Progress in blood pressure control in autosomal dominant polycystic kidneydisease

Hypertension occurs commonly in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney diseas e (ADPKD) and is an important factor in the progression of the disease and cardiovascular mortality. The aim of this prospective 15-year study is to r eport the rate of blood pressure control and the potential effect of a 10-p oint education program developed by our center for ADPKD patients and their physicians. The patients' blood pressure treatment was managed by their pr imary care physicians. Three 5-year periods were analyzed in which similar rates of hypertension in patients with ADPKD were present (63% to 68%), In the first period (1985 to 1989), the rate of blood pressure control (<140/9 0 mm Hg) was 38% for 216 hypertensive patients with ADPKD, From 1990 to 199 4, the percentage of blood pressure control increased to 55% in 194 hyperte nsive patients with ADPKD (P < 0.001 versus 1985 to 1989); and the level of blood pressure control increased to 64% in 181 hypertensive patients with ADPKD during 1995 to 1999 (P < 0.001 versus 1985 to 1989), Although this pe rcentage of blood pressure control in patients with ADPKD remains suboptima l, it compares very favorably with the 27% estimated blood pressure control in patients with essential hypertension from 1991 to 1994 in the United St ates. (C) 2000 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.