Implication of different initial beta blockers on treatment persistence: atenolol vs new-generation beta blocker, a population-based study

Abstract

Aim: Potential heterogeneity within the same class of drug in terms of persistence may lead to different clinical implications. Given that the increased risks of mortality and cardiovascular events are due, in part, to the lack of persistent use of antihypertensive medications, the objective of this study was to evaluate 1-year persistence of new-generation beta blockers compared to atenolol in antihypertensive treatment-naïve patients. Methods: A total of 9978 patients aged 18 years or older with hypertension newly diagnosed in 2012, without hypertension-related complication and initiated treatment with beta blocker monotherapy during 2012 were included in the analysis. Rate and duration of treatment and drug persistence were compared between atenolol and new-generation beta blockers. Hazards of discontinuation in nonatenolol compared to atenolol were evaluated using a multivariate Cox proportional model. Results: The rate of treatment persistence was higher in the nonatenolol group (57.35% vs 53.40%, P