An Analysis of Prescription Patterns in Cases of Uncomplicated Hypertension In A Tertiary Care Hospital
Prescription Patterns in Cases of Uncomplicated Hypertension
Keywords:
Combination therapy, Diuretics, monotherapy, Uncomplicated hypertensionAbstract
Background & objectives- Prescribing pattern in hypertension patients were found to be different
from the recommended guidelines in the past. The objectives of the present study were to analyze prescribing
trends in uncomplicated hypertension and to compare with those of current international guidelines with the
objective to note any deviation. Methods- A prescription based analysis in 1400 hundred uncomplicated
hypertensives in the age group 30 to 60 years was carried out. Results- Monotherapy was prescribed to 893
cases (M 407; F 486) and combination therapy to 507 cases (M 342; F 165). Overall, Calcium Channel Blockers
(CCBs) were the most common agents used 787 (56.21%) cases, 350 monotherapy and 437 as combination
therapy. Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACE I) 452 (32.28%) and Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
(ARBs) 231 (16.5%) cases were the next preferred groups. In double drug combination CCB+ Beta Blockers (BB)
and for triple drug combination CCB+ARB+ Diuretics (D) were more preferred. A significant effect of age
(p<0.01) on prescription of CCBs was noted. Prescription of ARBs and D were significantly (p<0.05 and <0.01
respectively) influenced by gender. Gender had no significant effect on the prescribing trend of
antihypertensive agents in combination therapy, while a significant effect (p<0.05) of age and combined drug
classes CCB+ACE I and CCB+BB+D was noted. The overall prescription rate for diuretics was 40.24% and that
for monotherapy was meagre 5.15% (M 1.23%±; F 3.92%). Diuretics were always prescribed in triple drug
combinations. Interpretation & Conclusions- CCBs were the most commonly prescribed agents. A deviation
existed between antihypertensives prescribed and current international guidelines thus calling upon greater
awareness.
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