Russian medical society expert consensus on arterial hypertension: use of fixed combinations in the treatment of patients with arterial hypertension

Abstract

Despite the large arsenal of antihypertensive agents, BP control, both in Europe and in Russia, remains at a low level, more than 50% patients do not reach the goal BP levels. At the same time, data from the results of RCTs demonstrate that the achievement of goal BP values is possible in most patients, no more than 5-10% of patients have resistance to antihypertensive therapy. Sufficient evidence has been accumulated that low adherence to treatment remains afundamental contributing factor to insufficient BP control. There is evidence that adherence to treatment closely correlates with the complex dosing regimen of the drugs and the number of tablets taken. Low adherence has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular complications. Furthermore, evidence suggests that medical inertia contributes to treatment failure in patients remaining on monotherapy or receiving inadequate suboptimal therapy. The use of combination therapy, including the use of fixed combinations in most patients, can help to solve both problems. This consensus focuses on various issues related to the prescription of combination therapy in the form of fixed combinations and polypill.