Use of Biomarkers in the Evaluation and Treatment of Hypertensive Patients

The current definition of hypertension is based on blood pressure values, and blood pressure also drives treatment decisions, is the most important treatment monitoring tool and helps estimating risk of hypertension related organ damage. In an era of precision medicine additional biomarkers are needed in the diagnosis and management of patients with hypertension. In this review we outline the areas in which functional, imaging and circulating biomarkers could help in a more individualised definition of hypertension and associated risk. We will cover biomarkers for diagnosis; of pathophysiology and prediction of hypertension; response to treatment, organ damage; and to monitor treatment. A clear focus is on the vasculature, the heart and the kidneys, whereas we see a need to further develop biomarkers of cerebral function in order to diagnose cognition deficits and monitor changes in cognition in the future to support addressing the growing burden of hypertension associated vascular dementia

Designing Multidimensional Assessment of ICTs for Elderly People: The UNCAP Clinical Study Protocol

The elder with mild or moderate cognitive impairment (MMCI) suffers from progressive cognitive decline with increasing difficulties in performing activities of daily living. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for Healthcare can provide solutions to relief the caregivers’ burden and to support the elder in maintaining dignity and independence. The UNCAP European project aimed at developing and testing a bundle of hardware and software technologies able to fit the individual needs of the elder with MMCI and his/her formal and informal caregivers. A multicenter clinical investigation was designed for assessing improvements in the quality of life of all users (elderly with MMCI and their caregivers) and the impact on the use of resources for care. Six pilot sites in Italy were involved in this clinical investigation. A complex set of assessment tools allowed exploring a wide range of dimensions and to extract common indicators and outcomes in accordance to the assessment dimensions required by the Health Technology Assessment approach