Patterns of hypertension management in France (ENNS 2006-2007)

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to describe the hypertensive population and therapeutic management of hypertension in subjects between 18 and 74 years of age in continental France in 2006.

Methods: ENNS was a cross-sectional survey conducted in continental France in 2006-2007. Blood pressure (BP) was measured in a national sample of non-institutionalized adults aged 18-74 years and pharmacological treatment was collected by a self-questionnaire. Hypertension was defined by systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥90 mmHg, or treatment with BP-lowering drugs. The therapeutic control of treated hypertensive patients was defined by SBP <140 mmHg and DBP <90 mmHg.

Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 31.0%. Half of hypertensive subjects reported taking an antihypertensive drug (50.3%) and nearly half of them were treated with a single antihypertensive pharmacological class (44.3%). Overall, among hypertensives, 25.6% had a satisfactory BP control.

Conclusions: Our survey revealed a high prevalence of hypertension in continental France, with only half of the hypertensive subjects receiving pharmacological therapy and one treated out of two with BP at goal. More effective measures are needed to improve clinical management of hypertension.