Potentially Inappropriate Antihypertensive Prescriptions to Elderly Patients: Results of a Prospective, Observational Study

Geriatric drug delivery - barriers, current technologies and the road ahead

The geriatric population encompasses the largest part of the health care system worldwide. Chronic medical conditions are highly prevalent in the elderly, consequently, due to their complex health needs, there is a significant rate of multi-drug therapy. Despite the high numbers of medications prescribed, geriatric patients face several barriers when it comes to successful drug delivery including alterations in cognitive and physical function. The current review highlights the impact of chronic diseases on the ageing population along with how changes in drug pharmacokinetics could impact drug efficacy and safety. Also discussed are applications of administration routes in the geriatric population and complications that could arise. A focus is placed on the traditional and upcoming drug delivery advancements being employed in seniors with a focus addressing obstacles faced by this patient category. Nanomedicines, three-dimensional printing, long-acting formulations, transdermal systems, orally disintegrating tablets, and shape/taste modification technologies are discussed. Several barriers to drug delivery in the elderly have been identified in literature and directions for future studies should focus on addressing these gaps for geriatric drug formulation development including personalised medicine, insights into novel drug delivery systems like nanomedicines, methods for decreasing pill burden and shape/size modifications.ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTSTypically, senior citizens take more medications than any other patient population, yet most drug delivery technologies are not tailored to address the specific cognitive and physical barriers that these individuals encounter.The safety of drug delivery systems in the elderly patients should be prioritised with considerations on changes in pharmacokinetics with age, use of non-toxic excipients, and selecting drugs with minimal off-target side effects.Several commercialised and upcoming drug delivery technologies have begun to address the current limitations that the ageing population faces.Future research should focus on applying novel strategies like 3D printing, personalised medicine, and long-acting formulations to improve drug delivery to elderly patients.

Screening for orthostatic hypotension in the geriatric population in a real-world primary care setting reduces prescribed antihypertensive medications

BACKGROUND

To determine if outpatient screening for orthostatic hypotension (OH) in the geriatric population results in fewer prescribed antihypertensive medications and if a relationship exists between OH and specific pharmacologic classes of antihypertensive medications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients ≥ 65 years were screened for OH, defined as a decrease in systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 20 mm Hg or a decrease in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 10 mm Hg after standing for 3 minutes. Sitting blood pressure (BP) was measured after patients had been seated quietly in an exam room. Patients then stood for approximately 3 minutes at which time standing BP was recorded.

RESULTS

OH prevalence was 18%. Standing DBP was significantly different between the two groups (70 mmHg ± 18, 80 mmHg ± 13, P  = 0.007). Compared to patients without OH, patients with OH were more likely to have been previously prescribed beta-blockers (56% vs. 32%, P  = 0.056) and potassium-sparing diuretics (11% vs. 1%, P  = 0.026). Physicians discontinued an antihypertensive medication more often in patients who screened positive for OH than in to those who did not (17% vs. 4%, P  = 0.037). Calcium channel blockers were the most frequently discontinued class of medication.

CONCLUSION

Asymptomatic OH is prevalent in geriatric patients. Screening for OH may lead to de-escalation of antihypertensive regimen and a reduction in polypharmacy. Positive screening for OH was associated with de-prescribing of antihypertensive medications. Prior use of beta-blockers and potassium-sparing diuretics was most largely associated with OH.

Prevalence and determinants of resistant hypertension in the delta region of Egypt: A prospective observational study

Background and Aims

Hypertension (HTN) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality affecting about 30%-40% of the adult population in developed countries. Fewer data were published about the prevalence, sociodemographics, and clinical characteristics of the resistant hypertensive population in Egypt. Hence, our aim is to focus the attention on these determinants especially in the delta region of Egypt.

Methods

Data belonging to patients visiting our HTN clinic in the Cardiovascular Department, Tanta University Hospital, Gharbeyah Governorate, Egypt, were collected over 12 months, between January 1, 2022, and 31 December 31, 2022, and then carefully analyzed.

