Blood pressure 2 years after a chronic disease management intervention study

Objectives. To follow blood pressure change over time in participants who had participated in a 1- year chronic disease management program focused on blood pressure reduction. The expectation was that blood pressure would return back to the baseline once the study was completed. Study design. Prospective, single-arm observational study. Methods. Study participants were Status Indians living on-reserve with type 2 diabetes and persistent hypertension who had participated in the DREAM3 study. Blood pressure was measured with the BpTRU automated device every 6 months for 2 years. The primary endpoint was the change in systolic blood pressure over the follow-up period. Results. Sixty of the original 96 participants agreed to participate in the follow-up. Mean blood pressure at the beginning of the follow-up was 130/76 (SD 18/12) mmHg. Mean blood pressure at the end of the follow-up period was 132/76 (17/9 SD) mmHg. Target blood pressure (<130/80 mmHg) was present in 53%. The 99% confidence limit around change of blood pressure over the 24 months of follow-up was ±4.7mmHg. Conclusions. Contrary to expectations, the participants maintained their blood pressure control and did not revert to baseline levels. Community awareness and engagement resulting from the chronic disease management program led to a sustainable improvement in the health parameters of the participants and the community that lasted beyond the duration of the 1-year DREAM3 project. (Int J Circumpolar Health 2010; 69(1):50-60) Keywords: hypertension, diabetes mellitus, home care nurse, Aboriginal health, chronic disease management