Improving Hypertension Control for Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Duke University
Summary
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a autoimmune disease associated with an increased risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD) and premature death,. Traditional CAD risk factors like hypertension (HTN) are both very common and poorly controlled among RA patients. Patients with RA face significant challenges in controlling HTN. The goal of this project is to identify barriers to HTN care in patients with RA to reduce CAD events.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * 18 years old or older * Uncontrolled hypertension * History of rheumatoid arthritis * Receive both primary care and rheumatology care from Duke Health System Exclusion Criteria: * Age less than 18 years old * Healthy volunteers without rheumatoid arthritis and hypertension * Do not receive both primary care and rheumatology care from Duke Health System * Cognitive impairment with lack the capacity to consent to study participation * Pregnant women * Prisoners
Interventions
- BehavioralBlood pressure intervention arm
The intervention will focus on empowering patients to actively participate in their HTN care, facilitating patient-provider communication, and creating a cohesive care team to close the coordination loop for HTN management. This pilot intervention will help achieve these goals by providing participants with home blood pressure monitors and teaching, improving patient-provider communication regarding blood pressure and RA management, and initiating care coordination between rheumatology and primary care providers.
Location
- Duke Health SystemDurham, North Carolina