Objective

To examine adherence to guideline-concordant hypertension treatment practices at community health centers (CHCs) compared with private physicians' offices.

Data sources/study setting

National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 2006 to 2010.

Study design

We examined four guideline-concordant treatment practices: initiation of a new medication for uncontrolled hypertension, use of fixed-dose combination drugs for patients on multiple antihypertensive medications, use of thiazide diuretics among patients with uncontrolled hypertension on ≥3 antihypertensive medications, and use of aldosterone antagonist for resistant hypertension, comparing use at CHC with private physicians' offices overall and by payer group.

Data collection/extraction methods

We identified visits of nonpregnant adults with hypertension at CHCs and private physicians' offices.

Principal findings

Medicaid patients at CHCs were as likely as privately insured individuals to receive a new medication for uncontrolled hypertension (AOR 1.0, 95 percent CI: 0.6-1.9), whereas Medicaid patients at private physicians' offices were less likely to receive a new medication (AOR 0.3, 95 percent CI: 0.1-0.6). Use of fixed-dose combination drugs was lower at CHCs (AOR 0.6, 95 percent CI: 0.4-0.9). Thiazide use for patients was similar in both settings (AOR 0.8, 95 percent CI: 0.4-1.7). Use of aldosterone antagonists was too rare (2.1 percent at CHCs and 1.5 percent at private clinics) to allow for statistically reliable comparisons.

Conclusions

Increasing physician use of fixed-dose combination drugs may be particularly helpful in improving hypertension control at CHCs where there are higher rates of uncontrolled hypertension.