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Aim, design and methods of the ‘reasons for not intensifying antihypertensive treatment’ (RIAT): an international registry in essential hypertension

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 20, pages 31–36 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Failure of physicians to adhere to hypertension guidelines may partly account for the failure to achieve blood pressure (BP) goals in clinical practice. The aim of this trial is a comprehensive description of the approach of physicians in the management of high BP among primary care patients. It will primarily assess what are the Reasons for not Intensifying an Antihypertensive Treatment (RIAT), when predefined individual BP goals are not achieved. Open intervention survey was conducted in 17 countries in Latin America, Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia in family practices, government and private clinics. The registry is based on a three-step epidemiological design. Step one shall identify guidelines and recommendations taken as reference in each country for the management of hypertension. Step two will assess the variance between individual targets defined by physicians in their practice compared to guidelines and recommendations. Step three is a prospective registry where physicians collect patient data at baseline; determine individual target BP values. Several follow-up visits are proposed to monitor achievement of these targets. Step three of RIAT aims at providing responses to several key objectives. Recruitment is under way aiming at enrolling 33 000 patients. To identify, what is the BP targeted according to the risk factor profile and what are the reasons for not modifying an antihypertensive treatment when BP goals are not reached, and to analyse the type of antihypertensive drugs prescribed according to compelling indications and to assess the percentage of patients reaching target figures.

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Acknowledgements

This study is supported by Sanofi-Aventis Intercontinental. The study was registered with the Australian Clinical Trial Registry with the number ACTRN012605000163606.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nephrology, Fremantle Hospital, Perth, Australia

    P Ferrari

  2. Department of Cardiology, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea

    S-K Kim

  3. Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan

    C J Wu

  4. Heart Institute, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    N V Pham

  5. Cardiology Research Center, Moscow, Russia

    F Ageev

  6. Hospital Angeles Metropolitano, Mexico, USA, Mexico City

    L D Hermosillo

  7. Cardiology Division, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    R Esper

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  1. P Ferrari
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  2. S-K Kim
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  3. C J Wu
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  4. N V Pham
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  5. F Ageev
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  6. L D Hermosillo
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for the RIAT trialists

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Correspondence to P Ferrari.

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Ferrari, P., Kim, SK., Wu, C. et al. Aim, design and methods of the ‘reasons for not intensifying antihypertensive treatment’ (RIAT): an international registry in essential hypertension. J Hum Hypertens 20, 31–36 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1001937

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1001937

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