A prospective observational study to monitor the prescription pattern of anti-hypertensive drugs in a tertiary care hospital in Kashmir, India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20254151Keywords:
Antihypertensive drugs, Tertiary care, Observational study, Prescription pattern, KashmirAbstract
Background: Hypertension remains a formidable public health challenge in India, with a staggering prevalence of 29.8% in the adult population. The situation in Kashmir is particularly concerning, with hypertension prevalence reported to be as high as 45.2% in some studies.
Methods: This comprehensive study meticulously analyzed the prescription patterns of antihypertensive drugs in the general medicine outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital in Kashmir, India. A rigorous prospective observational study was conducted over six months, involving 150 hypertensive patients.
Results: The study revealed that angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), particularly telmisartan and losartan, were the most frequently prescribed class of antihypertensive drugs (40.7%), followed closely by calcium channel blockers (CCBs) such as amlodipine and cilnidipine (28.7%). ACE Inhibitors like ramipril and enalapril (14.7%), beta blockers including metoprolol and atenolol (10.0%), and diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide and chlorthalidone (6.0%) were also prescribed. Monotherapy was the preferred approach in 65.3% of cases, while 34.7% received combination therapy. The study found significant associations between comorbidities and specific drug choices, with ARBs being more commonly prescribed in diabetic patients (p=0.003) and CCBs alone and with combination of ACE inhibitors and ARB’s in patients with coronary artery disease (p=0.041).
Conclusions: This research provided invaluable insights into current prescribing trends and adherence to hypertension treatment guidelines in the region, offering a foundation for future healthcare policy and practice improvements. The findings underscore the need for personalized treatment approaches and continuous medical education to ensure optimal hypertension management in this high-prevalence region.
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References
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