Results

We found that the prevalence of resistant hypertension (RHTN) in the delta region of Egypt was 18%. We noted more RHTN cases in older age, that is, mean ± Std. was 51.5 ± 13.24 and 62.1 ± 7.56 for non-RHTN and RHTN, respectively. Also, the prevalence was higher in women representing about 54.4% of cases. Sixty-two percent of the patients with RH were obese (mean ± Std. of body mass index was 30.7 ± 5.36 in HTN and 47.7 ± 30.3 in RHTN groups with p value <0.001). We found a significant relationship between chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and RHTN.

Conclusion

Control of HTN among the Egyptian population in the delta region was unsatisfactory and higher than rates published globally. RH was more obvious in women, elderly, obese population, and diabetic and chronic kidney disease patients. Excessive use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, smoking, and high salt intake were clearly observed.

Explicit potentially inappropriate medications criteria for older population in Asian countries: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Explicit potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) criteria are commonly used to identify and deprescribe potentially inappropriate prescriptions among older patients. Most of these criteria were developed specifically for the Western population, which might not be applicable in an Asian setting. The current study summarizes the methods and drug lists to identify PIM in older Asian people.

METHODS

A systematic review of published and unpublished studies were carried out. Included studies described the development of explicit criteria for PIM use in older adults and provided a list of medications that should be considered inappropriate. PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Scopus searches were conducted. The PIMs were analyzed according to the general conditions, disease-specific conditions, and drug-drug interaction classes. The qualities of the included studies were assessed using a nine-point evaluation tool. The kappa agreement index was used to evaluate the level of agreement between the identified explicit PIM tools.

RESULTS

The search yielded 1206 articles, and 15 studies were included in our analysis. Thirteen criteria were identified in East Asia and two in South Asia. Twelve out of the 15 criteria were developed using the Delphi method. We identified 283 PIMs independent of medical conditions and 465 disease-specific PIMs. Antipsychotics were included in most of the criteria (14/15), followed by tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) (13/15), antihistamines (13/15), sulfonylureas (12/15), benzodiazepines (11/15), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) (11/15). Only one study fulfilled all the quality components. There was a low kappa agreement (k = 0.230) between the included studies.

CONCLUSION

This review included 15 explicit PIM criteria, which most listed antipsychotics, antidepressants, and antihistamines as potentially inappropriate. Healthcare professionals should exercise more caution when dealing with these medications among older patients. These results may help healthcare professionals in Asian nations to create regional standards for the discontinuation of potentially harmful drugs for elderly patients.

Two Decades of Overuse and Underuse of Interventions for Primary and Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review

Quality use of anti-hypertensive and cholesterol-lowering medications is crucial for successful cardiovascular disease management. This systematic review aimed to estimate levels of over and underuse of services for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases from 2000 to 2020: overprescribing/underprescribing, overtesting/undertesting and overutilization/ underutilization of procedures compared to clinical practice guideline recommendations. Thirteen studies from USA, Europe, Asia and Australia were included. Wide practice variation was identified. Six studies reported overuse (eg, perioperative cardiac consultations, anti-hypertensive overprescribing for normotensive or pre-hypertensive people); and ten studies reported underuse (eg, under-prescribing of statins when indicated and under-screening for familial hypercholesterolemia). Lifestyle recommendations for cardiovascular disease prevention were largely underused. In summary, lack of adherence to published guidelines was prevalent over the past 2 decades for both primary and secondary prevention across settings. Further investigation of potentially justifiable deviations from guidelines are warranted to verify the estimates and identify points for intervention.

