The prevalence and treatment of hypertension in long-term care settings: Implications for quality of care of the frail elderly

TitleThe prevalence and treatment of hypertension in long-term care settings: Implications for quality of care of the frail elderly
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2000
AuthorsMaxwell CJ, Hogan DB, Hirdes JP
JournalAnnals of Long Term Care
Volume8
Issue11
Pagination31-36
Accession NumberNo WOS number
Keywords*elderly care, *health care quality, *hypertension/dt [Drug Therapy], *hypertension/ep [Epidemiology], *long term care, 152-11-4, 52-53-9 (verapamil). 33286-22-5, 42399-41-7 (diltiazem). 4205-90-7, 4205-91-8, 57066-25-8 (clonidine). 555-29-3, 555-30-6 (methyldopa), Aged, alpha adrenergic receptor blocking agent/dt [Drug Therapy], antihypertensive agent/dt [Drug Therapy], beta adrenergic receptor blocking agent/dt [Drug Therapy], calcium channel blocking agent/dt [Drug Therapy], Canada, clonidine/dt [Drug Therapy], Cognition, Comorbidity, Demography, diabetes mellitus, diltiazem/dt [Drug Therapy], dipeptidyl carboxypeptidase inhibitor/dt [Drug Therapy], drug choice, drug contraindication, drug indication, Female, heart arrhythmia/dt [Drug Therapy], Human, ischemic heart disease, kidney disease, major clinical study, Male, methyldopa/dt [Drug Therapy], nursing home, peripheral vascular disease, Prevalence, respiratory tract disease/dt [Drug Therapy], review, smoking, thiazide diuretic agent/dt [Drug Therapy], verapamil/dt [Drug Therapy]
Abstract

This article reviews findings regarding the prevalence of hypertension and correlates of treatment among older nursing home residents and presents comparable data for a large sample of chronic hospital patients in the province of Ontario, Canada. Data from both populations suggest that those most vulnerable to potential undertreatment may include the very elderly, women, and those with cognitive and/or functional limitations. Low-dose thiazide diuretics appear to represent the preferred antihypertensive therapy for the frail elderly in long-term care. However, alternative therapy may be warranted for those who have a contraindication or are at greatest risk for experiencing adverse effects from diuretic therapy. Further research is needed to examine the relative benefits and risks of antihypertensive treatment in long-term care settings.