Case-card survey on hypotensive treatment in elderly in three different types of medical facilities

Abstract

A case-card survey was carried out to understand trends of hypotensive treatment in elderly in comparison with non-elderly subjects. Data were obtained from 2,897 cases including 1,422 elderly (> or = 65 years old) and 1,475 non-elderly hypertensives (< 65 years old) collected from Sapporo Medical University Hospital and related medical facilities. In the total group of 2,879 cases, frequencies of use of hypotensive drugs were as follows: Ca antagonists, 76.3%, beta-blockers, 31.4%; ACE-inhibitors, 25.1%; diuretics, 18.1; alpha 1-blockers, 10.5%; potassium sparing diuretics, 8.8%. In the elderly group, beta-blockers and ACE-inhibitors were used less frequently than in non-elderly hypertensives. On the contrary, diuretics were administered more frequently in elderly than in non-elderly subjects. Comparing the usage of hypotonics among different types of medical facilities, higher frequencies of use of beta-blockers and diuretics were observed in the university hospital than in general hospitals and private hospitals or clinics. ACE-inhibitors were used less frequently in private facilities than in the university hospital and general hospital. In summary, Ca antagonists were used most frequently in both non-elderly and elderly subjects, and in all three different types of medical facilities. Other hypotonics were used differently according to patients age. There was differences in the usage of drugs apart from Ca antagonists among the three different types of medical facilities.