Evaluation the effectiveness of remote blood pressure monitoring technology in patients with hypertension on the basis of clinical recommendations performance measures

The purpose of research was evaluation the effectiveness of remote blood pressure (BP) monitoring technology with the help of a system of hypertension (Htn) guidelines performance measures. Material and Methods ― Remote BP monitoring was organized on the basis of computer system which automatically in text messages send requests about BP level to Htn patients. Obtained BP results were stored in the system and automatically worked. A doctor corrected a patient’s therapy if necessary based on this information. To evaluate the effectiveness of a new technology one year observation of 97 Htn patients was organized (54.6% – male) aged 49±11 years. Patients regularly responded to automated SMS requests the computer system about the level of blood pressure. The effectiveness was evaluated with the help of the following hypertension guidelines performance measures: 1) a part of patients with four or more BP results during the previous 12 months; 2) a part of patients with BP above the goal level who prescribed two or more antihypertensive drugs on the last visit during the previous 12 months; 3) a part of patients with BP above the goal level 140/90 mm Hg who prescribed two or more antihypertensive drugs on the last visit during the previous 12 months; 4) a part of patients with goal blood pressure (less than 140/90 mmHg) on the last visit during the previous 12 months. To evaluate a performance of these measures before BP monitoring the data extracted from patients’ ambulatory cards were used. Results ― 62 patients completed one-year BP monitoring A part of patients with four or more BP results during the previous 12 months increased from 21% to 100% (p<0.001). From 70% to 82% increased the part of patients who were prescribed two or more antihypertensive drugs (p=0.091). From 31% to 15% reduced the part of hypertensives with uncontrolled BP who were prescribed less than two antihypertensive drugs on the last visit (p=0.044). After one-year monitoring a goal BP was registered in 77% of Htn patients versus 13% at the start of the observation (p<0.001). Conclusion ― Htn guidelines performance measures allowed evaluate quantitatively the positive influence of remote BP monitoring on key points of medical care in patients with Htn