Between 1981 and 1998, thiazide prescriptions declined from 61% to 10% (P<0.001), while calcium antagonists and ACE inhibitors increased, though women were prescribed newer agents less frequently.
Observational (n=2,597)
No
How did the pattern of antihypertensive drug prescriptions change over time and between genders in a Swedish primary care clinic?
Antihypertensive prescription patterns shifted significantly from 1981 to 1998 towards newer agents like calcium antagonists and ACE inhibitors, with notable gender disparities in their adoption.
Absolute Event Rate: 10% vs 61%
p-value: p=<0.001
PURPOSE: To describe and compare the pattern of antihypertensive drug prescriptions during different time periods. METHODS: Antihypertensive prescriptions were registered in all patients who underwent an annual follow-up during 1998 (n = 984), 1992-1993 (n = 924), and 1981 (n = 689), at the hypertension outpatient clinic in primary health care, Skara, Sweden. RESULTS: From 1981 to 1998 the total prescriptions of thiazides declined from 61 to 10% (p < 0.001), whilst prescriptions of calcium antagonists increased from 4 to 30% (p < 0.001), and ACE inhibitors from zero to 23% (p < 0.001). Prescriptions of calcium antagonists and ACE inhibitors increased during 1990-1995, but during 1996-1998 a significant decrease in primary prescriptions of calcium antagonists was demonstrated (OR: 0.15; 95% CI: 0.06-0.36). During all periods, females were more frequently treated with older types of antihypertensive drugs than males. In the analysis of total prescriptions in 1998 women were prescribed calcium antagonists (OR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.45-0.78) and ACE inhibitors (OR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.31-0.58) less frequently than men. CONCLUSION: There were significant changes in type of antihypertensive drugs used, both by time and between genders. Changes during the latest years indicate that the prescription pattern can be greatly influenced by new scientific reports and economic debate.
Bøg‐Hansen et al. (Tue,) conducted a observational in Hypertension (n=2,597). Time period (1998 vs 1981) vs. Earlier time periods (1981) was evaluated on Prescription of thiazides (p=<0.001). Between 1981 and 1998, thiazide prescriptions declined from 61% to 10% (P<0.001), while calcium antagonists and ACE inhibitors increased, though women were prescribed newer agents less frequently.
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