Hypertension: urinary albumin for target organ damage
Indicator
The percentage of patients with a new diagnosis of hypertension in the preceding 1 April to 31 March who have a record of urinary albumin: creatinine ratio test in the 3 months before or after the date of entry to the hypertension register.
Indicator type
General practice indicator suitable for use in the Quality and Outcomes Framework.
This document does not represent formal NICE guidance. For a full list of NICE indicators, see our menu of indicators.
To find out how to use indicators and how we develop them, see our NICE indicator process guide.
Rationale
This indicator aims to support early identification of target organ damage, such as left ventricular hypertrophy and chronic kidney disease, in people with a new diagnosis of hypertension.
Assessing target organ damage can alert the clinician to possible secondary causes of hypertension, some of which are potentially life threatening.
Source guidance
Hypertension in adults: diagnosis and management. NICE guideline NG136 (2019, updated 2023), recommendations 1.2.5 and 1.3.3
Specification
Numerator: The number of patients in the denominator who have a record of urinary albumin: creatinine ratio test in the 3 months before or after the date of entry to the hypertension register.
Denominator: The number of patients with a new diagnosis of hypertension in the preceding 1 April to 31 March.
Calculation: Numerator divided by the denominator, multiplied by 100.
Exclusions: Patients aged 18 years and under.
Minimum population: The indicator would be appropriate to assess performance at individual general practice level.
ISBN: 978-1-4731-6093-4