Prescribing Practices in Geriatric Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases

Inappropriate prescribing (IP) increases the risk of adverse medication reactions and hospitalizations in elderly patients. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate prescribing patterns among this population. This study was designed to assess the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication (PIMs) use and potential prescribing omissions (PPOs) among geriatrics with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). In addition, it determined the predictors for IP in this population. A multi-center study was performed retrospectively on 605 patients' medical records collected randomly from seven governmental hospitals in Kuwait. Three of these hospitals have specialized cardiac centers (tertiary care). Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 65 years, diagnosed with at least one CVD, and attended the outpatient clinic during the last 6 months before data collection. A total of 383 patients (63.3%; 95% CI: 59.3-67.1%) were found using at least one PIM or having PPO or both, based on STOPP/START criteria. Three hundred and ninety-one patients (64.6%; 95% CI: 60.7-68.4%) were prescribed PIMs categorized as C and/or D medicines according to the Euro-FORTA list. Over one-quarter (28.8%; 95% CI: 25.2-32.6%) of the patients had drug-drug interactions class D that require therapy modification and/or X that should be avoided. Patients taking ≥ five medications had significantly higher PIMs based on STOPP and FORTA criteria, drug-drug interactions (p < 0.001), and significantly higher PPOs based on START criteria (p = 0.041). Patients with three or more chronic diseases had significantly higher PIMs based on STOPP and FORTA criteria and PPOs based on START criteria (p-values: 0.028, 0.035, and 0.005, respectively). Significantly higher PIMs based on STOPP criteria and PPOs based on START criteria were found in general hospitals compared to specialized cardiac centers (p= 0.002, p= 0.01, respectively). These findings highlight the need to develop and implement multifaceted interventions to prevent or minimize inappropriate prescribing among the geriatric population with CVDs in Kuwait.

Beta-blockers in post-acute myocardial infarction patients: Drug prescription patterns from 2018 to Italy's first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Major guidelines recommend the initiation of a beta-blocker therapy after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We aimed to map the treatment pathway of beta-blockers for AMI survivors during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Italy and to investigate predictors for treatment non-initiation. Methods: Healthcare utilization databases of Lombardy Region were investigated. Subjects aged ≥18 years who were hospitalised with AMI in the period February-March-April of 2018, 2019, and 2020 were included, and followed for 30 days from the discharge date, to investigate whether they presented a first prescription of beta-blockers. A multivariate logistic model was performed to evaluate the effect of several covariates on the probability of not receiving a post-AMI beta-blocker therapy. Results: The cohorts comprised 2259, 2383, and 1932 individuals who were hospitalised with AMI in the 3-month period in 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively. Overall in 2020, about 58-60% of individuals with AMI received a prescription of beta-blockers within 1 month after the discharge. A continuous decreasing trend over time was observed. Men were 30% more likely to start the treatment than women, increasing age was associated with significant increasing probability of not receiving a post-infarction beta-blocker therapy, while having received an antihypertensive or lipid-lowering treatment, or having been hospitalized for heart failure prior to the AMI hospitalization reduced the likelihood of not being treated with beta-blockers. Conclusion: The initiation of beta-blocker treatment after AMI remains an under-prescribed practice, that does not seem to have been further affected by the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Identification of Potentially Inappropriate Medications in Frail Older Adults Residing in Long-Term Care: A Retrospective Chart Review Study

INTRODUCTION

Deprescribing is associated with positive health outcomes for older adults in long-term care (LTC), however deprescribing is not universally implemented.

OBJECTIVE

The primary aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) prescribed to frail older adults in Irish long-term care facilities (LTCFs), as identified by the Screening Tool of Older Persons Prescriptions in Frail adults with limited life expectancy, version 2 (STOPPFrail v2).

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was conducted in two publicly funded LTCFs in Ireland. Eligible participants were those (1) ≥ 65 years of age; (2) resident in a LTCF; (3) eligible as per the STOPPFrail v2 criteria by the site's Medical Officer; and (4) receiving regular medication. Data collected included age, sex, drug, dose, frequency, regular/pro re nata prescribing and indication/relevant diagnoses. Rates of polypharmacy (taking five or more medications) and excessive polypharmacy (taking 10 or more medications) were calculated. STOPPFrail v2 was used to identify PIMs; however, clinical measurements were not taken. Descriptive and association statistics were calculated.

