Survey of hypertension in Dhaka, Bangladesh: Changing prescribing patterns

Abstract

Purpose: To assess changes in the prescribing pattern of antihypertensive drugs and lifestyle factors associated with hypertensive patients in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 50 hypertensive patients in various heart disease hospitals and the consulting rooms of 10 cardiologists in the city of Dhaka to determine changes in prescribing patterns of antihypertensive drugs. Respondents were distributed more or less equally between males and the females. Results: Female patients aged 30 to 40 years (8%) as well as male patients aged 50 to 60 years (54%) and 60 to 70 years (12%) were prone to hypertension. However, patients of both sexes whose age ranged from 40 to 50 (40%) and 50 to 60 (36%) were more prone to hypertension. It was observed that 46% of the patients were overweight. A majority of the patients had diabetes with hypertension (28%). Moreover, most of the patients (80%) did not indulge in any physical exercise and were non-smokers but had a family history of hypertension. Combined antihypertensive drugs, especially thiazide diuretics with angiotensin II receptor blockers, calcium antagonists, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors were the first choice of drugs by physicians. The prescribing rate of β-blockers (28.36%) and combined antihypertensive preparations (40%) was higher than that of older antihypertensives, viz loop diuretics, propranolol and enalapril. Conclusion: Combination therapy is favored by all doctors who compared with the past prescribing practice of a single medication for hypertension.