Evaluation of a specialist nurse-led hypertension clinic with consultant backup in two inner city general practices: randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Although practice nurses are increasingly involved in hypertension management, there is little robust evidence of effectiveness.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a specialist nurse-led hypertension clinic with consultant backup on change in systolic blood pressure.

Design: Randomized trial.

Setting: Two inner city general practices. Participants. Three hundred and fifty-three patients, mean age 62 years (range 18-99), with last recorded blood pressure ≥ British Hypertension Society audit standard were randomly allocated to the nurse-led clinic or usual care. Intervention. Patients received a letter informing them that their last blood pressure was over target and inviting them to the clinic. After assessment at the clinic, the nurse discussed any changes in anti-hypertensive treatment with a visiting consultant and the patient's GP, and followed up the patient over 6 months until blood pressure targets were achieved.

Main outcome measure: Reduction in systolic blood pressure, assessed using two audits of the practices' computerized records where blood pressure was measured independently by practice staff before and after the intervention period.

Results: Follow-up was 89% (313/353). There was greater reduction in systolic blood pressure in the clinic group (n = 144) than usual care group (n = 169, adjusted difference 4.4 mmHg; 95% CI 0.7 to 8.2). Of 167 patients randomly selected for the clinic, 91 (55%) attended, 49 had blood pressure above target when measured according to protocol and 26 had their anti-hypertensive treatment intensified by their GP.

Conclusion: Invitation to a specialist nurse-led hypertension clinic with consultant back up was associated with reduced systolic blood pressure.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01101737.

Keywords: Clinical trial; hypertension; nurse-led clinic; primary care..