An analysis of prescription patterns in cases of uncomplicated hypertension in a tertiary care hospital.

ABSTRACT

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.