RESULTS

Of the 103 residents, 89 were ≥ 65 years of age and categorised as frail and were therefore eligible for inclusion in the study. Of those eligible, 85 (95.5%) had polypharmacy and 57 (64%) experienced excessive polypharmacy. The mean number of regular medications was 10.8 (± 3.8), total medications 17.7 (± 5) and diagnoses 5.5 (± 2.5). The mean number of PIMs per resident was 4.8 (± 2.6). Of the eligible participants, 59.6% had at least one medicine without a documented indication, while 61.8%, 42.7% and 30.3% had at least one PIM from the vitamin D, antihypertensives and proton pump inhibitors drug classes, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Medication and PIM use was high among LTC residents, with inappropriate polypharmacy of concern. Lack of clear indication for prescribing medications appears to be an issue in LTC, potentially affecting healthcare professionals' engagement with deprescribing. The prevalence of PIMs may be overestimated in the antihypertensives/antidiabetic classes due to the lack of clinical measurements.

Applicability of tools to identify potentially inappropriate prescribing in elderly during medication review: Comparison of STOPP/START version 2, Beers 2019, EU(7)-PIM list, PRISCUS list, and Amsterdam tool—A pilot study

Potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) is one of the major risk factors of adverse drug events in elderly patients. Pharmacotherapy assessment criteria may help reduce the instances of PIP among geriatric patients. This study aimed to verify the applicability of selected tools designed to assess prescribing appropriateness in elderly and to identify PIP in the study population. Based on pharmacist-led medication reviews that were performed among patients attending senior day-care centers based in Poland, aged 65 years and over, the following tools were applied for assessing the appropriateness of pharmacotherapy: PILA (patient-in-focus listing approach): STOPP/START v.2 and Amsterdam tool, DOLA (drug-oriented listing approach): PRISCUS list, and DOLA+: Beers criteria v.2019 and the EU(7)-PIM list–the criteria oriented on medications requiring indications. Fifty patients participated in the study. The prevalence of prescribing issues in the study population was very high and ranged from 28% to 100%, depending on the criteria applied. The highest number of PIP cases was identified based on the PILA criteria: STOPP/START v.2 (171, a mean of 3.4 PIP cases per patient), and the Amsterdam criteria (124, a mean of 2.5 PIP cases per patient). The lack of protective vaccinations against pneumococci identified using the START criterion was found to be the most common PIP (identified in 96% of the patients). Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) were identified as the most problematic group of medications. The STOPP, EU(7)-PIM and Beers criteria revealed cases of inappropriate prolonged PPI use, whereas the Amsterdam tool identified cases where PPIs should have been prescribed but were not. The highest number of PIP cases in the study population were identified with the PILA tools, and on this basis the most comprehensive assessment of pharmacotherapy appropriateness in geriatric patients was conducted. Further studies should be designed, covering a larger group of patients across different healthcare settings (inpatient and outpatient), with access to comprehensive patient data.

The use of single-pill combinations as first-line treatment for hypertension: translating guidelines into clinical practice

: The 2008 European Society of Cardiology/European Society of Hypertension guidelines recommend the first-line prescription of two antihypertensive drugs in single-pill combinations (SPCs), also known as fixed-dose combinations, for the treatment of most patients with hypertension. This recommendation is based on a large amount of data, which shows that first-line treatment with SPCs supports reaching blood pressure targets rapidly and reducing cardiovascular outcome risk while keeping the therapeutic strategies as simple as possible and fostering adherence and persistence. As this approach constitutes a big shift from the stepped-care approaches that have been dominant for many years, practicing physicians have expressed concerns about using SPCs as first-line agents. In this review, we will discuss the barriers to the uptake of this recommendation. We will also offer suggestions to reduce the impact of these barriers and address specific concerns that have been raised.

Medication adherence in hypertension

: Suboptimal adherence to antihypertensive medication is a major contributor to poor blood pressure control. Several methods, direct or indirect, are available for measuring adherence, including the recently developed biochemical screening, although there is no gold-standard method routinely used in clinical practice to accurately assess the different facets of adherence. Adherence to treatment is a complex phenomenon and several of the barriers to adherence will need to be addressed at the healthcare system level; however, when looking at adherence from a more practical side and from the practitioner's perspective, the patient-practitioner relationship is a key element both in detecting adherence and in attempting to choose interventions tailored to the patient's profile. The use of single-pill combinations enabling simplification of treatment regimen, the implementation of a collaborative team-based approach and the development of electronic health tools also hold promise for improving adherence, and thus impacting cardiovascular outcomes and healthcare costs.

