Core Concepts
Clinical decision support tools improve blood pressure control in chronic kidney disease patients.
Abstract
The study published in JAMA Internal Medicine on March 11, 2024, focused on the impact of a clinical decision support tool on systolic blood pressure (SBP) among patients with chronic kidney disease and uncontrolled hypertension. Primary care clinicians using the tool prescribed blood pressure medication and ordered basic metabolic labs more frequently. The study aimed to address the issue of hypertension management in patients with chronic kidney disease, highlighting the importance of following screening guidelines and providing optimal treatment. The decision support system developed by researchers aimed to modify physician behavior positively, leading to improved patient outcomes.
Key Highlights:
- Clinical decision support tool enhances SBP control in chronic kidney disease patients.
- Primary care clinicians using the tool prescribed blood pressure medication more frequently.
- The tool aimed to improve hypertension management in patients with chronic kidney disease.
- Researchers focused on modifying physician behavior to enhance patient outcomes.
Stats
"Patients were included in the study if they had stage III or IV chronic kidney disease and uncontrolled hypertension, defined as one reading of an SBP > 140 mm Hg taken within the previous 2 years with a primary care clinician."
"Approximately 1000 patients were in each arm, and clinicians were randomly assigned to use the intervention (n = 87) or to practice usual care (n = 87)."
"The intervention group experienced a 14.6-point drop in their SBP, compared with an 11.7-mm Hg drop among patients receiving usual care (P = .005)."
Quotes
"Many primary care physicians don't have hypertension on the top of their list despite it being a key risk factor for adverse outcomes" - Lipika Samal, MD, MPH
"Control of hypertension in the long term is essential to preserving kidney function." - Tamar Horwich, MD, MS