August 1, 2004European Journal of Heart Failure
Relation of Sex, Age and Concomitant Diseases to Drug Prescription for Heart Failure in Primary Care in Europe
Key result
Advanced age (75-85 years vs <65 years) was associated with a significantly decreased prescription of beta-blockers (OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.43-0.56) in heart failure patients.
Why the study?
Do sex, age, and concomitant diseases predict the prescription of evidence-based cardiovascular drugs for heart failure in primary care?
Population
8,256 patients with symptoms of heart failure cared for in the community by 1,363 primary care physicians…
Design
Cross-sectional
Authors
Discussion
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Member takes
Overview
May indicate age-related underuse of beta-blockers in primary care HF; leaves open whether this reflects appropriate caution or a modifiable gap.
Study Design
Type
Cross-Sectional (n=8,256)
Multicenter
Yes
Structured PICO
Do sex, age, and concomitant diseases predict the prescription of evidence-based cardiovascular drugs for heart failure in primary care?
P
Population
8,256 patients with symptoms of heart failure cared for in the community by 1,363 primary care physicians across 15 European countries
O
Outcome
Predictors of cardiovascular drug prescription (ACE-I/ARB, beta-blockers, digitalis, diuretics, and oral anticoagulants)
Main Result
Effect estimate: OR 0.49 (95% CI 0.43-0.56)
Advanced age strongly predicts decreased prescription of beta-blockers in heart failure patients in primary care, whereas female sex and comorbidity do not consistently lead to underutilization of evidence-based therapies.
Cite This Study
Muntwyler et al. (2004) conducted a cross-sectional in Heart failure (n=8,256). Advanced age, female sex, and concomitant diseases vs. Younger age (<65 years) and male sex was evaluated on Prescription of cardiovascular drugs (including beta-blockers) (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.43-0.56). Advanced age (75-85 years vs <65 years) was associated with a significantly decreased prescription of beta-blockers (OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.43-0.56) in heart failure patients.