). We observed robust correlations between diastolic (r=0.85) and systolic blood pressure (r=0.76) readings. Sensitivity and specificity for the new method for diagnosing white coat hypertension were 85.2% (95% confidence interval 67.5%-94.1%) and 92% (95% confidence interval, 83.6%-96.3%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: One-hour blood pressure monitoring is a valid and reliable method for diagnosing hypertension and for classifying hypertension subpopulations, especially in white coat hypertension and refractory hypertension. This also leads to a more productive use of monitoring instruments.

[Health problems also explain social services use in home care]. / Los problemas de salud también explican la utilización de servicios sociales en atención domiciliaria.

OBJECTIVE: To identify which social and health variables are associated with receiving social services in patients included in home care programmes with the implementation of the Dependence Law. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: 72 primary health care teams in Catalonia. PATIENTS: Patients over 64 years old with chronic diseases in home care programmes in Catalonia. MEASUREMENTS: Health status variables: Charlson, Barthel, Pfeiffer, Braden and Gijon, data from their carer (Zarit), self perception of health (SF-12), health professional visits, as well as: emergency visits, temporary admissions, and final results such as death or definitive admission in a nursing home or a hospital. RESULTS: A total of 1068 patients were included, 46.8% of the patients received some kind of social service, public or private. We observed that the variables related to receive some kind of social services are: high dependence (Barthel test), pressure sores and home care rehabilitation. Barthel test is highly associated with having social problems (Gijon test), living without an informal carer, more than 2 GP visits and having additional private health care. CONCLUSIONS: To be more fair, the evaluation of the provisions of the Dependence Law should also consider the health status of the patient. With the implementation of this law we can observe difficulties in access to social services for middle class patients. These patients do not have access to public social assistance and cannot pay for a private one. Social services are still an alternative to family care.

Los problemas de salud también explican la utilización de servicios sociales en atención domiciliaria / Health problems also explain social services use in home care

Objetivo: identificar las variables relacionadas con el hecho de recibir servicios sociales de carácter público o privado antes de la implantación de la Ley de Dependencia en pacientes recluidos en sus domicilios. Diseño: estudio descriptivo transversal. Emplazamiento: 72 equipos de atención primaria de Cataluña (EAP). Participantes: pacientes mayores de 64 años, no institucionalizados atendidos por un programa de atención domiciliaria de los EAP. Mediciones principales: de cada paciente se registraron: comorbilidad, estado funcional, estado cognitivo, si tenía úlceras por presión, salud subjetiva, valoración social, utilización de servicios sociales y sanitarios formales e informales, sobrecarga del cuidador, ingresos en residencias, hospitales o urgencias, además del número de visitas de profesionales santiarios. Resultados: participan 1.068 pacientes, el 46,8% recibe algún servicio social. Las variables relacionadas con la prestación de servicios sociales son: el grado de dependencia (Barthel), las úlceras por presión y recibir rehabilitación a domicilio. El test de Barthel está firmemente asociado a la problemática social (Gijón), carecer de cuidador informal, más de dos visitas de médico de familia y tener sanidad privada adicional. Conclusiones: para ser más equitativa, la valoración de las prestaciones de la Ley de Dependencia debería considerar también el estado de salud. Antes de la aplicación de esta ley se intuye una dificultad de acceso a los servicios sociales formales para las clases medias que no acceden a las prestaciones públicas ni pueden pagarlas. Las prestaciones sociales son todavía una alternativa a la atención familiar(AU)

Objective: To identify which social and health variables are associated with receiving social services in patients included in home care programmes with the implementation of the Dependence Law. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: 72 primary health care teams in Catalonia. Patients: Patients over 64 years old with chronic diseases in home care programmes in Catalonia. Measurements: Health status variables: Charlson, Barthel, Pfeiffer, Braden and Gijon, data from their carer (Zarit), self perception of health (SF-12), health professional visits, as well as: emergency visits, temporary admissions, and final results such as death or definitive admission in a nursing home or a hospital. Results: A total of 1068 patients were included, 46.8% of the patients received some kind of social service, public or private. We observed that the variables related to receive some kind of social services are: high dependence (Barthel test), pressure sores and home care rehabilitation. Barthel test is highly associated with having social problems (Gijon test), living without an informal carer, more than 2 GP visits and having additional private health care. Conclusions: To be more fair, the evaluation of the provisions of the Dependence Law should also consider the health status of the patient. With the implementation of this law we can observe difficulties in access to social services for middle class patients. These patients do not have access to public social assistance and cannot pay for a private one. Social services are still an alternative to family care(AU)

[Monitoring a home care cohort]. / Seguimiento de una cohorte de atención domiciliaria.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate home care by primary care teams for people over 65 years old with chronic conditions, in order to identify improvement opportunities. To identify patient and care variables associated with cognitive and functional impairment, nursing home admission, attendance at casualty units, hospital admission and death. DESIGN: Analytic study of the follow-up of a cohort for 3 years. SETTING: Primary health care teams in Catalonia, Spain. PATIENTS: One thousand three hundred patients over 65 with chronic pathologies and cared for by home care programmes in Catalonia. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: The following will be recorded annually: health status (Charlson, Barthel, Pfeiffer, Braden, and Gijón), data on the carer (Zarit), care received (social and health), self-perception of health (SF-12), Casualty attendance, short-term admissions and the final results, i.e. death or definitive admission to a nursing home or hospital. The statistical analyses will be based on logistic regression and a survival analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The study should reveal patient characteristics with prognostic value, as well as identify the social and health factors related to better survival and lower consumption of health and social resources.

Seguimiento de una cohorte de atención domiciliaria

Objetivo: Buscar oportunidades de mejora mediante la evaluación de la atención domiciliaria que ofrecen los equipos de atención primaria en nuestro entorno a las personas > 65 años de edad con enfermedades crónicas. Identificar cuáles son las variables del paciente y del servicio que recibe que se asocian con el deterioro funcional y cognitivo, ingreso en una residencia geriátrica, visita a urgencias, ingreso hospitalario o muerte. Diseño: Estudo analítico de seguimiento de una cohorte durante 3 años. Emplazamiento: Equipos de atención primaria de Cataluña. Participantes: En total, 1.300 pacientes > 65 años con enfermedades crónicas incluidos en el Programa de Atención Domiciliaria. Mediciones principales: Se recoge anualmente su estado de salud (Charlson, Barthel, Pfeiffer, Braden y Gijón), datos sobre el cuidador (Zarit), atenciones recibidas (social y sanitaria), sallud subjetiva (SF-12), visitas a urgencias, ingresos temporales y el resultado final: muerte, ingreso en residencias geriátricas u hospital. Los análisis principales se basarán e regresiones logísticas y una análisis de supervivencia. Discusión: El estudio permitirá identificar las características del paciente que tengan valor pronóstico, así como conocer las práticas de atención social y sanitaria que se asocian con una mejor supervivencia y un menor consumo de recursos sociosanitários(AU)

Seguimiento de una cohorte de atención domiciliaria / Monitoring a home care cohort

Objetivo. Buscar oportunidades de mejora mediante la evaluación de la atención domiciliaria que ofrecen los equipos de atención primaria en nuestro entorno a las personas > 65 años de edad con enfermedades crónicas. Identificar cuáles son las variables del paciente y del servicio que recibe que se asocian con el deterioro funcional y cognitivo, ingreso en una residencia geriátrica, visita a urgencias, ingreso hospitalario o muerte. Diseño. Estudio analítico de seguimiento de una cohorte durante 3 años. Emplazamiento. Equipos de atención primaria de Cataluña. Participantes. En total, 1.300 pacientes > 65 años con enfermedades crónicas incluidos en el Programa de Atención Domiciliaria. Mediciones principales. Se recoge anualmente su estado de salud (Charlson, Barthel, Pfeiffer, Braden y Gijón), datos sobre el cuidador (Zarit), atenciones recibidas (social y sanitaria), salud subjetiva (SF-12), visitas a urgencias, ingresos temporales y el resultado final: muerte, ingreso en residencias geriátricas u hospital. Los análisis principales se basarán en regresiones logísticas y una análisis de supervivencia. Discusión. El estudio permitirá identificar las características del paciente que tengan valor pronóstico, así como conocer las prácticas de atención social y sanitaria que se asocian con una mejor supervivencia y un menor consumo de recursos sociosanitarios

Objectives. To evaluate home care by primary care teams for people over 65 years old with chronic conditions, in order to identify improvement opportunities. To identify patient and care variables associated with cognitive and functional impairment, nursing home admission, attendance at casualty units, hospital admission and death. Design. Analytic study of the follow-up of a cohort for 3 years. Setting. Primary health care teams in Catalonia, Spain. Patients. One thousand three hundred patients over 65 with chronic pathologies and cared for by home care programmes in Catalonia. Main measurements. The following will be recorded annually: health status (Charlson, Barthel, Pfeiffer, Braden, and Gijón), data on the carer (Zarit), care received (social and health), self-perception of health (SF-12), Casualty attendance, short-term admissions and the final results, i.e. death or definitive admission to a nursing home or hospital. The statistical analyses will be based on logistic regression and a survival analysis. Conclusions. The study should reveal patient characteristics with prognostic value, as well as identify the social and health factors related to better survival and lower consumption of health and social resources