Rivasi G, Coscarelli A, Capacci M, Ceolin L, Turrin G, Tortù V, D'Andria MF, Testa GD, Ungar A. Tolerability of Antihypertensive Medications: The Influence of Age.
High Blood Press Cardiovasc Prev 2024;
31:261-269. [PMID:
38658522 PMCID:
PMC11161422 DOI:
10.1007/s40292-024-00639-z]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Despite high prevalence of hypertension, few studies have analysed the adverse effects (AEs) of antihypertensive medications, especially in older patients.
AIM
To investigate the prevalence and associated factors of antihypertensive-related AEs, focusing on the influence of age on treatment tolerability.
METHODS
We retrospectively investigated antihypertensive-related AEs in patients evaluated at the Hypertension Clinic of Careggi Hospital, Florence, Italy, between January 2017 and July 2020. Multivariable regression models were generated to analyse variables associated with AEs in the overall sample and in participants ≥75 years.
RESULTS
Among 622 subjects (mean age 64.8 years, 51.4% female), the most frequently reported AEs were calcium-channel blockers (CCB)-related ankle swelling (26.8%) and ACEi-induced cough (15.1%). Ankle swelling was more common in older patients (35.7% vs 22.3%, p = 0.001; odds ratio [OR] 1.94, 95%CI 1.289-2.912) and was independently associated with Body Mass Index (BMI, adjOR 1.073) and angiotensin-receptor antagonists (adjOR 1.864). The association with BMI was confirmed in older patients (adjOR 1.134). ACEi-induced cough showed similar prevalence in younger and older patients (13.9% vs 15.6%, p = 0.634), being independently associated with female sex (adjOR 2.118), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, adjOR 2.488) and SNRI therapy (adjOR 8.114). The association with GERD was confirmed in older patients (adjOR 3.238).
CONCLUSIONS
CCB-related ankle swelling and ACEi-induced cough represent the most common antihypertensive-related AEs, also at old age. Older patients showed a two-fold increased risk of ankle swelling, that was also independently associated with BMI. ACEi-induced cough had similar prevalence at younger and old ages, being independently associated with GERD.
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