Full Title: Characterization of Resistant Hypertension and Associated Outcomes in OneFlorida
PI: Caitrin McDonough, Ph.D.
PI Institution: University of Florida
Mentor: Rhonda Cooper-DeHoff, PharmD, M.S.
Mentor Institution: University of Florida

Funding Source: Internal Funding

Abstract: Resistant hypertension (RHTN) defines a portion of the population with hypertension that does not respond to multiple antihypertensive medications, and is associated with an increased risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes and death. There have been prior reports from randomized controlled trials describing the prevalence, characteristics, and outcomes associated with RHTN; however, this information has not been investigated in a large, diverse, real-world population. Our long-term research goal is to be able to accurately use electronic health record (EHR) data to identify HTN patients who are at high risk for RHTN, and utilize targeted, precision-focused antihypertensive care, which will reduce their long-term cardiovascular disease and stroke risk.

We hypothesize that the very large, diverse patient population within OneFlorida will allow for the detection of novel characteristics associated with RHTN, and an improved understanding of the risk predictors and outcomes associated with RHTN. Our overall objective is to determine the characteristics and outcomes of RHTN in the >2 million individuals with HTN within the OneFlorida Data Trust, a statewide EHR database. Specifically, we will identify and validate characteristics that predict RHTN as well as adverse outcomes associated with RHTN within OneFlorida. Additionally, we will validate and compare these characteristics to those previously identified in randomized controlled trials. The utilization of biomedical “Big Data” to study RHTN characteristics and outcomes will fill current knowledge gaps regarding RHTN, and provide knowledge on the utility of this type of data compared to data from randomized controlled trials. Using data from OneFlorida will advance our understanding of RHTN in a large, real-world population, and begin to transform the manner in which clinical and population research is conducted.