Analyzing the spatial distribution of individuals predisposed to arterial hypertension in Saint Petersburg using synthetic populations

Abstract

Arterial hypertension (AH) is one of the most common cardiovascular diseases, and it can lead to serious complications. To optimize the delivery of patients exposed to AH to medical institutions and thus to curtail mortality in Russian cities caused by the consequences of hypertension, it is necessary to estimate the number of potential patients, along with their spatial distribution. This paper presents a method which uses synthetic population data to assess the spatial distribution of individuals potentially prone to arterial hypertension. The risk of arterial hypertension of an individual is calculated based on its demographic characteristics (age and gender). Using Saint Petersburg as a case study, we demonstrate that the mentioned approach makes it possible to perform predictions of AH cases distribution in absence of real data on hypertension status of the individuals. The results of the study will be used to assess the input flows of patients to healthcare facilities and optimize their workflow.