Correction to: Effectiveness of a new model of primary care management on knee pain and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis: Protocol for THE PARTNER STUDY.

After the publication of this protocol [1], our collaborator Prima Health solutions advised us of their intent to withdraw from the study.

Prevalence, detection and drug treatment of hypertension in a rural Australian population: the Greater Green Triangle risk factor study 2004-2006.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease; however, limited findings are available on its detection and management in rural Australia. AIM: To assess the prevalence, awareness and treatment of hypertension in a rural South-East Australian population. METHODS: Three cross-sectional surveys in Limestone Coast, Corangamite Shire and Wimmera regions during 2004-2006 using a random population sample (n = 3320, participation rate 49%) aged 25-74 years. Blood pressure was measured by trained nurses. Information on history of hypertension and medication was obtained by questionnaires. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure >or=140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure >or=90 mmHg and/or on antihypertensive drug treatment. RESULTS: Overall, one-third of participants had hypertension; of these, two-thirds, 54% (95% confidence interval (CI) 47-60) of men and 71% (95% CI 65-77) of women, were aware of their condition. Half of the participants with hypertension were treated and nearly half of these were controlled. Both treatment and control were more common in women (60%, 95% CI 54-67 and 55%, 95% CI 47-64) compared with men (42%, 95% CI 36-49 and 35%, 95% CI 26-44). Monotherapy was used by 55% (95% CI 48-61) of treated hypertensives. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors were the most frequently used class of antihypertensive drugs in men, whereas angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor antagonists and diuretics were all widely used among women. CONCLUSION: This study emphasizes suboptimal detection and treatment of hypertension, especially in men, in rural Australia.

Cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention.

Group programs of cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention provide better outcomes than medical consultations alone. Tightly specified goals for secondary prevention are now more rigorous than ever before and should be reached by all patients. After acute myocardial infarction, patients require beta-blockers, aspirin, lipid-lowering agents and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Psychosocial adjustment problems are common in cardiac patients and their families, but these can be significantly reduced by appropriate rehabilitation strategies. Patients with additional needs should be identified (e.g., some working patients require work assessment, employer contact, additional exercise and specified return-to-work guidelines).