Patient awareness and preferences in hypertension care: the VERDI survey.

Authors

Domenico Tavella, Matteo Piscopo, Alessandro Sarai, Alessia Gambaro, Concetta Gangemi, Gabriele Pesarini, Simone Fezzi, Roberto Scarsini, Verdiana Galli, Valeria Ferrero, Giovanni Gambaro, Flavio Luciano Ribichini

Published in

Journal of nephrology. Aug 11, 2026. Epub Aug 11, 2026.

Abstract

Poor hypertension awareness undermines adherence and blood pressure (BP) control. Renal denervation (RDN) may be considered an adjunctive option to pharmacotherapy within a shared decision-making process, where doctor-patient communication plays a central role. This study aimed to assess patients' awareness of hypertension, perceived treatment burden, and preferences toward medical and interventional BP-lowering strategies.
Questionnaires were administered to hypertensive patients receiving medical therapy (DRUGS group) and to candidates for RDN (RDN group). The latter group received a slightly modified version. The questionnaire was administered at the first evaluation for inclusion in the study (or before RDN hospitalization) and re-administered after six months.
From 2022 to 2024, 100 hypertensive patients on medical therapy and 50 candidates for RDN were included in a 2:1 ratio. At baseline, RDN candidates reported higher concern about hypertension and greater perceived burden of antihypertensive medications compared with the DRUGS group. Six months post-RDN, patients reported reduced concerns, improved self-perceived health status, and a reduction in BP (mean change -10.63 mmHg systolic, p=0.0027; -3.16 mmHg diastolic, p=0.0515). In the DRUGS group, BP also decreased over 6 months (-7.14 mmHg systolic, p=0.010; -4.91 mmHg diastolic, p=0.054).
Patients referred for RDN showed greater baseline awareness and, after the procedure, reduced concerns with concurrent BP improvement, while BP also decreased in the DRUGS group. These findings support the role of structured patient communication and multidisciplinary counselling to improve awareness and optimize hypertension management.

PMID:
42578932
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 11 Aug 2026.

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