A Study of Prescribing Pattern in Patients of Hypertension

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertension is a multi-factorial and complex disease that has both environmental and genetic determinants. It is the single most significant risk factor for heart diseases and kidney diseases. Hypertension is a leading contributor to global burden of morbidity and mortality. It is considered as a silent killer because most of the time it is asymptomatic and goes undetected. Hence, hypertensive patients should be prescribed properly. Objectives: To evaluate the prescribing pattern of anti-hypertensive drugs in patients of hypertension. Material and Methods: This was an observational, cross sectional study conducted over a period of 1 year on hypertensive patients attending the Cardiology outpatient department of Government Medical College and Rajindra Hospital, Patiala and fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The prescriptions were evaluated. Results: 22% of prescriptions had monotherapy, amongst which beta-blockers were most commonly prescribed. Majority of prescriptions had two drug therapy (47%), among which ARB+ beta blockers (17%) were most frequently prescribed. Beta blockers +CCB (9%) was the most common Fixed Drug Combination (FDC) prescribed. ARB+beta blockers+diuretics (14%) and ACEI+ARB+beta blockers+diuretics (1%) were most commonly prescribed three drug combinations. Among four drug combinations, only ACEI+ARB+beta blockers+diuretics was prescribed to 1% patients. Hypolipidemic drugs (66%) were maximally co-prescribed. Conclusions: A high trend of polypharmacy was observed in hypertensive patients. So, emphasis is needed to reevaluate the prescribing trends in these patients.

Current prescription status of anti hypertensives in cardiology

“…In our study we observed BB+ ARB are highly used it occupies 19.73% and complies with Haq et al (2019) and (Singla et al, 2018) (47.46%) but (4.81%) according to (Romday et al, 2016) entirely contradict to our observation. BB+CCB (17.27%) and in (Singla et al, 2018) (4.13%) but (Romday et al, 2016) indicates 12.04% similar to our observations.…”

“…ARB (31.78%), CCB(9.15%), DI(4.56%), ACEI (4.56%). In our study we observed BB (61.91%) , ARB (13.76%), CCB (12.69%), DI (5.69%), ACEI (3.17%) and complies with (Haq et al, 2019) α +β blockers (2.78%). According to (Singla et al, 2018) ARB (45.47%), BB(9.09%), CCB(22.75%), ACEI(20.64%), DI (2.05%).…”

“…According to (Haq et al, 2019) BB (49.95%) was highly used as monotherapy. ARB (31.78%), CCB(9.15%), DI(4.56%), ACEI (4.56%).…”

“…According to (Haq et al, 2019)triple therapy combinations used were ACEI+BB+CCB (3.33%), ARB+BB+CCB (36.63%) indicating next to highly used combination, ARB+BB+DI (46.62%) stating highly used combination, ARB+CCB+DI (9.99%) and BB+CCB+DI (3.43%). In our study we observed BB+DI+DI (23.34%) as highly used combination but (Singla et al, 2018) states least used combination(1.93%).…”

“…As the time changes new drugs, formulations and combinations are available. Hence drug utilization studies, prescription pattern and prescriber attitudes towards prescription will help in modi ication/ amendment or preparation of new guidelines (Khurshid et al, 2012;Jangir et al, 2019;Haq et al, 2019). Hence, our study is designed to asses the present trend of prescription and its compliance with guidelines.…”