Hypertensive Patients under Treatment in Spain: 1990-1993

Abstract

Background: The main goal of our work was to gain knowledge from the pharmaco-epidemiological perspective on the use of anti-hypertensive drugs in our country, in order to obtain a rough estimation of the number of hypertensive patients under treatment in various Autonomous Communities. Methods: The data regarding the consumption of hypertensive drugs (mono-medicines) from 1990 to 1993 have been obtained from the Vice-Directorate General for Treatment and Pharmaceutical Planning. The methodology used to calculate the "Estimated Prevalence Patient-day" under treatment with these drugs is based on the WHO recommendations for the Studies on the use of Medicines. Estimated Prevalence of Patient-day (EPPD) has been calculated by using the Defined Daily Dosage of each anti-hypertensive drug. Results: The number of hypertensive patients under treatment with these drugs was 1.763.937, 1.966.396, 2.226.225 and 2.435.294, from 1990 to 1993, respectively. At the end of our study, in 1993, the number of hypertensive patients under treatment in Spain is nearly 50% of the total number of hypertensive patients. There are some differences amongst regions; thus, the Autonomous Communities of Aragón, Castilla-La Mancha, Cataluña, País Valenciano and Murcia are noticeable as regions where the number of hypertensive patients treated exceeds thenational average. Conclusions:The number of hypertensive patients under treatment has considerably increased between 1990 to 1993 (+ 40%). An increase is observed in the number of hypertensive patients treated with calcium antagonists and ECA inhibitors and a decrease is observed in the proportion of hypertensive patients under treatment with Beta-blockers and diuretics