Community control of hypertension at the worksite in a metallurgical factory: results of 1-year follow-up

This study was designed to assess advantages and cost-effectiveness of community control of hypertension at the worksite in a metallurgical factory in Pavia. Under consent of managers and trade-unionists, a screening program was undertaken. 2701 subjects (95% of the total number of employees) were screened: 277 (10.2%) were hypertensive, 101 (38%) did not know to be hypertensive, 56 (22%) knew to be hypertensive but they were untreated and only 20 (8%) of those under treatment were adequately treated. Of the 277 essential hypertensives, 262 (94%) adhered to the program. They were assigned to beta-blocking or diuretic treatment following WHO rules. Then an aggressive follow-up was started (the hypertensives were periodically called to control at the worksite). 257 (98%) were participants 1 year later. Our worksite hypertension control program allowed us to identify many cases of undiagnosed or untreated hypertension and to start an early treatment. One year after entry, the percentage of hypertensives achieving a normal blood pressure (85%) was almost twice as that obtained by conventional clinical approach employing the same type of treatment. Besides, more than 95% of hypertensives remained under control at 1 year. Regarding the costs, it is difficult to generalize, but our study suggests that, if there is the will, it is possible to realize programs of hypertension community control at a very low cost (in our experience: 43 dollars per hypertensive per year)