Effect of shared care on blood pressure in patients with chronic kidney disease: a cluster randomised controlled trial

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is highly prevalent in patients with diabetes or hypertension in primary care. A shared care model could improve quality of care in these patients Aim To assess the effect of a shared care model in managing patients with CKD who also have diabetes or hypertension. Design and setting A cluster randomised controlled trial in nine general practices in The Netherlands. Method Five practices were allocated to the shared care model and four practices to usual care for 1 year. Primary outcome was the achievement of blood pressure targets (130/80 mmHg) and lowering of blood pressure in patients with diabetes mellitus or hypertension and an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)<60ml/min/1.73m(2). Results Data of 90 intervention and 74 control patients could be analysed. Blood pressure in the intervention group decreased with 8.1 (95% CI = 4.8 to 11.3)/1.1 (95% CI = -1.0 to 3.2) compared to -0.2 (95% CI = -3.8 to 3.3)/-0.5 (95% CI = -2.9 to 1.8) in the control group. Use of lipid-lowering drugs, angiotensin-system inhibitors and vitamin D was higher in the intervention group than in the control group (73% versus 51%, 81% versus 64%, and 15% versus 1%, respectively, [ P = 0.004, P = 0.01, and P = 0.002]). Conclusion A shared care model between GP, nurse practitioner and nephrologist is beneficial in reducing systolic blood pressure in patients with CKD in primary care.