Key result
Analysis of 574 antihypertensive prescriptions in Palestine revealed that 51.75% were for combinational therapy and 48.25% for mono-therapy, with beta-blockers being the most commonly prescribed.
Why the study?
What are the prescribing trends of anti-hypertensive drugs in general medical practice in Palestine?
Cross-Sectional (n=574)
What are the prescribing trends of anti-hypertensive drugs in general medical practice in Palestine?
The study highlights a significant gap between current therapeutic recommendations (JNC VI guidelines) and actual prescribing practices for anti-hypertensive drugs in Palestine, emphasizing the need for physician education.
May signal guideline-practice gap in Palestine; leaves open whether education improves adherence in similar settings.
The objective of this study is to explore the influence of current therapeutic recommendations on the prescribing trends of anti-hypertensive drugs in general medical practice in Palestine. Five hundred and seventy four anti-hypertensive prescriptions were analyzed. The percentage of mono-therapy prescriptions was 48.25% and that for combinational therapy prescriptions was 51.75%. Among the mono-therapy prescriptions, b- blockers were the most commonly prescribed, while diuretics were under-utilized. Inappropriate dose strength of atenolol was seen in mono-therapy prescriptions. Expensive and newer angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor drugs (ACE-I) and calcium channel blocking drugs (CCB) were frequently seen in mono therapy prescriptions. Among the combinational therapy, the b-blockers / diuretics was most common. Irrational combinational therapy of b-blockers / ACE-I was noticed. Use of modern and new CCB, ACE-I and angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonists (AT1-RA) was seen in both mono therapy and combinational therapy. The overuse of nonprefered drugs and the under-use of prefered medications is indicative that education of JNC VI guidelines for physicians and health professionals in Palestine is needed.
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Waleed M. Sweileh (2003) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=574). Antihypertensive drugs was evaluated on Prescribing patterns of antihypertensive drugs. Analysis of 574 antihypertensive prescriptions in Palestine revealed that 51.75% were for combinational therapy and 48.25% for mono-therapy, with beta-blockers being the most commonly prescribed.
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