Abstract Body (Do not enter title and authors here): Background
Age-related concerns are common among clinicians considering remote patient monitoring (RPM) interventions.
Research Question
This study examines the influence of age on adherence and achieving blood pressure (BP) control in patients with hypertension (HTN) using RPM technology.
Methods
We analyzed data from 589 patients enrolled in outpatient HTN management programs between 12/2021 and 05/2025. Patients were issued an FDA 510(k) cleared BP cuff integrated into the electronic health record and received usual therapy. Adherence was defined as the number of days with at least one valid BP reading, divided by total days monitored. Patients were classified as achieving target BP control when their seven-day rolling mean of best daily readings reached ≤130 mmHg systolic and ≤80 mmHg diastolic. Patients monitored for fewer than seven days were excluded. Relationship of age versus adherence and age versus BP control were assessed.
Results
Of the 530 eligible patients, the median age was 64 (IQR 18, range 19–96) years, median monitoring duration was 172 (244, 9–767) days, and median adherence to daily BP readings was 55 (42, 3–100) %.
Patients achieving target BP control (n=411, 78%) had a median age of 65 (18, 19–93) years, were monitored for a median of 189 (276, 9–767) days, and had median adherence of 57 (38, 7–100) %. Median time to achieve controlled systolic BP was 85 (144, 6–738) days and diastolic BP was 98 (148, 6–733) days. The median number of days where the best daily reading was in systolic range was 62 days (124, 2–724) days, and diastolic range was 45 (86, 1–543) days.
Patients not achieving target BP control (n=119, 22%) had a median age of 63 (16, 23–96) years, significantly shorter median monitoring duration of 66 (103, 9–599, p<0.0001) days, and lower adherence of 46.7 (50, range 3–100, p=0.0002) days.
Age did not significantly differ between groups (p=0.2304, Wilcoxon rank sum test). Additionally, the correlation between age and adherence was weak (Spearman’s rho=0.25), indicating minimal influence of age on adherence.
Conclusion
Age was not a determining factor for achieving BP control in an RPM-supported outpatient HTN program. Other factors including demographics and the nature of the program are likely more important. Patients of varying ages, when adherent, successfully reached target BP levels, suggesting RPM programs are effective and appropriate across the lifespan.