Prescribing pattern of antihypertensive drugs in two European cohorts: a population-based database study

Malo, S. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Rabanaque, M.J. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Orlando, V. ; Limongelli, G. ; Feja, C. ; Aguilar-Palacio, I. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Lallana, M.J. ; Russo, V. ; Menditto, E.

Resumen: Background: Antihypertensive drugs play a crucial role in reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Variability in prescribing patterns constitutes a major challenge for current healthcare systems. This study aimed to compare patterns of use of antihypertensives in general practice in two southern European populations.
Methods: Observational study. Data on antihypertensive drugs consumption in primary care setting (2016) were obtained from pharmacy refill records in Campania (Italy) and Aragon (Spain). Prescribing rates and the number of defined daily doses [DDD/1, 000 inhabitants/day (DID)] were calculated, and the Drug Utilization 90% (DU90%) approach used to reveal differences in prescribing patterns in both regions.
Results: Antihypertensive prescribing rates in Campania and Aragon were 250.8 (95%CI: 250.2–251.3) and 201.7 (95%CI: 200.9–202.5) users/1, 000 inhabitants/year. Overall consumption was of 310.1 and 256.8 DID, respectively. Spanish users, especially women and the elderly, consumed a greater volume of diuretics. Conversely, other therapeutic subgroups were more consumed in Campania. However, the most prescribed subgroups accounted for comparable proportions of the total consumption in each region.
Conclusions: Both prescribing rates and intensity of antihypertensive use were higher in Campania. Pharmacy refill records in cross-country comparisons allow to know the factors influencing variability in prescribing habits with a view to improving prescribing quality.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1080/14737167.2019.1567338

Año: 2019

Publicado en: Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research 19, 4 (2019), 463-471
ISSN: 1473-7167

Factor impacto JCR: 2.032 (2019)

Categ. JCR: HEALTH POLICY & SERVICES rank: 38 / 87 = 0.437 (2019) - Q2 - T2
Categ. JCR: HEALTH CARE SCIENCES & SERVICES rank: 54 / 102 = 0.529 (2019) - Q3 - T2
Categ. JCR: PHARMACOLOGY & PHARMACY rank: 194 / 270 = 0.719 (2019) - Q3 - T3

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 0.784 - Health Policy (Q2) - Pharmacology (medical) (Q2) - Medicine (miscellaneous) (Q2)

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA-GRISSA/B09-17R

Tipo y forma: Article (PostPrint)

Área (Departamento): Área Medic.Prevent.Salud Públ. (Dpto. Microb.Med.Pr.,Sal.Públ.)