# Impact of the National Essential Public Health Service Package on Blood Pressure Control in Chinese People With Hypertension: Retrospective Population-Based Longitudinal Study

## TL;DR

A study found that a public health program in China helped lower blood pressure in people with hypertension, especially over time.

## Contribution

This study provides the first longitudinal evidence of the effectiveness of the NEPHSP in improving blood pressure control in China.

## Key findings

- Blood pressure control improved significantly over time in participants enrolled in the NEPHSP.
- Older individuals showed greater improvements in blood pressure control compared to younger participants.
- Participants with cardiovascular disease had smaller improvements in blood pressure control.

## Abstract

The National Essential Public Health Service Package (NEPHSP) was launched in 2009 to tackle poor blood pressure control in Chinese people with hypertension; however, it’s effect is still unclear.

In a retrospective population-based longitudinal study, we aimed to evaluate effect of the NEPHSP on blood pressure control.

A total of 516,777 patients registered in the NEPHSP were included. The blood pressure control data were assessed based on the Residence Health Record System dataset. We longitudinally evaluated the effects of the NEPHSP on blood pressure control by analyzing changes in blood pressure at quarterly follow-ups. Both the degree and trend of the blood pressure changes were analyzed. We conducted stratified analysis to explore effects of the NEPHSP on blood pressure control among subgroups of participants with specific characteristics.

The mean baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were 147.12 (SD 19.88) mm Hg and 85.11 (SD 11.79) mm Hg, respectively. The control rates of baseline SBP and DBP were 39.79% (205,630/516,777) and 69.21% (357,685/516,777). Compared to baseline, the mean SBP decreased in each quarter by 5.06 mm Hg (95% CI −5.11 to −5.00; P<.001), 6.69 mm Hg (95% CI; −6.74 to −6.63; P<.001), 10.30 mm Hg (95% CI −10.34 to −10.23; P<.001), and 6.63 mm Hg (95% CI −6.68 to −6.57; P<.001). The SBP control rates increased in each quarter to 53.12% (274,493/516,777; β coefficient=0.60, 95% CI 0.59-0.61; P<.001), 56.61% (292,537/516,777; β coefficient=0.76, 95% CI 0.75-0.77; P<.001), 63.4% (327,648/516,777; β coefficient=1.08, 95% CI 1.07-1.09; P<.001), and 55.09% (284,711/516,777; β coefficient=0.69, 95% CI 0.68-0.70; P<.001). Compared to baseline, the mean DBP decreased in each quarter by 1.75 mm Hg (95% CI −1.79 to −1.72; P<.001), 2.64 mm Hg (95% CI −2.68 to −2.61; P<.001), 4.20 mm Hg (95% CI −4.23 to −4.16; P<.001), and 2.64 mm Hg (95% CI −2.68 to −2.61; P<.001). DBP control rates increased in each quarter to 78.11% (403,641/516,777; β coefficient=0.52, 95% CI 0.51-0.53; P<.001), 80.32% (415,062/516,777; β coefficient=0.67, 95% CI 0.66-0.68; P<.001), 83.17% (429,829/516,777; β coefficient=0.89, 95% CI 0.88-0.90; P<.001), and 79.47% (410,662/516,777; β coefficient=0.61, 95% CI 0.60-0.62; P<.001). The older age group had a larger decrease in their mean SBP (β coefficient=0.87, 95% CI 0.85-0.90; P<.001) and a larger increase in SBP control rates (β coefficient=0.054, 95% CI 0.051-0.058; P<.001). The participants with cardiovascular disease (CVD) had a smaller decrease in their mean SBP (β coefficient=−0.38, 95% CI −0.41 to −0.35; P<.001) and smaller increase in SBP control rates (β coefficient=−0.041, 95% CI −0.045 to −0.037; P<.001) compared to the blood pressure of participants without CVD.

The NEPHSP was effective in improving blood pressure control of Chinese people with hypertension. Blood pressure control of older individuals and those with CVD need to be intensified.