Prevalence and clinical characteristics of patients with true resistant hypertension in central and Eastern Europe: data from the BP-CARE study

Objective: Scanty information is available on the clinical characteristics of resistant hypertension in Central and East European countries. The Blood Pressure (BP) control rate and CArdiovascular Risk profilE (BP-CARE) study allowed us to assess the prevalence and the main clinical features of resistant hypertension in this population. Design and method: The study was carried out in 1312 treated hypertensive patients living in nine Central and East European countries. Results: Four hundred and twenty-three patients had apparent resistant hypertension, of whom 168 had pseudo-resistant hypertension (noncompliant/white-coat) and 255 were true treatment-resistant hypertension patients (TRH). Clinical BP values in TRH amounted to 157.4±16.9/91. 8±10.0mmHg despite the daily use of 3.6±0.7 drugs. Their 24-h BP values were 149.5±16.5/97.5±9.8mmHg. Compared to controlled hypertensive patients (n=368) and uncontrolled nonresistant hypertensive patients (n=521), TRH were older with a greater prevalence of women. They showed a higher rate of previous cardiovascular events and a very high cardiovascular risk profile. Estimated glomerular filtration rate was significantly lower in TRH as compared to controlled hypertensive patients and uncontrolled nonresistant hypertensive patients. Overall, target organ damage was more frequently detected in TRH than in controlled hypertensive patients and uncontrolled nonresistant hypertensive patients. The factor most frequently associated with TRH was severity of hypertension followed by age, total cholesterol, BMI and history of heart failure. Conclusions: The present study provides evidence that the prevalence of TRH in Central and East European countries is similar to that found in Western Europe and USA. It also shows the very high cardiovascular risk of TRH and the elevated association of this condition with obesity, renal failure, organ damage and history of cardiovascular events.