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PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
2
pubmed:dateCreated
2000-3-21
pubmed:abstractText
Calcium channel blockers and ACE-inhibitors are among the most common drugs prescribed for the initial treatment of hypertension. While their ability to control surrogate outcomes, such as blood pressure and left ventricular hypertrophy, is proven, there is limited evidence of their prevention of major cardiovascular events, including mortality. The aim of our work was to assess the use of these drugs in Italy in comparison with beta-blockers and diuretics. We examined the consumption of the four main antihypertensive classes of drugs (beta-blockers, diuretics, calcium channel blockers and ACE- inhibitors). In-hospitalization data from the GIFA (Gruppo Italiano di Farmacoepidemiologia nell'Anziano) database were used. During the period from 1988 to 1995, the most frequently prescribed antihypertensive drugs were calcium channel blockers (47%) followed by diuretics (37%), ACE-inhibitors (33%) and beta-blockers (5.5%). Changes over time in the use of these drugs were analysed: ACE-inhibitors had the greatest increase in use over time. Calcium channel blockers, ACE-inhibitors and beta-blockers were usually prescribed to the youngest patients (aged <65 years), while diuretics to the oldest. Calcium channel blockers were prescribed to 60% of patients with myocardial infarction and to 55% of those with congestive heart failure. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that the Italian physicians very often prescribe drugs like calcium channel blockers and ACE-inhibitors. Among these pharmacological agents, enalapril (twice per day) and slow release calcium channel blockers are the most frequently prescribed drugs.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Feb
pubmed:issn
1043-6618
pubmed:author
pubmed:copyrightInfo
Copyright 2000 Academic Press.
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
41
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
249-53
pubmed:dateRevised
2008-11-21
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2000
pubmed:articleTitle
Use of antihypertensive drugs in the Italian hospitals. GIFA group. Gruppo Italiano di Farmacoepidemiologia nell'Anziano.
pubmed:affiliation
Dipartimento di Farmacologia Preclinica e Clinica, Universita degli Studi di Firenze, V.le Pieraccini no. 6, Firenze, 50139, Italy,
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article