Dynamics of arterial hypertension and its impact on mortality in the Russian population

Aim. To assess impact of hypertension status in Muscovites cohort aged 35-64 examined twice for 20-years period on all cause mortality. Material and methods. Population based cohorts consists of 2029 Muscovites (1046 men and 983 women) observed twice during 21,8 years period. The same protocol was used with response rate - 65%. Participants defined as hypertensives if their SBP was ≥140 mm Hg, and/or their DBP was ≥90 mm Hg, and/or they reported current use of antihypertensive medications. Effective treatment - the proportion of those with SBP<140 mm Hg and DBP<90 mm Hg among those treated.The first survey participants were divided into the four groups by blood pressure levels and arterial hypertension treatment: First - normal blood pressure, second - treated and controlled hypertensives, third - hypertensives never treated, and fourth - treated but not achieved target BP level. Mortality follow up after second screening was 3,7 years, 154 deaths were observed.Proportional hazard (Cox) regression was applied for linking all cause mortality with groups of hypertension status controlling on sex, age and survey. First - used as a reference group.Results. During the observation period mean SBP has increased among males by 17,6 mm Hg (p<0,0001) and among females by 8 mm Hg (p<0,0001). Mean DBP has decreased significantly among both sexes, (p<0,0001). The dramatically increase in the prevalence of hypertension (from 42,0 to 76,2% in males; from 41,8 to 72,9% in females; р<0,0001) was found.The frequency of adherence to antihypertensive medications without achieving target value has increased (from 3 to 33,2% in males and from 7,4 to 33,1% in females; p<0,0001). The frequency of effective treatment has increase (males: from 0,9 to 14,8%, females: from 3,1 to 23,7%; p<0,0001). After adjustment for sex, age at the first screening, and second hypertension status the effective treated subjects presented a similar all cause mortality risk (risk ratio - RR 0,618 with 95% confidence interval - CI 0,084-4,527) as those with normal blood pressure. Hypertensives who didn’t take medication presented RR 1,564 (1,107-2,208). Those without control of hypertension had RR 1,728 (0,79-3,78).Conclusion. The natural history of hypertension in our country demonstrates its dramatic increase with age. Keeping in mind the progression of the aging process, we expect the increase number of persons suffering from hypertension. To reduce the risk of death in hypertensives it is necessary to steadily improve adherence to treatment and thus increase the number of effective treatment of patients.