Standardizing hypertension management in a primary care setting in India through a protocol based model

Guidelines-based therapeutic strategies for controlling hypertension in non-controlled hypertensive patients followed by family physicians in primary health care in Portugal: the GPHT-PT study

PURPOSE

In a prospective open study, with intervention, conducted in Primary Health Care Units by General Practitioners (GPs) in Portugal, the effectiveness of a single pill of candesartan/amlodipine (ARB/amlodipine), as the only anti-hypertension (anti-HTN) medication, in adult patients with uncontrolled HTN (BP > 140/or > 90 mm Hg), either previously being treated with anti-HTN monotherapies (Group I), or combinations with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) (Group II), or not receiving medication at all (Group III), was evaluated across 12-weeks after implementation of the new therapeutic measure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 118 GPs recruited patients with uncontrolled HTN who met inclusion/exclusion criteria. Participants were assigned, according to severity, one of 3 (morning) fixed combination candesartan/amlodipine dosage (8/5 or 16/5 or 16/10 mg/day) and longitudinally evaluated in 3 visits (v0, v6 and v12 weeks). Office blood pressure was measured in each visit, and control of HTN was defined per guidelines (BP< 140/90 mmHg).

RESULTS

Of the 1234 patients approached, 752 (age 61 ± 10 years, 52% women) participated in the study and were assigned to groups according to previous treatment conditions. The 3 groups exhibited a statistically significant increased control of blood pressure after receiving the fixed combination candesartan/amlodipine dosage. The overall proportion of controlled HTN participants increased from 0,8% at v0 to 82% at v12. The mean arterial blood pressure values decreased from SBP= 159.0 (± 13.0) and DBP= 91.1 (± 9.6) at baseline to SBP= 132,1 (± 11.3) and DBP= 77,5 (± 8.8) at 12 weeks (p < 0.01). Results remained consistent when controlling for age and sex.

CONCLUSION

In patients with uncontrolled HTN, therapeutic measures in accordance with guidelines, with a fixed combination candesartan/amlodipine, allowed to overall achieve HTN control at 12 weeks in 82% of previously uncontrolled HTN patients, reinforcing the advantages of these strategies in primary clinical practice.

Assessing competence of mid-level providers delivering primary health care in India: a clinical vignette-based study in Chhattisgarh state

BACKGROUND

The global commitment to primary health care (PHC) has been reconfirmed in the declaration of Astana, 2018. India has also seen an upswing in national commitment to implement PHC. Health and wellness centres (HWCs) have been introduced, one at every 5000 population, with the fundamental purpose of bringing a comprehensive range of primary care services closer to where people live. The key addition in each HWC is of a mid-level healthcare provider (MLHP). Nurses were provided a 6-month training to play this role as community health officers (CHOs). But no assessments are available of the clinical competence of this newly inducted cadre for delivering primary care. The current study was aimed at providing an assessment of competence of CHOs in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh.

METHODS

The assessment involved a comparison of CHOs with rural medical assistants (RMAs) and medical officers (MO), the two main existing clinical cadres providing primary care in Chhattisgarh. Standardized clinical vignettes were used to measure knowledge and clinical reasoning of providers. Ten ailments were included, based on primary care needs in Chhattisgarh. Each part of clinical vignettes was standardized using expert consultations and standard treatment guidelines. Sample size was adequate to detect 15% difference between scores of different cadres and the assessment covered 132 CHOs, 129 RMAs and 50 MOs.

RESULTS

The overall mean scores of CHOs, RMAs and MOs were 50.1%, 63.1% and 68.1%, respectively. They were statistically different (p < 0.05). The adjusted model also confirmed the above pattern. CHOs performed well in clinical management of non-communicable diseases and malaria. CHOs also scored well in clinical knowledge for diagnosis. Around 80% of prescriptions written by CHOs for hypertension and diabetes were found correct.

