Change of Selection to Antihypertensive Drugs in Hypertensive Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: In Pohang · Gyeongju Primary Care Research Network

Abstract

Background: Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or Angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers (ARBs) are drugs for hypertensive patients with diabetes mellitus. But prescription rate in 2005 year study of Pohang · Gyeongju area was only 30.8%. Therefore, a study on the change of prescription rate in the same area after 3 years was done. Methods: During three months from January 2008, 152 hypertensive patients with diabetes mellitus on their prescribed antihypertensive medications by 9 family physicians in visiting order were analyzed. After the analysis, the infl uencing factors for such prescriptions were ascertained by directly visiting each physicians who prescribed them. Results: A regimen of 16 antihypertensive agents were prescribed by these family physicians. Prescription count of ACEIs or ARBs was 101 cases (66.4%). ACEIs single therapy was 19 cases (12.5%), ACEIs combination therapy was 7 cases (4.6%), ARBs single therapy was 31 cases (20.4%) and ARBs combination therapy was 44 cases (28.9%). The ACEIs or ARBs which were selected by physicians that followed compelling indication was 5 (55.6%), reduce pressure effect was 3 (33.3%) and public relations of new medicine was 1 (11.1%). Conclusion: In prescribing antihypertensive agents for patients with diabetes mellitus, selection of ACEIs or ARBs was increased from 30.8% to 66.4%. Education of recommended standard by participating in such study and developing of excellent new medicines may increase such change.