Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension

Paul Conlin, M.D.

Associate Professor of Medicine

Dr. Conlin's research at Brigham and Women’s Hospital investigates the interactions of dietary patterns on blood pressure regulation. His previous work contributed to findings thata diet enriched in fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products that is overall low in total and saturated fat (the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension [DASH] diet) significantly reduces blood pressure. He is now studying the effects of the DASH diet on cardiovascular and renal hemodynamics in patients with isolated systolic hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

His research at VA Boston studies the use of information technology and care management techniques to improve the care of patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Three clinical studies are ongoing: (1) using a telemedicine-based platform for remote retinal examinations, heis studying the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a technology-assisted eye examination to more efficiently screen patients for diabetic retinopathy. (2) Heis assessing the role of pharmacologic preventive strategies for patients with impaired glucose tolerance. (3) Using a novel web-based teaching tool (termed “spaced education”) he is investigating this intervention as a means to improve clinical care of patients with hypertension.

Selected References:

1. Raji A, Gomes H, Beard JO, MacDonald P, Conlin PR. A randomized trial comparing intensive and passive education in patients with diabetes mellitus. Arch Int Med 2002; 162: 1301-04.
2. McMahon GT, Gomes HE, Hickson-Hohne S, Hu TMJ, Levine BA, Conlin PR. Web-based care management in patients with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care 2005; 28:1624-9. 
3. Conlin PR, Fisch BM, Cavallerano AA, Cavallerano JD, Bursell SE, Aiello LM. Nonmydriatic tele-retinal imaging improves adherence with annual eye examinations in patients with diabetes. J Rehabil Res Dev (in press).
4. Conlin PR, Chow D, Miller ER, Svetkey LP, Lin PH, Harsha DW, Moore TJ, Sacks FM, Appel LJ. The effect of dietary patterns on blood pressure control in hypertensive patients: results from the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Trial. Am J Hypertens 2000: 13; 949-955.
5. Williams JS, Solomon SD, Crivaro M, Conlin PR. Dietary sodium intake modulates myocardial relaxation velocity in healthy individuals. J Lab Clin Med (in press).

Contact Information:
(617) 732-8489
pconlin@partners.org