ASSESSMENT OF PRESCRIBING PATTERN FOR HYPERTENSION IN COMPARISON WITH JNC 8 GUIDELINES

H. Doddayya*, Murali Krishna K. and Sooraj Babu S. J.

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To carry out the study on prescribing pattern of antihypertensive drugs in comparison with JNC 8 guidelines. To analyse utilization of different types of antihypertensive drugs used in co-morbid conditions with JNC 8 guidelines. Materials and Methods: A prospective, observational study was carried out in 130 inpatients of general medicine department over a period of six months at a tertiary care teaching hospital. A data entry form was specially designed for the collection of data. Recently published JNC guidelines (JNC 8) recommendations were followed for assessing the prescribing pattern and appropriateness of the antihypertensive drugs prescribed. Results: Out of 130 inpatients, 47% were Males and 53% were Females. In this study the age groups are taken as 64 years and below and 65years and above. The classes of drug which are used for managing hypertensive cases and along with it associated co-morbidity are as follows, arranging in descending order; CCB(39.7%) followed by ARBs(35%), beta-blockers(14.3%), diuretics(10.6%) and ACEI(0.4%). Conclusion: The most common drug classes included in the study was calcium channel blockers followed by ARBs. Both mono therapy and combination therapy were followed. Prescribing patterns among antihypertensive drugs shows some irrationalities to the existing evidence based JNC 8 guidelines.

Keywords: Hypertension, co-morbidities, combination therapy, JNC 8 guidelines.