A Retrospective Study on Use of Antihypertensive drugs in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus – A Hospital Based Study

ABSTRACT

Background: Association of Hypertension and diabetes has already been established. Hypertension is risk factor for development of diabetes as well for complications like nephropathy, CAD and neuropathy etc. Therefore, Hypertension control is vital to prevent and retard progression of microvascular and macrovascular complications. With this aim, we undertook this study to evaluate treatment patterns in diabetic patients with hypertension, those are being followed at our institute. Materials & Methods: This study was conducted on diabetic patients suffering from hypertension as well. Analysis of Antihypertensive drugs prescriptions was undertaken in all diabetic patients with hypertension reporting to OPD at Department of Medicine, Grant Government Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals, Mumbai, India.  Results: Of 125 patients screened initially, only 100 were eligible for participation. Out of n=100 patients, 58 were males and 42 were females. Mean age of group was 55.2 years. 38 (38%) patients were on monotherapy and remaining 62 (62%) patients were on combination antihypertensive drugs. There were a total of n= 170 antihypertensive drug exposures. Angiotensin receptor blockers were the most commonly prescribed drugs. Angiotensin inhibitors (angiotensin receptor blockers and ACE inhibitors) were utilized in 74% patients. Conclusion: Our study showed that majority of diabetic hypertensive patients needed multiple drug therapy to control hypertension. Most of the patients were on ARBs/ACE inhibitors. This was according to recommendation by ADA or JNC8.