An Analysis of Medication Prescriptions for Hypertension in Urban and Rural Residents in Tianjin

Introduction: This study aims to examine the medication prescriptions for hypertension in Tianjin.

Methods: Patients with hypertension in Tianjin were enrolled in this study. The patients' ages ranged from 35 to 75 years. A questionnaire survey and physical examination were completed to collect clinical data. Thereafter, a statistical analysis of the medication prescriptions was conducted with different age groups and different grades of hypertension.

Results: The results show that, in the total population, and for the young, middle-aged, and older groups, the proportions of single-drug use were 62.97%, 59.26%, 62.76%, and 63.49%, respectively, and the highest rate was for calcium channel blocker (CCB) use. The rates of the two drug classes were 24.51%, 29.63%, 25.13%, and 23.15%, respectively. The drug use rate of CCBs combined with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor antagonists (ARBs) was the highest. The rates of the three drug classes were 4.08%, 4.94%, 4.36%, and 3.52%, respectively, and the highest was ACEI/ARB and CCB combined with diuretics. The rates of the four drug classes were low. Regarding the hypertension grade, in grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3, the rates of single-drug use were 63.53%, 62.69%, and 58.38%, respectively. The rates of the two drug classes were 24.62%, 23.97%, and 25.05%, while the rates of the three drug classes were 3.86%, 4.39%, and 5.34%, respectively.

Conclusion: The rate of single-drug use was high, and the rate of combined drug use in the youth group was slightly higher than in the middle-aged and older age groups. The combination of two drugs was common. In grades 2 and 3 hypertension, the rate of combined drug use remained low.