CONCLUSION

The non-physician MLHP cadre of CHOs deployed in rural facilities under the current PHC initiative in India exhibited the potential to manage ambulatory care for illnesses. Continuous training inputs, treatment protocols and medicines are needed to improve performance of MLHPs. Making comprehensive primary care services available close to people is essential to PHC and well-trained mid-level providers will be crucial for making it a reality in developing countries.

Hypertension control in Kerala, India: a prescription-based study at primary and secondary level health care institutions

Objective

We undertook a prescription-based study to identify the provider and institution-level factors related to achieving guideline-recommended control of hypertension and diabetes mellitus in Kerala, India.

Methods

This cross-sectional study in primary and secondary care hospitals in Kerala included both public and private institutions. One practitioner was selected from each institution. Data on institutional and provider factors were collected using a structured questionnaire. Prescriptions were photographically captured and data on disease status and drugs prescribed were recorded. Factors associated with disease control were identified using binary logistic regression.

Results

Totally 4679 prescriptions were included for analysis. For hypertension-only patients, control levels were 31.5% and was significantly higher in public hospitals (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.96, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.50–2.57). Among patients with diabetes only, diabetes control was seen in 36.6%. When both conditions were present, control was achieved in only 17.0% patients. Being prescribed two or more drugs indicated lower control, whatever the respective condition. Among antihypertensive prescriptions rationality of 26.7% were questioned, such as lack of Renin Angiotensin System (RAS) inhibitor in diabetic hypertensives, dual RAS blockage, and indication for beta-blocker monotherapy.

Conclusions

In this prescription-based study in Kerala, India, a majority of hypertensive patients did not have controlled blood pressure levels, particularly if diabetes coexisted. This has serious implications as Kerala is the state with the highest burden of hypertension in India. Several prescription patterns were of questionable rationality. Further research and actions on rationality of anti-hypertensive prescriptions and barriers to treatment intensification is warranted.

Porous and highly responsive cross-linked β-cyclodextrin based nanomatrices for improvement in drug dissolution and absorption

AIMS

Aim of the study was to enhance the solubility of Chlorthalidone by developing beta-cyclodextrin cross-linked hydrophilic nanomatrices.

MAIN METHODS

Nine different formulations were fabricated by free radical polymerization technique. All formulations were characterized through different studies. FTIR spectroscopy of unloaded and loaded nanomatrices was processed to determine compatibility of constituents and that of the drug with the system. Surface morphology of the nanomatrices was studied by SEM. The size of the optimized formulation was determined by zeta sizer. Swelling, in-vitro release and solubility studies were carried out in different media and results of in-vitro release profiles of nanomatrices and commercially available tablet of Chlorthalidone were compared. For determination of biocompatibility, toxicity studies were proclaimed in rabbits.

KEY FINDINGS

Main peaks of corresponding functional groups of individual constituents and that of drug were depicted in FTIR spectra of unloaded and loaded nanomatrices. Porous and fluffy structure was visualized through SEM images. Particle size of the optimized formulation was in the range of 175 ± 5.27 nm. Percent loading of optimized formulation showed the best result. Comparing the in-vitro drug release profiles of nanomatrices and commercially available tablet, the results of the synthesized nanomatrices were quite satisfactory. Solubility profiles were also high as compared to the drug alone. Moreover, toxicity studies confirmed that nanomatrices were biocompatible and no sign of any toxic effect was found.

SIGNIFICANCE

We concluded that our developed nanomatrices had successfully enhanced the solubility of Chlorthalidone and can also be used for other poorly aqueous soluble drugs.

Patterns and determinants of healthcare-seeking behavior among hypertensive patients in a rural population of north India: A mixed-method study

The prevalence of hypertension in india over the last 30 years is known to have increased rapidly. Hypertension is a chronic disease that needs to be managed within its sociological context as experienced by individuals. This study was conducted to identify the quantitative and qualitative determinants of healthcare-seeking behavior among hypertensive individuals in a rural population of north india.