Pattern of Medication Use among Hypertensives Attending a Specialist Outpatients Clinic in North-Central Nigeria

Background: Hypertension is the commonest cardiovascular risk factor encountered in Cardiology Clinics in Nigeria. The aim of this study was to assess the prescribing pattern of antihypertensive medications and conformity to guidelines by physicians at the Cardiology Clinic of Federal Medical Centre, Bida North-Central Nigeria.

Study Design: Cross-sectional, hospital-based study.

Place and Duration of Study: Cardiology clinic of Federal Medical Centre, Bida, North-Central Nigeria, between October and December 2016.

Methodology: We recruited 271 hypertensives (202 women, 69 men; age range 20-90 years) to assess the prescribing pattern of antihypertensive medications among hypertensive patients by Physicians. Data collection was done using a semi-structured questionnaire. The age, sex, occupation, level of education and hypertensive medications were noted.

Results: The mean number of drugs used by the patient was 2.26 ± 0.81. The most commonly prescribed antihypertensive drug either alone or in combination was diuretics (78.2%). Others include calcium channel blockers (CCBs) (60.1%), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) (57.6%), β blockers (13.7%), centrally acting drugs CAD (13.3%) and angiotensin receptor blockers ARBs (3.3%).42.8% were rseceiving two drugs, 35.4% three drugs, 3.7% four drugs, and 0.4% five drugs. Most of the hypertensives were on more than one drug (82.3%) compared to 17.7%).

Conclusion: The most commonly prescribed class of antihypertensive drug was diuretics alone or in combination. Most of the hypertensive patients received more than one drug and the prescription pattern conforms to the guidelines.