Underprescription of medications in older adults: causes, consequences and solutions-a narrative review

PURPOSE

Under-prescription is defined as the omission of a medication that is indicated for the treatment of a condition or a disease, without any valid reason for not prescribing it. The aim of this review is to provide an updated overview of under-prescription, summarizing the available evidence concerning its prevalence, causes, consequences and potential interventions to reduce it.

METHODS

A PubMed search was performed, using the following keywords: under-prescription; under-treatment; prescribing omission; older adults; polypharmacy; cardiovascular drugs; osteoporosis; anticoagulant. The list of articles was evaluated by two authors who selected the most relevant of them. The reference lists of retrieved articles were screened for additional pertinent studies.

RESULTS

Although several pharmacological therapies are safe and effective in older patients, under-prescription remains widespread in the older population, with a prevalence ranging from 22 to 70%. Several drugs are underused, including cardiovascular, oral anticoagulant and anti-osteoporotic drugs. Many factors are associated with under-prescription, e.g. multi-morbidity, polypharmacy, dementia, frailty, risk of adverse drug events, absence of specific clinical trials in older patients and economic factors. Under-prescription is associated with negative consequences, such as higher risk of cardiovascular events, worsening disability, hospitalization and death. The implementation of explicit criteria for under-prescription, the use of the comprehensive geriatric assessment by geriatricians, and the involvement of a clinical pharmacist seem to be promising options to reduce under-prescription.

CONCLUSION

Under-prescription remains widespread in the older population. Further studies should be performed, to provide a better comprehension of this phenomenon and to confirm the efficacy of corrective interventions.

Neuropsychiatric Consequences of Lipophilic Beta-Blockers

Beta-blockers are a class of drugs with important benefits in cardiovascular pathology. In this paper, we aim to highlight their adverse and therapeutic effects in the neuropsychiatric field. With respect to permeability, we would like to mention that most beta-blockers are lipophilic and can cross the blood–brain barrier. Observational studies show the presence of neuropsychiatric side effects when taking beta-blockers, and is the reason for which caution is recommended in their use in patients with depressive syndrome. From a therapeutic point of view, most current evidence is for the use of beta-blockers in migraine attacks, essential tremor, and akathisia. Beta-blockers appear to be effective in the treatment of aggressive behavior, beneficial in the prevention of posttraumatic stress syndrome and may play a role in the adjuvant treatment of obsessive–compulsive disorder, which is refractory to standard therapy. In conclusion, the relationship between beta-blockers and the central nervous system appears as a two-sided coin. Summarizing the neuropsychiatric side effects of beta-blockers, we suggest that clinicians pay special attention to the pharmacological properties of different beta-blockers.

Effectiveness of Perindopril/Indapamide Single-Pill Combination in Uncontrolled Patients with Hypertension: A Pooled Analysis of the FORTISSIMO, FORSAGE, ACES and PICASSO Observational Studies

INTRODUCTION

Our objective was to determine the effectiveness of a perindopril/indapamide (Per/Ind) single-pill combination (SPC) in a broad range of patient profiles, including subgroups with varying hypertension severity, age and cardiovascular risk profiles.

METHODS

Patient data from four large prospective observational studies (FORTISSIMO, FORSAGE, PICASSO, ACES) were pooled. In each study, patients already treated for hypertension were switched to Per/Ind 10/2.5 mg SPC and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) measured at the 1-month (M1) and 3-month (M3) visits. Study endpoints included change in SBP and DBP from baseline to M1 and M3 and the percentage of patients achieving BP control (SBP/DBP < 140/90 mmHg for patients without diabetes or < 140/85 mmHg for patients with diabetes).

