Display options
Cite
Lin CS, Chu YH, Hung YJ, et al. Outpatient Hypertension Control and Prescribing Habits for Hypertension in Taiwan. Acta Cardiol Sin. 2013;29(6):539-49
Lin, C. S., Chu, Y. H., Hung, Y. J., Lee, D. Y., & Chen, C. Y. (2013). Outpatient Hypertension Control and Prescribing Habits for Hypertension in Taiwan. Acta Cardiologica Sinica, 29(6), 539-49.
Lin, Chung-Sheng, et al. "Outpatient Hypertension Control and Prescribing Habits for Hypertension in Taiwan." Acta Cardiologica Sinica vol. 29,6 (2013): 539-49.
Lin CS, Chu YH, Hung YJ, Lee DY, Chen CY. Outpatient Hypertension Control and Prescribing Habits for Hypertension in Taiwan. Acta Cardiol Sin. 2013 Nov;29(6):539-49. PMID: 27122755; PMCID: PMC4805033.
Copy Download .nbib Format: NLM
Share it on

Acta Cardiol Sin. 2013 Nov;29(6):539-49.

Outpatient Hypertension Control and Prescribing Habits for Hypertension in Taiwan.

Acta Cardiologica Sinica

Chung-Sheng Lin, Yung-Hua Chu, Yi-Jen Hung, Du-Yi Lee, Cheng-Yun Chen

Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital and School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan;
  2. Department of Cardiology, Taichung Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan;
  3. Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan;
  4. Department of Internal Medicine, Cheng Ching Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan;
  5. Department of Internal Medicine, Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi, Taiwan.

PMID: 27122755 PMCID: PMC4805033

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hypertension control is of the utmost importance for reducing cardiovascular risk. In Taiwan, the hypertension control rate of the general population is low (25%). We investigated the factors affecting outpatient hypertension control to determine whether the low control rate stems from clinician unawareness or inadequate public education.

METHODS: Hypertensive patients were recruited between 2003 and 2004 by 13 cardiologists and 9 non-cardiologists from 19 hospitals distributed across four geographical areas of Taiwan. Each clinician recruited 100 consecutive patients from outpatient clinics and reported their drug prescriptions, co-morbidities, and blood pressure (BP) levels. Data were analyzed using the chi square test and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS: Of the 2145 enrolled patients, 63% attained the BP goal of < 140/90 mmHg. BP control rates were higher in older patients, and in patients who were treated by cardiologists and at medical centers. The control rate of high risk co-morbidity patients (BP goal of < 130/80 mmHg) was 36%, which was significantly lower than the 62% control rate of low risk patients (BP goal of < 140/90 mmHg). Cardiologists achieved higher BP control rates (65% vs. 60%; p = 0.0039), and prescribed more combination regimens (p < 0.0001) and beta blockers than non-cardiologists. Overall, 63% of patients received combination therapy. Calcium channel blockers were the most commonly prescribed antihypertensive drugs, followed by beta blockers, angiotensin receptor blockers, diuretics, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.

CONCLUSIONS: Two-thirds of the entire study population received combination therapy, although BP control rate is still less than optimal in the high risk patients. Ultimately, a more aggressive strategy is strongly encouraged for patients considered to be at high risk.

KEY WORDS: Combination therapy; Hypertension control rate; Prescribing habit.

References

  1. Lancet. 2001 Oct 20;358(9290):1305-15 - PubMed
  2. Hypertension. 2011 Oct;58(4):566-72 - PubMed
  3. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009 Jul 08;(3):CD001841 - PubMed
  4. JAMA. 1997 Jul 9;278(2):89-93 - PubMed
  5. Int J Cardiol. 2012 Apr 5;156(1):41-6 - PubMed
  6. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2002 Nov-Dec;4(6):393-404 - PubMed
  7. BMC Health Serv Res. 2008 Jun 18;8:133 - PubMed
  8. J Hypertens. 2008 Mar;26(3):600-6 - PubMed
  9. N Engl J Med. 2008 Mar 6;358(10):1064-71 - PubMed
  10. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2009 May;84(2):194-200 - PubMed
  11. Hypertension. 2007 Feb;49(2):272-5 - PubMed
  12. JAMA. 2003 Jul 9;290(2):199-206 - PubMed
  13. Stroke. 1997 Aug;28(8):1579-84 - PubMed
  14. Arch Intern Med. 2007 Jan 22;167(2):141-7 - PubMed
  15. J Formos Med Assoc. 2010 Oct;109(10):740-73 - PubMed
  16. J Hypertens. 2011 Aug;29(8):1641-8 - PubMed
  17. J Hypertens. 2007 Jun;25(6):1105-87 - PubMed
  18. Lancet. 2002 Dec 14;360(9349):1903-13 - PubMed
  19. BMJ. 2003 Jun 28;326(7404):1427 - PubMed
  20. BMJ. 2009 May 19;338:b1665 - PubMed
  21. Value Health. 2003 Sep-Oct;6(5):566-73 - PubMed
  22. Health Aff (Millwood). 2003 May-Jun;22(3):77-88 - PubMed
  23. J Rheumatol. 2001 Jul;28(7):1640-6 - PubMed
  24. Hypertension. 2006 Nov;48(5):846-52 - PubMed
  25. JAMA. 2003 May 21;289(19):2560-72 - PubMed
  26. Am J Med. 2005 Jul;118(7):695-705 - PubMed
  27. Blood Press Suppl. 2008 Jun;1:24-31 - PubMed

Publication Types