Blood Pressure Management in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: Insights From the Diabetes Mellitus Status in Canada (DM-SCAN) Survey.

OBJECTIVES: Optimal treatment of blood pressure (BP) and other cardiovascular risk factors, including hyperglycemia, is integral to diabetes management. There are limited data from the primary care setting concerning the contemporary and comprehensive management of type 2 diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors in relation to guideline-recommended BP target achievement.

METHODS: The Diabetes Mellitus Status in Canada (DM-SCAN) survey included 5172 ambulatory patients with type 2 diabetes. Data were collected on patient demographics, medical histories, medication usage, BP levels and laboratory investigations. We stratified the study population based on their attainment of the BP target recommended by the Canadian Diabetes Association 2013 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada and the Canadian Hypertension Education Program (<130/80 mmHg) and compared patient clinical characteristics and treatments.

RESULTS: Of the 5145 patients with available BP data, 36% achieved the BP target. Prevalence of smoking, known coronary artery disease, retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy were similar in the groups with BP 130/80 mmHg or higher and BP 130/80 mmHg or lower. Patients with BP 130/80 mmHg or higher were taking more antihypertensive agents and were more likely to be taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and/or angiotensin receptor blockers, diuretics and calcium channel blockers. They also had significantly higher glycated hemoglobin and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels. Overall, these patients were also less likely to achieve guideline-recommended glycemic and lipid targets.

CONCLUSIONS: Only about one-third of patients with diabetes achieved the target BP of below 130/80 mmHg. Patients with BP 130/80 mmHg or higher were also less likely to achieve optimal guideline-recommended glycated hemoglobin and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol targets. Improved comprehensive management of all risk factors in patients with diabetes is warranted.