Pattern of Antihypertensive Treatment and Blood Pressure Control among Diabetic Outpatients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertension and diabetes mellitus are currently the usual causes of morbidity and mortality among non-communicable diseases in both developed and developing countries. When occur together, the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases will double. Objective: This study was intended to assess the antihypertensive drug prescription pattern and blood pressure control among diabetic outpatients at St. Paul's tertiary Hospital in Addis Ababa. Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study design was used to review the medical registries of 484 diabetic-hypertensive outpatients seen between February 1st 2016 and July 30 2016. Results: The most commonly used antihypertensive drug classes in our patients were angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor in 283 (58.5%), calcium channel blocker in 218 (45%) and beta blocker in 61 (12.8%) patients. The most commonly used monotherapy is angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor in 110 (22.7%), calcium channel blocker in 89 (18.4%) and diuretic in 25 (5.2%). The currently recommended target systolic blood pressure <140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure <90 mmHg was achieved in 176 (36.4%) patients while the majority 308 (63.6%) did not attain the target blood pressure. Renal function was assessed in 484 (100%) patients, of whom 24 (5%) had renal impairment with an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min/1.73m(2). Conclusion: The antihypertensive drug treatment pattern in our patients was in agreement with the current treatment guidelines. However, blood pressure control in the majority of patients is not adequate.