Effect of a Multicomponent Intervention Delivered on a Web-Based Platform on Hypertension Control: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE: The prevalence of hypertension is high and still increasing across the world, while the control rate remains low in many countries. Emerging technology, such as telemedicine, may offer additional support to change the unsatisfactory situation. OBJECTIVE: To establish a multicomponent intervention delivered on a web-based telemedicine platform and oriented with the Chinese hypertension management guidelines and to evaluate the effect of the intervention on blood pressure (BP) control for patients with hypertension. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cluster randomized clinical trial of a hypertension management program was conducted at 66 community health centers in China from October 1, 2018, to May 31, 2020, with a 12-month follow-up. Patients with hypertension were blinded to randomization and were randomized to either the intervention group or control group. Hypertension was diagnosed at mean systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) readings higher than 140 and 90 mm Hg or with use of antihypertensive medication. Evaluation of the intervention effect was based on the principle of modified intention to treat. INTERVENTIONS: Multicomponent intervention was delivered on a web-based platform and consisted of a primary prevention program for cardiovascular disease and standardized management for hypertension. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was the change in BP control rate (SBP and DBP levels <140 and 90 mm Hg, or <130 and 80 mm Hg for patients with diabetes) from baseline to the 12-month follow-up among patients with hypertension in the intervention and control groups. RESULTS: A total of 4118 patients (mean [SD] age, 61.6 [9.4] years; 2265 women [55.0%]) were included in the analysis, with 2985 in the intervention group and 1133 in the control group. The BP control rate at baseline was 22.8% in the intervention group and 22.5% in the control group. After 12 months of the intervention, the BP control rate for the intervention group compared with the control group was significantly higher (47.4% vs 30.2%; odds ratio, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.13-1.24; P < .001). The intervention effect on SBP level was –10.1 mm Hg (95% CI, –11.7 to –8.5 mm Hg; P < .001) and on DBP level was –1.8 mm Hg (95% CI, –2.8 to –0.8 mm Hg; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Results of this trial showed that a multicomponent intervention delivered on a web-based platform improved BP control rate and lowered BP level more than usual care alone. Such a telemedicine program may provide a new, effective way to treat patients with hypertension in the community and may generate public health benefits across diverse populations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry Identifier: ChiCTR1800017791