Physicians May Sometimes Over-Treat Hypertension In People With Diabetes.

Reuters  (5/30, Pittman) reports that according to a study  published online May 28 in the Archives of Internal Medicine, while Veterans Affairs hospitals are following treatment guidelines for patients with diabetes and high blood pressure, some patients with diabetes may be getting intensive blood pressure treatment they do not need. The study's lead author told Reuters, "Sometimes when blood pressure gets too low, it's okay to back off" on providing such intensive treatment.

        MedPage Today  (5/30, Bankhead) reports, "Overly aggressive treatment of hypertension in diabetic patients occurred almost as often as undertreatment at facilities included in a review" of VA "hospitals and outpatient clinics. Overall, 94% of hypertensive diabetic patients seen at 879 VA facilities received care consistent with a clinical action measure of appropriate treatment of hypertension. However, 20% of patients had lower-than-recommended blood pressure values, and examination of records revealed potential overtreatment in 40% of the cases (8% of all diabetic patients)."