Purpose: The aim of the present study was to determine which patient-related characteristics influence the selection of the antihypertensive drug class in elderly patients in Slovakia.

Methods: The sample for our study (n = 401) was selected from 1045 patients admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine of a general hospital during the period of 1 December 2003-31 March 2005. Patients aged 65 or more with documented arterial hypertension and treated with at least one antihypertensive drug were enrolled in our retrospective study. Specific socio-demographic and clinical characteristics as well as cardiovascular comorbid conditions were evaluated as potential factors that could have influenced the choice of antihypertensive drug class.

Results: The most frequently prescribed antihypertensive drugs were angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and diuretics (61.8% and 60.1% of patients, respectively). Patients aged >/= 85 years had lower probability of ACE inhibitors prescription (OR = 0.49). Females had higher chance of calcium channel blockers use (OR = 3.84) and lower odds of diuretics administration (OR = 0.50). In patients living alone, ACE inhibitors were preferred (OR = 2.16). The use of diuretics was more frequent in polymorbid patients (OR = 1.95). Immobile patients had lower chance of being prescribed beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers (OR = 0.25 and OR = 0.39, respectively).

Conclusion: The present study revealed that the selection of the antihypertensive drug class in elderly patients is influenced not only by comorbid conditions present but also by socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, such as age, sex, living alone, polymorbidity and immobilization. These characteristics reflect the doctor's perception of risk from pharmacotherapy of hypertension in elderly patients.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pds.1839DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

antihypertensive drug
16
elderly patients
12
ace inhibitors
12
patients
10
choice antihypertensive
8
selection antihypertensive
8
drug class
8
class elderly
8
patients aged
8
socio-demographic clinical
8

Similar Publications

Systemic adverse drug events to topical prostaglandin analogs for treating glaucoma: a retrospective focused pharmacovigilance study.

BMC Ophthalmol

December 2024

Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain.

Background: Prostaglandin analogs are first-line treatments for open-angle glaucoma due to their proven efficacy in reducing intraocular pressure. Despite their topical administration, systemic adverse drug Events (ADEs) have been reported. This study investigates the systemic ADEs associated with topical prostaglandin analogs using the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) Adverse Drug Event Reporting System (AERS) database.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: To investigate clinical characteristics, symptom profile, testing practices, treatment patterns and quality of life (QoL) among patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in Latin America.

Design: Data from the Adelphi Real World PAH Disease Specific Programme, a cross-sectional survey with retrospective data collection.

Setting: University/teaching hospital, regional centres, private practices and government institutions in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background/aim: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive form of primary malignant tumors in the central nervous system of adults. In practice, all patients with GBM experience relapse, and treatment options become limited following first-line therapy. We previously reported a new, successful treatment approach for a GBM patient, implemented in direct conjunction with surgical intervention.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background/aim: Breast cancer is mostly affected by estrogen, which promotes proliferation, tumorigenesis, and cancer progression. Estrogen sulfotransferase (SULT1E1) catalyzes sulfation to inactivate estrogens, whereas steroid sulfatase (STS) catalyzes estrogen sulfate hydrolysis to activate estrogens in breast cancer cells. Three major organosulfur compounds in garlic (Allium sativum L.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Novel approaches to improve long-term outcomes in kidney transplant recipients are required. Here, we present the 5-year data from a multicenter, prospective, Phase 3b trial evaluating treatment outcomes with standard (STD) or low (LOW) dose prolonged-release tacrolimus (TAC) combined with ACEi/ARB or other antihypertensive therapy (OAHT) in Canadian kidney transplant recipients.

Methods: Adult de novo kidney transplant recipients were randomized 2 × 2 to STD or LOW dose TAC and ACEi/ARB or OAHT.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!