OUTREACH: Urine Analysis and Antihypertensive Treatment

Non-adherence to antihypertensive treatment is one of the leading causes of suboptimal blood pressure control and translates into increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Currently, there is no effective intervention for therapeutic non-adherence. Our project will assess whether high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS)-guided intervention (providing patients with information on the results of their HPLC-MS/MS-based urine analysis combined with targeting the main reason for non-adherence) leads to an improvement in blood pressure control, adherence and a reduction in healthcare costs. Our multicentre prospective randomised controlled trial consists of 6 stages (screening, recruitment, baseline phenotype assessment, intervention, short-term and long-term outcome visits). The study will fill in an important gap in knowledge on management of blood pressure in non-adherent hypertensive patients beyond the initial diagnostic step. It will also inform the development of a cost-effective model for the management of non-adherence in chronic disorders that require long-term drug therapy.