OBJECTIVES: Blood pressure control is a great challenge in the diabetic patient population since the blood pressure target is lower, <130/80, as compared to <140/90 in general population. The objective of this study was to examine the rate and the association of patient characteristics (demographic, access to health care and clinical factors) and practice characteristics with hypertension screening, treatment and control in diabetic population.METHODS: National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey 2006  were used to analyze outpatient visits made by adults18 years and older diagnosed with diabetes. Descriptive analysis was done to find the rate and binary logistic regression was carried out to find the predictors. Statistical significance was set at alpha of 0.05.RESULTS: Hypertension screening, treatment and control rate was 66.9%, 53.1% and 28.4% in diabetic patients. The odds of not getting screened were visits other than primary care physician (OR7.52), with no diagnostic tests (OR6.63), having no co morbidities (OR3.64), non obese (OR1.72) and increasing age (OR2.03, OR2.35, OR2.72). Odds of not being treated were settings located in south geographic region (OR1.29), provider other than primary care physician (OR2.02), hospital setting (OR1.28), no diagnostic tests (OR1.97) and having no co morbidities (OR1.558). Odds of not having blood pressure control were greater for black race (OR 1.75), patients with no past visits (OR 1.79), obese (OR 1.37) and having no co morbidities (OR 1.40).CONCLUSIONS: The study found that although more than 50% of the diabetic patients were screened and treated, blood pressure control was found in only one third of the population. Both the patient factors; demographic, access to health care, clinical factors and practice characteristics were responsible for poor quality of care (hypertension screening and treatment) and poor outcome (blood pressure control).