Key result
Single pill anti-hypertensive combination medications were prescribed to 56.8% of patients with hypertension attending a tertiary cardiology clinic in Nigeria.
Why the study?
Contemporary guidelines favor single-pill combinations to simplify regimens and improve adherence, but data on their frequency of use in sub-Saharan Africa are lacking.
Cross-Sectional (n=373)
No
Over half of hypertensive patients in a Nigerian tertiary cardiology clinic are prescribed single-pill combination therapies, aligning with contemporary guidelines to reduce pill burden and improve adherence.
SPC use in over half of patients at one Nigerian clinic supports local feasibility; leaves open generalizability and adherence impact in primary care.
Background: Majority of patients with hypertension require 2 or more medications to provide adequate blood pressure (BP) control. In addition, contemporary guidelines on the management of hypertension favor the use of single-pill combinations (SPCs) as they simplify the treatment regimen and decrease the daily pill burden for patients, both of which are associated with improved adherence. In spite of this, there is a lack of data in sub-Saharan Africa on the frequency of use of SPC anti-hypertensive medications. Method: We prospectively collected detailed clinical data from 373 patients with primary diagnosis of hypertension attending the cardiology clinic of University of Abuja Teaching Hospital between 2016 and 2017. Results: Three hundred and seventy three patients with mean age of 50.6 ± 12.3 years and mean body mass index of 31.2 ± 6.5kg/m2 on anti-hypertensive treatment were evaluated. Baseline mean systolic and diastolic BPs were 161.1 ± 3.1mmHg and 95.4 ± 15.6mmHg respectively, while the mean pulse pressure was 56.6 ± 18.1mmHg. 212 (56.8%) where on SPCs, with 32.5% on angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) plus hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), 18.9% on angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) plus HCTZ, 9.9% on amlodipine (AML) plus ARB, 3.3% on AML plus ACEI, 3.8% on thiazide-like diuretic plus atenolol, 29.2% on HCTZ plus amiloride, and 2.4% on triple combination of AML+ARB+HCTZ. Conclusion: Our study has shown that over 50% of our patients were on SPC anti-hypertensive medications, with the most prescribed single pill combination being angiotensin receptor blocker plus thiazide diuretic.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Ojji et al. (2021) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=373). Single pill anti-hypertensive combination medications was evaluated on Frequency of use of single pill anti-hypertensive combination therapies. Single pill anti-hypertensive combination medications were prescribed to 56.8% of patients with hypertension attending a tertiary cardiology clinic in Nigeria.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: