The proportion of isolated systolic hypertension is lower in Korean elderly hypertensives

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to find characteristics of hypertension subtypes and predictive factors associated with failure of reaching target blood pressure (BP) in Korean elderly hypertensives. Methods: This prospective, multi-center, observational study evaluated 2439 hypertensive elderly patients (≥60 years), between December 2008 and November 2011. The inadequately treated and drug-naïve patients were categorized in three hypertension subtypes (isolated systolic hypertension [ISH], combined systolic/diastolic hypertension [SDH], and isolated diastolic hypertension [IDH]). At six month, patients were assessed for achieving target BP. The study compared the clinical characteristics of patients who did not achieve target BP with those who achieved. Results: In Korean elderly hypertensives, ISH was the most frequent subtype of uncontrolled hypertension (53.2%, 1297/2439). In total drug-naïve patients, SDH was predominant hypertension subtype (59.6%, 260/436), while in patients aged 60-69 years, SDH was prevalent in 64.1% patients and ISH in 34.4%. At six month, 1395 (66.2%, 1395/2107) patients achieved target BP. Predictive factors associated with failure of reaching target BP were old age and awareness of hypertension. Predictive factors for failure of reaching target BP were awareness of hypertension, ISH and microalbuminuria for drug naïve patients and old age for inadequately treated patients. Conclusions: The proportion of ISH in Korean elderly hypertensives was lower than that published by earlier studies in the US. Old age and awareness of hypertension were predictive factors for failure of reaching target BP in Korean elderly hypertensives. These results would help in adjusting antihypertensive treatment strategies in Korean elderly hypertensives.