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Lai JH, Gwini SM, Chen G, Long KM, Russell G, Schlaich MP, Stowasser M, Young MJ, Fuller PJ, Mori TA, Wolley M, Reid CM, Yang J. Willingness to be tested for a secondary cause of hypertension: a survey of the Australian general community. Intern Med J 2023; 53:1826-1836. [PMID: 36321804 DOI: 10.1111/imj.15955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary aldosteronism (PA) represents the most common and potentially curable cause of secondary hypertension. However, PA is not commonly screened for, and up to 34% of patients who screen positive do not complete the full diagnostic process. This suggests that the diagnostic process may pose a barrier to patients and may contribute to the under-diagnosis of PA. AIMS To evaluate the willingness of the Australian general public to undergo testing for secondary causes of hypertension and identify enablers or barriers to testing from the patients' perspective. METHODS An online survey containing questions on knowledge and attitudes towards hypertension, willingness to be tested and enablers/barriers towards testing was distributed to the Australian community. RESULTS Of 520 adult respondents (mean age 50.4 years, SD 27.3 years; 28.8% hypertensive; 56.0% female), the majority of non-hypertensive and hypertensive respondents (82.7% vs 70.0%; P = 0.03) were willing to undergo testing for a secondary cause of hypertension that involved blood and urine tests. Greater knowledge of hypertensive risk modification strategies and complications was predictive of willingness to be tested, whereas age, sex, education level, geographic location, socio-economic status and cardiovascular comorbidities were not. The top three barriers to testing included fear of a serious underlying condition, lack of belief in further testing and increased stress associated with further testing. CONCLUSION A high proportion of patients are willing to engage in testing for a secondary cause of hypertension. Education about the risks associated with hypertension and the testing process may overcome several barriers to testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan H Lai
- Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stella M Gwini
- Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gang Chen
- Centre for Health Economics, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katrina M Long
- School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Grant Russell
- Department of General Practice, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Markus P Schlaich
- Dobney Hypertension Centre, Medical School, The University of Western Australia - Royal Perth Hospital Campus, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Departments of Cardiology and Nephrology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Neurovascular Hypertension & Kidney Disease Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael Stowasser
- Endocrine Hypertension Research Centre, University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Morag J Young
- Cardiovascular Endocrinology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter J Fuller
- Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Endocrinology, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Trevor A Mori
- Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Martin Wolley
- Endocrine Hypertension Research Centre, University of Queensland School of Medicine; Greenslopes and Princess Alexandra Hospitals, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Department of Nephrology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Christopher M Reid
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jun Yang
- Centre for Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Endocrinology, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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