Antihypertensive treatment patterns and blood pressure control in older adults: results from the Berlin Aging Study II

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Item Type:	Article
Title:	Antihypertensive treatment patterns and blood pressure control in older adults: results from the Berlin Aging Study II
Creators Name:	König, M., Gollasch, M., Rosada, A., Demuth, I., Spira, D. and Steinhagen-Thiessen, E.
Abstract:	BACKGROUND: Hypertension is highly prevalent in older adults and represents a major public health issue since ecognition, awareness, treatment and control are insufficient. Analyses of prescription patterns in conjunction with clinical parameters can provide novel insights into the current practice of hypertension management and help to identify barriers to sufficient hypertension control. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted. Prevalence of hypertension, patterns of antihypertensive therapy, and determinants of blood pressure (BP) control were examined in the Berlin Aging Study II cohort, including 1654 community-dwelling older adults (60-85 years of age). RESULTS: Of the participants, 75.9% had hypertension; 40.6% of these were not prescribed BP medications. Lack of hypertension awareness, younger age, absence of comorbidities, not being on a statin, and not having visited a physician in the past 3 months were associated with lack of treatment. Forty-two percent of treated hypertensive individuals received monotherapy and 58.0% received combination therapy. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors, and β-blockers were most commonly prescribed, while calcium channel blockers were least prescribed. Only 38.5% of treated hypertensive individuals had their BP controlled to < 140/90 mmHg. Number and choice of BP medications were not predictive of BP control; neither were age, glycated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)), kidney function, or number of healthcare visits. However, female sex, lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and current smoking, amongst others, were positively associated with BP control. There was evidence of significant effect modification by statins in the association of LDL-C and BP. CONCLUSION: The majority of older adults do not reach BP goals. Antihypertensive prescription patterns do not conform to current guidelines. Using more BP medications was not associated with higher odds of BP control. Lowering LDL-C might be favorable in terms of BP control.
Keywords:	Antihypertensive Agents, Blood Pressure, Calcium Channel Blockers, LDL Cholesterol, Cross-Sectional Studies, Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors, Hypertension, Independent Living, Physicians, Physicians' Practice Patterns
Source:	Drugs & Aging
ISSN:	1170-229X
Publisher:	Springer / Adis
Volume:	35
Number:	11
Page Range:	993-1003
Date:	November 2018
Official Publication:	https://doi.org/10.1007/s40266-018-0580-0
PubMed:	View item in PubMed

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