A clinical trial to improve high blood pressure care in young urban black men - Recruitment, follow-up, and outcomes

This randomized trial recruited and followed underserved, inner-city, hyper tensive (HTN), young black men and investigated whether a nurse-community h ealth worker team in combination with usual medical care (SI) increased ent ry into care and reduced high blood pressure (HBP), in comparison to usual medical care (UC) alone, Emergency department records, advertising, and BP screenings identified potential participants with HBP. Telephone calls and personal contacts tracked enrollees. Of 1391 potential participants, 803 (5 8%) responded to an invitation to be screened and scheduled a visit. Of the se, 528 (66%) kept an appointment, 207 (35%) were BP eligible, and 204 (99% ) consented to enroll. At 12 months 91% of men were accounted for and 85.8% (adjusted for death, in jail, or moved away) were seen. Mean BP changed fr om 153(16)/98(10) to 152(19)/94(11) mm Hg in the SI group and 151(18)/ 98(1 1) to 147(21)/92(14) mm Hg in the UC group (P = NS). High rates of particip ation are attainable in this population; however, culturally acceptable way s of delivering HBP care are needed. (C) 1999 American Journal of Hypertens ion, Ltd.