Factors Associated With Not Having a Healthcare Visit in the Past Year Among US Adults With Hypertension: Data From NHANES 2013-2018.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Not having a healthcare visit in the past year has been associated with a higher likelihood of uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) among individuals with hypertension.

METHODS:

We examined factors associated with not having a healthcare visit in the past year among US adults with hypertension using data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-2018 (n = 5,985). Hypertension was defined as systolic BP (SBP) ≥140 mm Hg, diastolic BP (DBP) ≥90 mm Hg, or antihypertensive medication use. Having a healthcare visit in the past year was self-reported.

RESULTS:

Overall, 7.0% of US adults with hypertension reported not having a healthcare visit in the past year. Those without vs. with a healthcare visit in the past year were less likely to be aware they had hypertension (45.0% vs. 83.9%), to be taking antihypertensive medication (36.7% vs. 91.4%, among those who were aware they had hypertension), and to have controlled BP (SBP/DBP <140/90 mm Hg; 9.1% vs. 51.7%). After multivariable adjustment, not having a healthcare visit in the past year was more common among US adults without health insurance (prevalence ratio [PR]: 2.22; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.68-2.95), without a usual source of healthcare (PR: 5.65; 95% CI 4.16-7.67), who smoked cigarettes (PR: 1.34; 95% CI 1.02-1.77), and with heavy vs. no alcohol consumption (PR: 1.55; 95% CI 1.16-2.08). Also, not having a healthcare visit in the past year was more common among those without diabetes or a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and those not taking a statin.

CONCLUSIONS:

Interventions should be considered to ensure all adults with hypertension have annual healthcare visits.

• Authors: Oluwasegun P Akinyelure, Demetria Hubbard, Swati Sakhuja, Shakia T Hardy, Suzanne Oparil, Andrea L Cherrington, Kristi Reynolds, Gregory Wozniak, Paul Muntner
• Journal: American journal of hypertension (Am J Hypertens) Vol. 35 Issue 2 Pg. 132-141 (02 01 2022) ISSN: 1941-7225 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 34599797 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
• Copyright: © American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd 2021. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: [email protected].

Chemical References

• Antihypertensive Agents

Topics

• Adult
• Antihypertensive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Blood Pressure (physiology)
• Delivery of Health Care
• Humans
• Hypertension (diagnosis, drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Nutrition Surveys