Objective: The aim of the Eclat survey was to evaluate the frequency of frailty in uncontrolled hypertensives and to individualize different frailty profiles.
Patients and methods: This was an observational, prospective, longitudinal survey conducted in the cohort of uncontrolled hypertensive patients aged 55 years or more. Morbid events having occurred between two visits at a 6-month interval were reported. Patients with at least one event were considered to be frail. Predictive factors of at least one event were identified (logistic regression). The analysis was completed by a typological analysis (principal components analysis and clustering).
Results: At least one event occurred in 211 (9%) of 2306 patients (males 55%, 67+/-9 years old, blood pressure [BP]=160+/-11/93+/-8 mmHg, diabetes 23%): cardiovascular (1.7%), gerontological (5.5%), onset of diabetes (1.3%), worsening of renal impact (2%). Three frailty profiles were identified: patients at low risk (n=1507, event rate=6%), with neither cardiovascular risk factors nor target organ damage; patients at moderate risk (n=335, event rate=12%) with numerous risk factors but no target organ damage and patients at high risk (n=243, event rate=23%), the older ones, in bad general condition, with target organ damage, sensorial deficits and cognitive disorders. In a population of uncontrolled hypertensives aged 55 years or more, 9% could be considered as frailty.
Conclusion: Therapeutic measures might be adapted according to the frailty profile of the patient. With respect to treatment management, healthcare behaviour could differ depending on these frailty profiles.