Risk factor control in hypertensive and diabetic subjects attended by the family health strategy in the state of pernambuco, Brazil: The SERVIDIAH study

Abstract

The SERVIDIAH study (Evaluation of Health Services for Diabetic and Hypertensive Subjects,) was conducted in 2010 in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. A multi-stage random sample of 785 hypertensive and 823 diabetic patients was drawn from 208 Family Health Strategy (FHS) units selected throughout 35 municipalities. Patients underwent a structured interview and weight, height, blood pressure and HbAlc levels (for diabetic patients) were measured. Mean age was approximately 60 years, and women were overrepresented in the sample (70%). 43.7% of hypertensive subjects and 25.8% of diabetic subjects achieved adequate blood pressure control and 30.5% of diabetic subjects had HbAlc levels below 7%. Despite 70% of the patients being overweight or obese, few had adhered to a weight-loss diet. The study of this representative sample of hypertensive and diabetic patients attended by the FHS in the State of Pernambuco shows that improvements in the management of hypertension and diabetes are needed in order to prevent the occurrence of serious and costly complications, especially given the context of increasing incidence of these two conditions.