Antihypertensive drug prescription trends in Shahrekord, Iran

Introduction: Hypertension is one of the most leading causes of death worldwide. It is an important risk factor for ischemic heart disease (IHD), chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cerebrovascular diseases. Objectives: The aim of the study was evaluation of the status of blood pressure control and trends in prescribed antihypertensive medication usage among hypertensive patients in Shahrekord, Iran. Patients and Methods: In a cross-sectional descriptive study 250 hypertensive patients were enrolled. The patients were evaluated based on the status of blood pressure (BP) control and the prescription trends and efficacy of antihypertensive drugs. The data were also evaluated in subgroups of diabetics or non-diabetics, smokers or non-smokers, patients with or without CKD, patients with or without IHD. Results: A total of 250 patients (149 women and 101 men) were enrolled in this study. The mean age of participants was 66.22±13.58 years. Mean systolic and diastolic BP were 143.4±29.4 mm Hg and 85.8±12.5 mm Hg respectively. Poor controlled BP was seen in 106 patients. The more common prescribed antihypertensive drugs were angiotensin receptor blockers (46%), diuretics (33.6%) and beta-blockers (32.8%). Conclusion: The study showed that most of the patients had poor controlled BP and physicians increasingly prescribe angiotensin receptor blockers.