Patterns of Antihypertensive Drug Utilization among US Adults with Diabetes and Comorbid Hypertension: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2014.

Background: Diabetes and hypertension are the 2 leading risk factors for suboptimal cardiovascular and renal outcomes. These 2 conditions often coexist and can benefit from antihypertensive therapy, which may lead to blood pressure control and reduced risk for nephropathy (as evidenced by albuminuria).

Objective: To quantify the trends of antihypertensive drug use and to assess the impact of antihypertensive treatment on the prevalence of blood pressure control and albuminuria, among US adults with coexisting diabetes and hypertension.

Methods: In this serial cross-sectional study, we analyzed data from the 1999-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (N = 3586). We determine the prevalence of antihypertensive use, drug classes used, and their association with blood pressure control and albuminuria.

Results: During the study period, the study population experienced substantial increase in antihypertensive treatment (from 84.6% in 1999-2002 to 90.1% in 2011-2014, P_trend  < .01) and blood pressure control (from 37.1% to 46.9%, P_trend  < .01) and decrease in albuminuria (from 39.1% to 31.3%, P_trend  = .02). These trends were particularly pronounced in the subgroups using angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers. In multivariate analysis, Blacks, Hispanics, and males were found more likely to have albuminuria than their respective counterparts. Achieving blood pressure control (odds ratio = 0.40, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.32-0.49) was associated with lower rates of albuminuria.

Conclusion and relevance: Despite continued improvement in antihypertensive therapy, the burden of uncontrolled blood pressure and albuminuria remains substantial among US adults with diabetes and hypertension. Tailoring pharmacotherapy based on patient characteristics and comorbidities is needed to further improve these outcomes.