The Article in Brief

Race and Ethnicity in Trials of Antihypertensive Therapy to Prevent Cardiovascular Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Ina U. Park, MD , and colleagues

Background Racial and ethnic minority communities have high rates of hypertension (high blood pressure). Racial or ethnic differences in response to drugs intended to lower blood pressure may contribute to differences in cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure between racial or ethnic minorities and whites. This study examines previous research to (1) identify racial differences in the effectiveness of drugs to lower high blood pressure and (2) determine the number and proportion of Asians, blacks, Hispanics, and Native Americans participating in previous research studies.

What This Study Found Of the 28 studies examined, 8 reported results by racial subgroup, and 5 made comparisons between ethnic groups. Four of these 5 studies found similar effectiveness of treatment in whites and minorities.

Implications

• Certain groups (such as Native Americans) have high rates of cardiovascular disease but have not been represented in research studies in sufficient numbers to conduct meaningful subgroup analyses.
• Including minorities in research studies and analyzing data according to race are important steps in identifying differences in disease course and treatment response--differences that may lead to a reduction in health care disparities in cardiovascular disease.