RESULTS

A total of 16,763 patients were enrolled and received Per/Ind (94% received the full dose of 10/2.5). Mean patient age was 61.4 years (36% were ≥ 65 years old), 57% were women, and 16% had isolated systolic hypertension (ISH). Mean baseline office SBP/DBP was 162/94 mmHg, and mean duration of hypertension was 11 years. Cardiovascular risk factors and comorbid conditions were common in this population. Significant mean reductions in SBP (- 23 mmHg) and DBP (- 11 mmHg) were observed at M1 compared with baseline (P < 0.001), which were maintained at M3 (- 30 mmHg and - 14 mmHg, respectively). At M3, BP control was achieved by 70% of patients (78% for ISH). In patients with SBP ≥ 180 mmHg at baseline (grade III hypertension), the mean SBP/DBP decrease was - 51/- 20 mmHg and 53% achieved BP control. Per/Ind was well tolerated with an overall rate of adverse events of 1.3%, most frequently cough and dizziness at rates of 0.3% and 0.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In this hypertensive population including difficult-to-control patient subgroups, switching to Per/Ind 10/2.5 mg SPC led to rapid and important reductions in BP. BP control was achieved in 70% of patients overall in an everyday practice context.

Low blood pressure is associated with acute kidney injury development and mortality in octogenarians admitted to the emergency room

AIM

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, clinical characteristics and outcomes of acute kidney injury (AKI) in octogenarians admitted to the emergency room, and to compare these parameters with those in a younger group of patients admitted in the same period.

METHODS

This is a prospective, observational, single-center study that enrolled adult patients admitted to the emergency room of Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. Patients were stratified by age (≥80 years or <80 years) and followed up prospectively until discharge. The incidence of AKI, in-hospital mortality and duration of hospital stay were recorded.

RESULTS

Of 319 patients, 128 were octogenarians (mean age 86.7 years, range 80-105 years) and 191 were younger (mean age 60.6 years, range 18-79 years). The incidence of AKI and in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in octogenarians (16.4% vs 12.6%, P = 0.039 and 15.6% vs 3.1%, P = 0.001, respectively). In multivariate analysis, only low systolic blood pressure at admission in octogenarians (P = 0.002), and a history of chronic kidney disease (P < 0.001) and hypoalbuminemia (P = 0.001) in the younger patients were independent risk factors for AKI.

CONCLUSION

The present results confirm the observation that AKI is common in octogenarians. We identified systolic blood pressure as the only independent variable associated with AKI in octogenarians. However, the role of therapeutic strategies aimed to increase systolic blood pressure and diminish complications in octogenarians remains to be elucidated. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 874-878.

Effectiveness and Adherence to Treatment with Perindopril/Indapamide/Amlodipine Single-Pill Combination in a Greek Population with Hypertension

BACKGROUND

Despite the overwhelming evidence and the established benefits of antihypertensive treatment, adherence to treatment remains low.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the adherence to treatment with a perindopril/indapamide/amlodipine single-pill combination (SPC), its effectiveness on blood pressure (BP) reduction, as well as the safety and tolerability of this SPC over a 4-month treatment period.

METHODS

This multicenter, non-interventional study prospectively included 2285 hypertensive patients on perindopril/indapamide/amlodipine SPC. The data were recorded at baseline, 1 month, and 4 months.

RESULTS

Of the 2285 hypertensive patients included in the study, 50.5% were at "high/very high risk". Mean systolic (SBP)/diastolic (DBP) decreased from 162.3 ± 13.3/93.1 ± 9.3 mmHg at baseline to 129.7 ± 8.3/78.6 ± 7.1 mmHg at 4 months (p < 0.001). Patients with higher baseline BP levels showed greater BP reduction. Patients with hypertension stages 1, 2, and 3 showed mean SBP/DBP reductions of 21.5/10.4 mmHg, 34.2/14.7 mmHg, and 51.2/22.5 mmHg, respectively, at study end (p < 0.001). Only 26 patients (1.1%) prematurely discontinued treatment (0.58% due to an adverse reaction or event).

