[Trends in prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of arterial hypertension between 1986 and 1996: the MONICA-Catalonia study].

Background: To describe temporal trends in blood pressure (BP) and in the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of arterial hypertension(AH) between 1986-1996 in the MONICA-Catalonia study.

Subjects And Method: Three cross-sectional health surveys in independent random samples of the general population aged 25-64, carried out in 1986-88,1990-92 and 1994-96 according to the WHO-MONICA study protocol.BP was measured twice with a random zero mercury sphygmomanometer.

Results: 2,571, 2,934 and 3,485 subjects were examined in each survey with response rates of 74, 67 and 72%, respectively. Age-adjusted mean of systolic BP (SBP) decreased 2 and 4 mmHg (p < 0.001)reaching 120 and 114 mmHg in 1994-96 in men and women, respectively. Diastolic BP (DBP) did not change in men (73-74 mmHg) nor in women(70-71 mmHg). Age-adjusted prevalence of AH (>= 160/95 and/or under pharmacological treatment) was 8% (men) and 10% (women)in 1994-96 and of AH (>= 140/90 and/or under pharmacological treatment) was 15% in both sexes. Awareness of hypertension (AH >= 140/90) increased from 67 to 76%. Treated hypertensives increased from 22 to 40% (men) and from 44 to 54% (women). The use of diuretics and betablockers decreased and ACE inhibitors increased. At the end of the period, 52% of hypertensives were controlled. SBP also decreased in normotensives but not DBP.

Conclusions: Between 1986 and 1996, the prevalence of AH in Catalonia remained stable although awareness, treatment and control had substantially improved.SBP decreased but DBP remained stable.