Abstract
ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE Analyze the use of antihypertensives among seniors and the association with socioeconomic and behavioral characteristics.METHODS In this seriate cross-sectional study, we used data from the Saúde, Bem Estar e Envelhecimento study (SABE – Health, Well-being, and Aging), conducted in 2000, 2006, and 2010 in the city of São Paulo. Association between the use of antihypertensives and the demographic, behavioral, and socioeconomic characteristics and risk factors was analyzed by using multilevel logistic regression models.RESULTS We observed increased proportion of use of antihypertensive, from 48.7% in 2000 to 61.3% in 2006, reaching 65.7% in 2010. Among the seniors who made use of this type of medicine, we also observed increased adoption of combined therapy in the period, from 69.9% to 82.6% from 2000 to 2006 and reaching 91.6% in 2010. Multilevel analysis indicated statistically significant increase in use of antihypertensives, even after control by socioeconomic and behavioral characteristics, both in 2006 and in 2010 (OR = 1.90; 95%CI 1.60–2.24 and OR = 1.94; 95%CI 1.62–2.33, respectively). Use of antihypertensives showed positive association with females, higher age group, black skin color, overweight, and smoking history.CONCLUSIONS High use of antihypertensives and its association with sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics can help guide the discussion of strategies to improve the epidemiological situation, the quality of life, and the distribution of medicines to the elderly population.
Highlights
Systemic Arterial Hypertension (SAH) is considered one of the most important public health problems[26]
High use of antihypertensives and its association with sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics can help guide the discussion of strategies to improve the epidemiological situation, the quality of life, and the distribution of medicines to the elderly population
The medicines were categorized according to classification adopted by the WHO, called Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC), which discriminates the medicines according to composition, mechanism of action, and main applicability[28]
Summary
Systemic Arterial Hypertension (SAH) is considered one of the most important public health problems[26]. In addition to presenting high prevalence and low control rate, it is one of the main risk factors for brain and cardiovascular diseases, recognized as the leading causes of mortality in the world[24,26]. It is estimated that two-thirds of cerebrovascular accidents and half of all the burden of coronary heart disease can be attributed to unsatisfactory levels of arterial blood pressure[14]. SAH is generally classified as primary or secondary. Primary hypertension emerges mainly in middle age and onset of old age, and in the literature it is constantly associated to the interaction of genetic factors and lifestyle. Secondary hypertension emerges in earlier ages usually resulting from other factors as the diseases with effect on blood pressure values (e.g., kidney diseases)[23]
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