CONCLUSIONS

Perindopril/indapamide/amlodipine SPC decreased BP levels rapidly and significantly. The degree of BP reduction was associated with the severity of hypertension and/or with total cardiovascular risk at baseline. Simplifying the drug regimen by using this SPC improved adherence and showed excellent tolerability.

Cross-sectional survey evaluating blood pressure control ACHIEVEment in hypertensive patients treated with multiple anti-hypertensive agents in Belgium and Luxembourg

Objective

This study evaluates the actual blood pressure control rate and its estimation by general practitioners, the use of single-pill or free combinations, and the attitude towards single-pill combinations in primary care.

Methods

Cross-sectional observational survey in primary care between January 2015 and September 2016 in Belgium and Luxembourg. The participating general practitioners enrolled hypertensive patients taking at least 2 antihypertensive molecules (as fixed or free associations).

Results

742 general practitioners included a total of 8,006 patients, with a mean age of 66 ± 12 years. Systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were respectively 141 ± 17 mmHg and 82 ± 10 mmHg (means ± SD). These patients had a blood pressure control rate of 45%, whereas it was estimated by general practitioners to be 60%. General practitioners with 11–25 years’ experience performed better than general practitioners with 36–51 years’ experience in the evaluation of blood pressure control. Combinations used were free in 39%, single-pill in 34% and mixed in 27% of the patients. Patients receiving single-pill combinations were younger than those treated with free combinations (63 ± 12 vs. 68 ± 12 years, p < 0.001), with fewer comorbidities (39 vs. 55%, p < 0.001). In patients treated solely with free pill associations, 66% of patient cases, general practitioners were willing to switch to a single-pill combination. The main reasons were improved adherence (76%) and better blood pressure control (64%).

Conclusion

In patients requiring at least two antihypertensive drugs, blood pressure control rate remains low and is overestimated by general practitioners. Free combinations remain largely used although many general practitioners seem willing to shift to single-pill combinations. Treatment simplification could improve adherence and blood pressure control rate, which has been shown to lead to reduced morbidity and mortality.

Potentially inappropriate prescribing in Ethiopian geriatric patients hospitalized with cardiovascular disorders using START/STOPP criteria

Background

There was a paucity of data on the magnitude of potentially inappropriate prescriptions (PIPs) among Ethiopian elderly cardiovascular patients.

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess PIPs and associated factors in the elderly population with cardiovascular disorders using the START/STOPP screening criteria.

Methods

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at medical wards of a teaching hospital in Ethiopia from 1 December 2016–30 May 2017. Included patients were hospitalized elderly patients aged 65 years or older with cardiovascular disorders; their medications were evaluated using the START/STOPP screening criteria from admission to discharge. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to identify factors associated with inappropriate medications. One Way Analysis Of Variance (ANOVA) was carried out to test significant differences on the number of PIPs per individual diagnosis.

Results

Two hundred thirty-nine patients were included in the analysis. More-than a third of the patients were diagnosed with heart failure, 88 (36.82%). A total of 221 PIPs were identified in 147 patients, resulting in PIP prevalence of 61.5% in the elderly population. Of the total number of PIPs, occurrence of one, two and three PIPs accounted for 83 (56.4%), 52(35.4%), and 12(8.2%) respectively. One way ANOVA test showed significant differences on the mean number of PIPs per individual diagnosis (f = 5.718, p<0.001). Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEIs) were the most common inappropriately prescribed medications, 32(14.5%). Hospital stay, AOR: 1.086 (1.016–1.160), number of medications at discharge, AOR: 1.924 (1.217–3.041) and the presence of co-morbidities, AOR: 3.127 (1.706–5.733) increased the likelihood of PIP.

Conclusion

Approximately, two-thirds of elderly cardiovascular patients encountered potentially inappropriate prescriptions. ACEIs were the most commonly mis-prescribed medications. Longer hospital stay, presence of comorbidities and prescription of large number of medications at discharge have been correlated with the occurrence of inappropriate medication. It is essential to evaluate patients’ medications during hospital stay using the STOPP and START tool to reduce PIPs.